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One of my successful designs so far.

This is a nice and large tool caddy. It measures 17" by 9", 9 1/2" tall. The sides are Ambrosia Maple and the ends Walnut. This handle is Birch and the bottom is Lyptus (for durability). I made one with an Osage Orange handle and that was the first one to sell. To be repeated. Finished with multiple coats of Tung Oil and polished with Paste Wax. Before the Tung Oil, sanded up to 600 grit, these puppies sell once people touch the smooth, polished wood. But I do this because I love being obsessed with a quality finish. Why put the effort into making something from wood and then not do all you can to let the beauty of the wood reveal itself.

This finish is very good; I knocked over a cup of Hide Glue and found the corner of mine in the puddle. A quick wipe with a damp cloth and good as new.

I've made a total of seven to sell and have sold six during two fairs. I will be making more. But I am thinking I will also make some smaller. People are always asking if they can buy mine, which is about 70% smaller. I get tempted to sell it, but my wife reminds me I should not. I need to keep something I've made for myself.

The hardest part about repeating this build is finding beautiful planks of the Ambrosia.

Edit: Added a photo showing the detail for the Osage Orange handle.

Gallery

Comments

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This is beautiful!
What's the dark wood which borders the maple in the box joint fingers?
 

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Almost too beautiful for tools!
 

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The color of the wood shows up very nicely! Is it because of the Tung Oil? I'vebeen using poly only and get an amber like color all the time
 

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@ybotyawnoc, the dark wood that borders the Maple is the Walnut, as the light wood that borders the Walnut is more the Maple.

@Monte Pittman, I've heard that a lot this past weekend! One of the reasons for just using a Tung Oil finish: easy to refresh after much use.

@Valentin, Yes, it is the Tung Oil. It is a patient person's finish, but I have had a hard time finding another finish that brings out the character of a wood without coloring it too much. Of course, for more delicate items, little compares to following the Tung Oil with some Shellac. But I'm old school like that.
 

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That wood is just wonderful. You are right, needs the proper finishing to show off her beauty.
 

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Love the ambrosia maple and walnut combo.
What did you use to make the joints?
 

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Nick, beautiful design and great sense of proportions. Have you had any problems with the grain splitting above the handle? Tung oil does give a great finish. I have compromised with first coat of tung oil followed by three of poly on my recent boxes. I love the color the oil gives to the grain. Do you use steel wool between coats? This is another design that might give you something to ponder, but I really enjoy seeing what you have done here. I would love to see more of your work than the three projects you have posted. Keep boxing and keep posting.
 

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nice job, love the contrasting woods. are you getting enough money for the time spent on each box?
love to see how the osage orange looks with the walnut and maple, next time you have one.
 

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that turned out really beautiful, what a great place to carry your tools, i just bought 16 bd ft of ambrosia a few days ago, but its not quite as nice as this, i have different plans for mine this time, but i think after seeing how your project turned out, i will use this in the future for a project i have in mind, this is good inspiration..
 

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@doordude, I found I did have a decent photo of the Osage Orange handle detail and and added it to the gallery.
Money-wise, they work out well. Takes me about 4 days to make 4 and I sell them for $100/each. And for now, that is my mark.
 

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That's too pretty to put tools in. Nice work.
 

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@Boxguy, On the prototype, I did have a problem with the grain on the Walnut splitting above the handle. Now I make sure the tenon is just hair undersized against the Walnut's grain and all is good. The mortise is routed with an inlay template, so the stresses are minimal during cutting.

Re: Tung Oil. With these items, I always do the build a couple weeks before I need them so I can give each of the two coats time to dry. And yes, I steel wool between coats and before the Paste Wax. Something to do while watching Walking Dead (go zombies!)

I like your design, I'll keep it in mind. And I will post some more of my recent builds; just finished an epic build marathon and would love feedback on the results before the next one starts up.
 

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@tomd, You don't know how many times I heard that is this past weekend. I had my mobile bench with me, with my prototype sitting on the corner with all my marking and measuring tools inside. I would point people to it and show them as nice as it looks, it is up to the task of being useful. One of the key reasons to only finish with Tung Oil is so the finish can be replenished once wear starts to take its toll.
 

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thanks affinecreations. the osage looks great. thats a good price for the tote,if it works, keep on sellin
 

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I really like the look of this thing. The colors of the wood contrast perfectly while highlighting the joinery. The double box joints look great.
 
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