Project by ruddy | posted 09-05-2013 06:52 AM | 5325 views | 32 times favorited | 38 comments | ![]() |
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Inside a banksia nut Mother Nature has a hidden treasure that rarely gets discovered. On this box I made the lid insert from banksia nuts that were cut radially to get the beautiful array as a feature. The discs were cut and assembled to get the pattern to show off the radiating flecks. Banksia nuts are very hard and when machined and sanded yield a surface that polishes well.
You can see in this picture, Mother Nature at her best.
The box is an Asian Style that I favour not only because of the appearance but also, with a divided tray and a drawer, it is a very practical box. The box is made from Australian Rosewood and the four corner posts are American Oak. The tray under the lid is fixed in place so that the lid hinges to about 95 degrees and is made from one piece of rosewood.
The box measures approx. 300 mm x 200 mm x 130 mm high.
-- And my head I'd be a scratchin'
38 comments so far
TopamaxSurvivor
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20007 posts in 4645 days
#1 posted 09-05-2013 07:13 AM
Nice work. This should make top 3!
-- Bob in WW ~ "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence
WoodenFrog
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2737 posts in 3882 days
#2 posted 09-05-2013 07:40 AM
Awesome very cool!! I like this box!
-- Robert B. Sabina, Ohio..... http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodenfrogWoodenProd
Jim Rowe
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1123 posts in 3282 days
#3 posted 09-05-2013 07:46 AM
Beautiful! The Banksia insert is stunning.
Jim
-- It always looks better when it's finished!
Ken90712
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17919 posts in 4158 days
#4 posted 09-05-2013 08:09 AM
A work of art! the inside divider is amazing!
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
stefang
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17040 posts in 4303 days
#5 posted 09-05-2013 08:38 AM
Wonderful box Ruddy. Great design and craftsmanship. I love it here in Norway, but I would almost move to Australia just for the wood varieties there. I love the way you used that Banksia nut. Very creative. I have one that I got about 16 years ago to turn, but never did. After seeing your box, I may use it differently now.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
Doe
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1437 posts in 3799 days
#6 posted 09-05-2013 08:50 AM
Amazing! How did you cut the banksia slices to fit so tightly?
-- Mother Nature talks, I try to listen
spud72
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333 posts in 4463 days
#7 posted 09-05-2013 10:26 AM
Very well done. it’s lovely
-- Guy,PEI
kdc68
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2992 posts in 3246 days
#8 posted 09-05-2013 10:33 AM
Wow !!..... Amazing craftsmanship! ....Absolutely beautiful!
-- Measure "at least" twice and cut once
Kaleb the Swede
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1980 posts in 2939 days
#9 posted 09-05-2013 10:48 AM
Now that is amazing. Great work
-- Just trying to build something beautiful
aussiedave
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3114 posts in 2793 days
#10 posted 09-05-2013 11:00 AM
That is an amazing box…love the way you did the inside segmented…simply awesome, my favorite today.
-- Dave.......If at first you don’t succeed redefine success....
Jim Rowe
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1123 posts in 3282 days
#11 posted 09-05-2013 11:17 AM
Beautiful! The Banksia insert is stunning. Somehow managed to post this twice!
Jim
-- It always looks better when it's finished!
ruddy
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550 posts in 3908 days
#12 posted 09-05-2013 12:04 PM
Thanks for the positive comments.
Stefan, just make sure you wear a mask when you start making sawdust with the banksia nut. The outside of the nuts have fine spores that can be nasty.
Jim, I do that doubling up fiasco all the time, must be something to do with the date of birth being so far back.
Doe, I made a jig that allowed the discs to locate correctly and then index 120 degrees to make the next cut.
-- And my head I'd be a scratchin'
BritBoxmaker
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4611 posts in 4005 days
#13 posted 09-05-2013 12:10 PM
A fine box, well made, Ruddy. The Banksia cone feature is a stunner.
-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging.
Roger
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21047 posts in 3773 days
#14 posted 09-05-2013 12:39 PM
Very awesome. I like the wood combos. That Banksia really goes gr8. I also like the way you sculpted the inside tray, way kool.
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. [email protected]
489tad
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3968 posts in 3981 days
#15 posted 09-05-2013 12:50 PM
That box is just crazy! What are the pulls made of? That is a great piece.
-- Dan, Naperville IL, I.G.N.
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