Project by Mean_Dean | posted 10-12-2013 01:00 AM | 17512 views | 29 times favorited | 36 comments | ![]() |
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I needed a valet box to hold keys, wallet, watch, and other items, instead of leaving them on the kitchen counter, and decided on this box design, which I found in a box-making book.
It’s made of African mahogany and Peruvian walnut, with a frame and panel lid, and a base/carcase out of the contrasting woods. It’s lined with dark brown suede cloth, and is finished with 3 coats of home-made Danish oil.
It’s dimensions are: 13”L x 9 1/2”W x 3 3/4”H.
And now, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly:
The Good: the lid. I glued up the panel, and you can’t see the seam. The frame and panel design really highlights the beauty of the mahogany panel. The walnut keys really accent the carcase. Also, as it turns out, the Freud FTG sawblade, and the 1/8” setting on my planer are in exact alignment—the keys fit perfectly the first time!
Additionally, I used a Wixey digital angle guage to set the 45 degree angle of the sawblade, and the miters on the carcase were airtight the first time.
The Bad: The Peruvian walnut may be a bit dark, with too much contrast between it and the mahogany.
The Ugly: The rear “foot” piece is about 1/32” too long, and you can notice it if you look for it. I think my stop block may not have been clamped down tight enough, and moved when I butted the piece against it.
Thanks for looking, and as always, comments are appreciated!
-- Dean -- "Don't give up the ship -- fight her 'till she sinks!" Capt James Lawrence USN
36 comments so far
Gary
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#1 posted 10-12-2013 01:06 AM
I like it a lot. I think the woods are perfect.
It’s pretty easy to fix that foot problem with a full sheet of sandpaper and a flat surface
Great work
-- Gary, DeKalb Texas only 4 miles from the mill
HillbillyShooter
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#2 posted 10-12-2013 01:16 AM
Very attractive box, and I like the contrast between your wood choices.
-- John C. -- "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." George Washington
kdc68
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#3 posted 10-12-2013 01:20 AM
This is a real beauty….+1 Gary & HillbillyShooter…I too think the woods work well with each other….IMO too much criticism in your project post…great design and execution…nicely done !
-- Measure "at least" twice and cut once
a1Jim
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#4 posted 10-12-2013 01:44 AM
A beautiful box and a good clean build.
-- https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos
garriv777
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#5 posted 10-12-2013 01:57 AM
There is no ” ugly ”, it’s a beautiful box…....:). Nice work!
Andy
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#6 posted 10-12-2013 01:58 AM
Sweet looking box, looks fine to me.
-- If I can do it, so can you.
Monte Pittman
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#7 posted 10-12-2013 04:30 AM
I think the contrast is beautiful. Great job.
-- Nature created it, I just assemble it.
WoodenFrog
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#8 posted 10-12-2013 05:44 AM
Beautiful box!! Very nice!!!
-- Robert B. Sabina, Ohio..... http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodenfrogWoodenProd
MisterBill
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#9 posted 10-12-2013 11:02 AM
I like the stepped keys. It gives you box an added touch of class.
RogerBean
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#10 posted 10-12-2013 12:31 PM
Nicely done! A clean, tasteful design well executed. It’s what we all strive for. Hope to see more boxes from you.
Roger
-- "Everybody makes mistakes. A craftsman always fixes them." (Monty Kennedy, "The Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks", 1952)
stefang
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#11 posted 10-12-2013 01:04 PM
I second all the above comments. I can’t find anything about it that I don’t like including the wood colors. Great work and a great design too!
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
Gene Howe
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#12 posted 10-12-2013 01:12 PM
Like mike, there is nothing to dislike about that box. Clean, unadorned, not gaudy, the contrasts are tasteful and it displays excellent workmanship. And, hey. What’s a mere 1/32 among friends?
Great job!
-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
BrentKistner
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#13 posted 10-12-2013 01:29 PM
I really like the whole thing. Excellent design and execution. The woods contrast very nicely, in my humble opinion. Really clean and classy looking. :)
-- "Out of the darkness back into the darkness- affairs of the cat."
BTimmons
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#14 posted 10-12-2013 03:37 PM
Looks pretty great to me. Nice wood choice and proportions.
-- Brian Timmons - http://www.BigTWoodworks.com
aussiedave
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#15 posted 10-12-2013 06:15 PM
Beautiful box Dean. I think the two woods go together well, there is no problem of contrast for me…Great job.
-- Dave.......If at first you don’t succeed redefine success....
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