Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry
Christmas Present for my Granddaughter
- North Country Gal
- Firearms Advisor
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- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
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- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: Christmas Present for my Granddaughter
I worked for a while yesterday afternoon, after searching thru the boathouse barn converted to my wood storage. I found several treasures. I did find a couple nice pieces to make the frame pieces out of, and set up the power planer for the initial run, as this was a rough plank with bark still on the sides and one end about seven and a half feet long.
As I planed off the milling marks from the huge saw blade, and some remnants of bark on the end, the oddest thing occurred. Never seen it before. It appears that the bark has dyed the wood below in a very unique pattern. I cut off that end piece and will make a top for a box from it. I'll probably keep that box for myself. I'll be very careful in finishing the box, wouldn't want to cut thru this pattern while shaping... Anyway, processing the board was a long process, and required a number of passes thru the planer. In addition, there was a slight bend in the board toward the end, so I had to cut the long board and process it in two pieces to straighten it, without losing a lot of thickness. I will run this through the bandsaw and cut it into two or three boards then again to bookmatch those boards, as they frames are for aesthetics. They don't have to be really thick.
I did find two other beautiful treasures hiding in the wood storage. (three actually.)
A piece gorgeous Curly Cherry, 4' x 6" one inch thick... (on the far left)
and a piece of Cocobolo 3' x 5-1/2" one in thick. cocobolo is highly prized for gun stocks, pistol grips, and knife scales. This piece is highly figured.
(to the right of the curly cherry board) There was also a black cherry board about 6' but I forgot to bring that one back to the shop. Sheesh. (face palm) Memory... I need one.
I will get back out to the shop today if I can, and finish processing this wood so I can start on the framing of the box. Then comes the fun part, the enhancements.
BTW... this is Miss Tina's Curly Cherry Jewelry Box I made for her years ago. The entire box is hand made, including all the trim. Took me weeks, as my job left me only a few hours each day to work on it. One of the women I worked with saw the pics and asked how much a box like that would run... I told her that the SINGLE board that I made the box from, a 12" wide, 6' long, one inch thick board cost $85, the hinges were $40 or so... and I couldn't guess how many hours. I figured $250 to $300. I thought the woman's sister standing beside her was going to have a stroke.
"I can get a beautiful painted jewry box at the Kmart for $35!" she almost screamed.
Her sister, my friend, looked at her.
"Then that is where you should buy YOUR jewelry boxes baby."
She didn't order that box, but she did order one of these made from Australian Lacewood. It wasn't cheap, but I priced it very fair for her.
She wanted it to keep her recently deceased Father's personal items in.
As I planed off the milling marks from the huge saw blade, and some remnants of bark on the end, the oddest thing occurred. Never seen it before. It appears that the bark has dyed the wood below in a very unique pattern. I cut off that end piece and will make a top for a box from it. I'll probably keep that box for myself. I'll be very careful in finishing the box, wouldn't want to cut thru this pattern while shaping... Anyway, processing the board was a long process, and required a number of passes thru the planer. In addition, there was a slight bend in the board toward the end, so I had to cut the long board and process it in two pieces to straighten it, without losing a lot of thickness. I will run this through the bandsaw and cut it into two or three boards then again to bookmatch those boards, as they frames are for aesthetics. They don't have to be really thick.
I did find two other beautiful treasures hiding in the wood storage. (three actually.)
A piece gorgeous Curly Cherry, 4' x 6" one inch thick... (on the far left)
and a piece of Cocobolo 3' x 5-1/2" one in thick. cocobolo is highly prized for gun stocks, pistol grips, and knife scales. This piece is highly figured.
(to the right of the curly cherry board) There was also a black cherry board about 6' but I forgot to bring that one back to the shop. Sheesh. (face palm) Memory... I need one.
I will get back out to the shop today if I can, and finish processing this wood so I can start on the framing of the box. Then comes the fun part, the enhancements.
BTW... this is Miss Tina's Curly Cherry Jewelry Box I made for her years ago. The entire box is hand made, including all the trim. Took me weeks, as my job left me only a few hours each day to work on it. One of the women I worked with saw the pics and asked how much a box like that would run... I told her that the SINGLE board that I made the box from, a 12" wide, 6' long, one inch thick board cost $85, the hinges were $40 or so... and I couldn't guess how many hours. I figured $250 to $300. I thought the woman's sister standing beside her was going to have a stroke.
