Little Boxes

[fuchsiaprincess]

At long last I have access to a camera and can show you Michael's fine work. My daughter says it looks like an ice cream sandwich. The walnut stain on the inner lip is a really nice idea. The slot turned out to be just a bit tight for a Parker Vacumatic, but is exactly right for this 1942 Duovac, which you can see in it. Sorry for the quality of the pictures. I do not take pictures very often and need much more practice.

 

 

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx153/FPWriter/box4.jpg

 

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx153/FPWriter/box3.jpg

 

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx153/FPWriter/box1.jpg

 

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx153/FPWriter/box2.jpg

 

 

 

Thanks so much for this box, Michael. It is now permanently ensconced on my desk and consequently that Duovac is going to be getting a lot more love.

 

Hi Scrawler, how are you? It's lovely to 'see' you around Hope you and the family are well.

[Scrawler]

 

 

Hi Scrawler, how are you? It's lovely to 'see' you around Hope you and the family are well.

Hi Princess, nice to see you to. I will have a bit of down time soon so I will be in touch in the near future. So that box is for you is it? I was going to make an offer for it LOL.

[stevesurf]

At long last I have access to a camera and can show you Michael's fine work. My daughter says it looks like an ice cream sandwich. The walnut stain on the inner lip is a really nice idea. The slot turned out to be just a bit tight for a Parker Vacumatic, but is exactly right for this 1942 Duovac, which you can see in it. Sorry for the quality of the pictures. I do not take pictures very often and need much more practice.

 

 

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx153/FPWriter/box4.jpg

Thanks so much for this box, Michael. It is now permanently ensconced on my desk and consequently that Duovac is going to be getting a lot more love.

 

This is absolutely wonderful work! It is made so much more special knowing the labor and love put into it. When I get my desk back I am definitely getting one

[Scrawler]

Thanks Scrawler it is really strange to see the box on your desk so far away from here.

I am also pleased you have a pen that fits in it.

 

<snip>

 

Thanks for looking

Michael

It must be very strange to see your work 6000 miles away, in the middle of nowhere. I am rather lucky to have that pen to put in it. I thought it was a write off. Someone had super glued the plunger in and it had to be drilled out and an insert made. Of course, it has no real value now, but at least it is pretty and it works. It is a lovely snug fit and the box is just the desk ornament I needed.

[Scrawler]

 

This is absolutely wonderful work! It is made so much more special knowing the labor and love put into it. When I get my desk back I am definitely getting one

The idea that I almost know the person whose hands made it gives an undefinable added beauty to it. It is actually much prettier than my photos show.

[my63]

Hi Scrawler

The box was desgined for the pen to sit on rather than in if you know what I mean.

Do you think it would be better if the pen sat inside the slot please let me know your thoughts.

Feedback will help me to improve the desgin.

This is the finished picture I took of the box before shipping.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8134152775_a815d74950_z.jpg

IMG_2363 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Fuchsiaprincess your box is almost finished a little more sanding and then it will be time for the finish.

I need to look at hinges next I dont think the small box hinges will be strong enough if anyone has any ideas I would appreciate any advice.

It is half term here this week so that may delay things a little

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[my63]

The princess box as I call it is ready for its finish however I am unhappy with the final product.

As it is made from solid oak top and bottom this means that end grain can be seen and the mitred corners are not as good as I would like.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8135786486_e78c533c5b_z.jpg

IMG_2564 by my0771, on Flickr

 

the remit was for a light wood box I am thinking of using burr maple as I dont have any oak veneer.

Anyone got any thoughts

Michael

[my63]

Ok I am well on the way to finishing this little box

It now looks like this

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8465/8142342204_07f4951b62_z.jpg

IMG_2597 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/8142349950_96ea9a6cd1_z.jpg

IMG_2608 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am much happier with this look at the moment it is sanded without finish.

I actually have two of these boxes on the go at the same time I was unsure about the size of this box so I made a slightly larger one.

The larger box is going to be the opposite of this one very dark I have some lovely rose wood but only enough to cover the top if I can find something suitable for the rest of the box we will see how it looks.

 

thanks for looking

Michael

[Scrawler]

I wish I could send you a some of my trees, I know you would put them to good use.

[my63]

Thanks scrawler I am sure there is some maple over there this looks really nice with a first coat of sealer.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8142699316_c12ee19070_z.jpg

IMG_2609 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am still unsure about the finish wax or all out french polish what do you think?

Still need to sort hinges and cut the final piece of leather for the inside of the lid.

Thanks

Michael

[fuchsiaprincess]

French polish, pretty please You have done an absolutely amazing job with the veneer!

[Scrawler]

Thanks scrawler I am sure there is some maple over there this looks really nice with a first coat of sealer.

 

 

If only I had some way to get it to you. I have red and white oak, and lots of maple. About 1 in 200 trees is birds eye. I saw a huge bolus on one yesterday and thought about you. Problem is, it involves a long hike carting a chain saw.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Scrawler

[Scrawler]

French polish, pretty please You have done an absolutely amazing job with the veneer!

You will like the French Polish

[my63]

Ok French polish it is I will make a new rubber (that is what you use to apply the polish) tomorrow.

[legume]

These are lovely! They remind me of a little brown clam-shell box I left back home. I think it is a pen box but it was too small for any of mine.

[my63]

french polish day 1

I put a first coat on last night and rubbed it back this morning.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8145255899_78e361dedd_z.jpg

IMG_2622 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8145286704_47dbaced91_z.jpg

IMG_2623 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Over the day I have put about 20 coats of polish on this box and then rubbed some of it off.

The process will continue until the required finish is achieved.

Michael

[fuchsiaprincess]

[my63]

Early start today I know it does not look like it in the picture but I have rubbed most of the shine off this polish honest

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8147275038_c3d6c065a1_z.jpg

IMG_2628 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8147274738_97e771510d_z.jpg

IMG_2627 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Michael

[my63]

The base is now complete well except for the felt well so it is almost complete

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/8151224236_be4c64795b_z.jpg

IMG_2640 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8324/8151198459_b87d2ceebc_z.jpg

IMG_2636 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It holds six pens here are some of the pens in my restoration queue

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8151219955_2035393437_z.jpg

IMG_2650 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The lid is being a little more difficult to french polish as it is so light in colour it shows up every mark and line left by the rubber.

 

Hopefully the next pictures you see the two halves will be reunited and they will be posted by someone else providing I can get the polish right :embarrassed_smile:

 

Thanks

michael

[Scrawler]

Your polishing has added a lovely depth to the wood.

 

I see you are a Parker fan.