"I can get a beautiful painted jewry box at the Kmart for $35!" she almost screamed.
Her sister, my friend, looked at her.
"Then that is where you should buy YOUR jewelry boxes baby."
She didn't order that box, but she did order one of these made from Australian Lacewood. It wasn't cheap, but I priced it very fair for her.
She wanted it to keep her recently deceased Father's personal items in.
0 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
- clovishound
- Drover
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- Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2016 4:18 pm
- Location: Summerville SC
Re: Christmas Present for my Granddaughter
Be careful with that cocobolo. I turned a piece of it years ago. Ended up with a really, really nasty poison ivy like rash all over my arms, neck and even my chest, where the shavings fell inside my shirt. The rash lasted for a month and a half. Drove me crazy. Fortunately, I was wearing breathing protection.
0 x
There is, I think, humor here which does not translate well from English to sanity. - Sanya
- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5783
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: Christmas Present for my Granddaughter
Spent a couple hours in the shop this morning, working my way thru the two boards I planned to use as framing on the toy box. Once I got out there, I rethought my plan, and drew a line down the side of each board to give me a straight edge, and then ran both across the table saw until I had a collection of 1/2 inch thick boards.
Here is the pile of processed boards. I sorted through them and tried to match the book matched boards, matching the long boards and the shorter boards so I had good pairs. Yup, there is some bend in those puppies, but when I attach them, they will be flexible enough to pull into alignment and POW, tack into place til the glue dries. We adapt and overcome.
Next session I will run these thru the planer to take off the roughness.
Decide WHICH side of each will face out.
Use a cabinet scraper to get the front face SMOOOOOTH.
Mark the back sides.
Decide on the alignment - marking where on each over length board will be the center for later installation.
AND which will be the inside edges.
THEN... I'll choose a molding plane, then sharpen the plane iron.
I'll roll the appropriately marked inside edges, which will reinforce the illusion of a picture frame.
All that may take two or three sessions. This is not something I will rush. I am pretty sure I have plenty of this walnut, but I don't think I have enough to make too many mistakes.
Then, very carefully, I will measure and cut the boards, then begin framing the front and both sides of the box. I will both glue and shoot the frame sections with brads to attach the frames to the box. The project is coming along.
Here is the pile of processed boards. I sorted through them and tried to match the book matched boards, matching the long boards and the shorter boards so I had good pairs. Yup, there is some bend in those puppies, but when I attach them, they will be flexible enough to pull into alignment and POW, tack into place til the glue dries. We adapt and overcome.
Next session I will run these thru the planer to take off the roughness.
Decide WHICH side of each will face out.
Use a cabinet scraper to get the front face SMOOOOOTH.
Mark the back sides.
Decide on the alignment - marking where on each over length board will be the center for later installation.
AND which will be the inside edges.
THEN... I'll choose a molding plane, then sharpen the plane iron.
I'll roll the appropriately marked inside edges, which will reinforce the illusion of a picture frame.
All that may take two or three sessions. This is not something I will rush. I am pretty sure I have plenty of this walnut, but I don't think I have enough to make too many mistakes.
Then, very carefully, I will measure and cut the boards, then begin framing the front and both sides of the box. I will both glue and shoot the frame sections with brads to attach the frames to the box. The project is coming along.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
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- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Another work session....
Went out and got busy again. Waiting for me was the work from yesterday, all lined up on the table saw table, all shined up, sorted and ready to go.
Before I could start the "actual" work, I chose my molding plane, pulled the iron and got out the diamond and water stones and got to sharpening. It was a touch up, but I spent about 45 minutes getting it just so. It is my Granddaughter's Toy Box after all.
I put the first frame piece full length in the vice, clamped the loose end to the table for stability, and off we go. More cheating, see the chalked notes on the back of the long board on the work bench. There is actually a good bit on info here for me. The location of the chalk itself denotes the back of the board, the bad side. The arrow points to the Inside of the frame, and I know this long piece will become the top of the frame for the front of the box. The R stands for right side of the box as I look at it. The slash beside the R reminds me to square the end before making any measurements. The exact same notes appear on the board for the bottom of the frame section.
The molding plane does a nice job reworking the profile of the little boards, turning them into the frame material. It took me a while to figure them out, but even that journey was interesting and a pleasure. I use this classic molding plane more than any of the others, and usually in this format, just rolling the edge. However, if I roll it more into the cut, it will add a beaded edge, as we saw on the White Oak and Spalted Maple box I did earlier. After about two hours in the shop, I was done with this phase, and for the day. I think I'll be cutting and fitting tomorrow. We'll get a better idea of the complimentary woods together and a good look as the box is really starting to take shape. (Hopefully.... ) Knock on wood.... get it.. .wood.
Note the cheat marks at the bottom of the pairs. The chalk marks tell me a couple things. The matched pairs and the orientation. They are only on ONE end, so I know which ends go together with the pairs.Before I could start the "actual" work, I chose my molding plane, pulled the iron and got out the diamond and water stones and got to sharpening. It was a touch up, but I spent about 45 minutes getting it just so. It is my Granddaughter's Toy Box after all.
I put the first frame piece full length in the vice, clamped the loose end to the table for stability, and off we go. More cheating, see the chalked notes on the back of the long board on the work bench. There is actually a good bit on info here for me. The location of the chalk itself denotes the back of the board, the bad side. The arrow points to the Inside of the frame, and I know this long piece will become the top of the frame for the front of the box. The R stands for right side of the box as I look at it. The slash beside the R reminds me to square the end before making any measurements. The exact same notes appear on the board for the bottom of the frame section.
The molding plane does a nice job reworking the profile of the little boards, turning them into the frame material. It took me a while to figure them out, but even that journey was interesting and a pleasure. I use this classic molding plane more than any of the others, and usually in this format, just rolling the edge. However, if I roll it more into the cut, it will add a beaded edge, as we saw on the White Oak and Spalted Maple box I did earlier. After about two hours in the shop, I was done with this phase, and for the day. I think I'll be cutting and fitting tomorrow. We'll get a better idea of the complimentary woods together and a good look as the box is really starting to take shape. (Hopefully.... ) Knock on wood.... get it.. .wood.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5783
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Long Session This Morning...
I began this morning's session by staining the "background" areas of the main box with Watco Natural oil.
But before that, as always, I took two scraps, a walnut and Maple Ply and made two test stain pieces, staining both with the Natural, Golden Oak, and Meduim Walnut Stains. My hope was that the Maple Ply would look GREAT with Medium Walnut, or that the Walnut would look Rich and Deep with the Golden Oak. No such luck. The Walnut, as expected, looked best with ... Medium Walnut Stain.
The Maple ply looked best with the Natural.
So, I marked the location of the framing pieces and stained inside the markings with a little overlap. I didn't want the oil where I needed to glue. Not a good idea. The next hour and a half was spent measuring, cutting, test fitting, trimming, test fitting, trimming, and then attaching - the framing for the front of the box. It turned out fairly well. The next session will be framing the sides. Then on to the enhancements.
But before that, as always, I took two scraps, a walnut and Maple Ply and made two test stain pieces, staining both with the Natural, Golden Oak, and Meduim Walnut Stains. My hope was that the Maple Ply would look GREAT with Medium Walnut, or that the Walnut would look Rich and Deep with the Golden Oak. No such luck. The Walnut, as expected, looked best with ... Medium Walnut Stain.
The Maple ply looked best with the Natural.
So, I marked the location of the framing pieces and stained inside the markings with a little overlap. I didn't want the oil where I needed to glue. Not a good idea. The next hour and a half was spent measuring, cutting, test fitting, trimming, test fitting, trimming, and then attaching - the framing for the front of the box. It turned out fairly well. The next session will be framing the sides. Then on to the enhancements.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5783
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: Christmas Present for my Granddaughter
What? Yup, I could have just bought cheapo, already formed molding for a couple bucks per piece and shot it on and covered it with varnish and called it done. It wouldn't be walnut trim, hand formed by Grumpy in his shop for Christmas for Izzy. I'll make a Disc with all these pics on it and include it as a part of the gift, and years later, when she is old enough... it'll mean something to her. Or not. I know it means something to my daughter. She has a number of Grumpy heirloom pieces in HER home... all are priceless to her.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5783
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: Christmas Present for my Granddaughter
Back out to the shop to try and finish the framing.
Here is a peek before the framing started on the LAST section.. (Whoo Hoo!) Now, I don't want to slip and accidently push the Toy Box off the bench THIS late in the game, overbalancing and causing it to fall, so Safety first. I stuck a stand under the back side, just in case. I have to turn it crossways on the bench to have the chair fit where I need to be to do my thing. I do a lot of my work with hand tools, but ... I still use some of the power tools as the weather has aggravated ARTHUR and he is not friendly.
This process used the Chop saw a lot. Measure, Cut, trim and test fit, trim and test fit. I used the Dewalt Brad Nailer to reinforce the glue til it set and powered it with the oil cooled large compressor in the corner... larger capacity and a LOT quieter than the pancake compressor I used to use in the old shop. After a couple hours rolling back and forth between my stations, staining EACH piece before installation.... they are pretty much done. I did cut the pieces to use to round the corners and tack them in place. Tomorrow morning I'll shape those, and stain them after sanding, tune the fit on the whole works and add a last coat of stain to everything. Then move on to the Enhancements. The Top and Hinges will be the very last step.
Here is a peek before the framing started on the LAST section.. (Whoo Hoo!) Now, I don't want to slip and accidently push the Toy Box off the bench THIS late in the game, overbalancing and causing it to fall, so Safety first. I stuck a stand under the back side, just in case. I have to turn it crossways on the bench to have the chair fit where I need to be to do my thing. I do a lot of my work with hand tools, but ... I still use some of the power tools as the weather has aggravated ARTHUR and he is not friendly.
This process used the Chop saw a lot. Measure, Cut, trim and test fit, trim and test fit. I used the Dewalt Brad Nailer to reinforce the glue til it set and powered it with the oil cooled large compressor in the corner... larger capacity and a LOT quieter than the pancake compressor I used to use in the old shop. After a couple hours rolling back and forth between my stations, staining EACH piece before installation.... they are pretty much done. I did cut the pieces to use to round the corners and tack them in place. Tomorrow morning I'll shape those, and stain them after sanding, tune the fit on the whole works and add a last coat of stain to everything. Then move on to the Enhancements. The Top and Hinges will be the very last step.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5783
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Working the Corners....
When I said it had put the pieces in to round the corners, it probably didn't mean much... but maybe this picture will help.
Came out this morning and took the clamps off, and got ready to work 'em. There was work to do. First the nail sets drove the brads deeper, didn't want to ruin my iron in the plane.
Then I took the plane, cut off the sharp edge of the corner sticking out and proceeded to round off the edges to make a rounded corner of both the added pieces, and then sanded all the frames as best I could.
Once this was done, I touched up all the stain and stood back to admire my work. Next up is to work the enhancements and the top and hinges, and we'll be done.
Another week?
Since I didn't make some of the framing material overly wide to overlap an edge, there was a gap at the front corners, a half inch or so. After it was all finished, I put a square piece of walnut in the two corners, glued and shot it them place, put a couple band clamps around it and left them til morning to set.Came out this morning and took the clamps off, and got ready to work 'em. There was work to do. First the nail sets drove the brads deeper, didn't want to ruin my iron in the plane.
Then I took the plane, cut off the sharp edge of the corner sticking out and proceeded to round off the edges to make a rounded corner of both the added pieces, and then sanded all the frames as best I could.
Once this was done, I touched up all the stain and stood back to admire my work. Next up is to work the enhancements and the top and hinges, and we'll be done.
Another week?
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 5783
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Then it hit me...
I was tossing idea around in my head about what to put in that front panel, what would convey the message we wanted, but let Izzy know that Grumpy built her toybox all these years to come...? Then it hit me.
Yup, that should do it. I'll work on the high relief carving over the next few days or so. If it turns out okay, this will certainly do the job.
"Grumpy Says"
Yup, that should do it. I'll work on the high relief carving over the next few days or so. If it turns out okay, this will certainly do the job.
"Grumpy Says"
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.