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  1. #1
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    Apr 2014
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    Default European Beech Box

    Last year a good friend gave me a piece of leftover European Beech. I was a bit lukewarm as my memories of European Beech were government and school furniture in post-war England. The stuff seemed to grow on trees Still, there was enough to make a box.

    As I worked I came to really like the timber for its pinkish-brown colour, its simplicity (no strong grain pattern) and its ease of use. The pictures don't show the colouring that well but here it is:

    Size: 275x180x75
    Timber: European Beech with steamed European Beech veneer top panel
    Inlay: Ripple Sycamore
    Lock and hinges: smartware by Andrew Crawford
    Escutcheon: Ripple Sycamore (supplier no longer operating)
    Lining: Burgundy suede split over white art card. Double sided tape and craft glue (Eckersley's Art Supplies)
    Tray: European Beech, black-dyed boxwood.
    Finish: Behlens pre-cat nitrocellulose sanding sealer and Behlens satin Stringed Instrument Lacquer (Guitar Australia).


    2CF31B5C-635C-4B0C-B205-50F0D8949CF2.jpeg



    Tray dividers were attached to the tray sides (and each other) by small mortice and tenons.

    ECDDB0EB-C38E-4048-A0D3-FE024AFD4D8C.jpeg


    In this case I lined the tray walls as well as the tray bottoms. Gives a good result but it means cutting and fixing 15 panels for the tray plus 5 for the box carcass. Did I mention I don't enjoy lining?

    9665F710-2879-473F-9B41-796A45C2061E.jpeg


    The top of the tray is capped with black-dyed boxwood as an experiment. I quite like it.

    Also experimental are the suede tray lifts at either end. These are glued into recesses in the sides, sized to bring the suede level with the inner side of the tray. This way they do not interfere with the linings on the sides, which would otherwise have a 'speed hump'.

    The tray is mitred with keys made of white/black/black/white veneers. Given the light colour of the beech I probably should have made up some black/white/white/black keys, but I didn't.


    FB6889A9-A65E-4E39-84F5-F600D1026719.jpeg



    All together I liked the end result more than I expected. Perhaps something more showy next time

    Back to the woodpile!

    Brian

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
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    Default

    Hi Brian, that is one lovely box, very impressive indeed. Looks superb. I like the way you do the lining on the sides. I've got a few boxes under construction at present, one of which is a watch box where I want to line the sides of each compartment. A chap contacted me about a watch box and said he wanted the sides of each watch compartment lined as he was afraid of his watches being scratched by the timber. So I have allowed extra space for such. I hope my side linings turn out as good as yours.

    Well done again,

    Paul

  4. #3
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    Default

    Thanks for the kind comments, Paul.

    I think the big thing is what you use for lining. I now avoid anything that is woven such as imitation suede or, in most cases, velvet as the frayed edges drive me nuts. Genuine suede or Toray ultrasuede work so well.

    Good luck with the watch box- your previous boxes are beautiful!

    Brian

  5. #4
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    Hi and thanks for that info Brian. I'll let you know how my lining on the sides go. I do intend on folding the suede fabric over that 1mm white cardboard. On the bottom I'll pad it with wadding for a nice cushiony effect as I always do. I did try using foam, but prefer the wadding. The foam was ok with "performance velvet" as it is much thicker and does not stretch at all. But overall I prefer the wadding.

    Paul

  6. #5
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    Sep 2011
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    Hervey Bay
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    Lovely box - you've clearly put a lot of work into that.

    One question - where do you source your white/black veneers from?
    I'm hoping to try to do my own banding.

    Thanks, Jeff

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
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    Leopold, Victoria
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    Another fine example of your fastidious work Brian. Mortice & tennon for the dividers just shows how much effort you put in to getting a quality item, and even the contrasting colours in the built up keys. Great work.
    Dallas

  8. #7
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    Westleigh, Sydney
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    That is one beautiful box & tray, Homey. The care you've taken shows.
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  9. #8
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    Thanks for the very kind comments, guys.

    Paul - I haven’t tried the wadding. Is this the “batting” that can be bought from Spotlight or similar?

    Jeff - I think I bought the last lot from Luthiers Supplies (https://luthiersupplies.com.au/luthi.../guitar-veneer) although I think they were on the expensive side.

    I’ve also bought from Rita and Peter at The Veneer Shop in Budapest, Hungary (https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/thevene...on_id=23333738). They are lovely people to deal with and the postage from Hungary is very reasonable. Their prices are usually shown as ‘per 2 pieces’ or sometimes more. For white veneer I generally use either maple or, if I can get it, sycamore.

    Treecycle - aw, shucks . Thanks! I haven’t yet made a box that I’m completely happy with but I’m enjoying the journey!

    Best regards,

    Brian

  10. #9
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    Thanks for that Brian,

    I'll try those out.

    Cheers, Jeff

  11. #10
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    Hi Brian, Yes its from Spotlight. Women use it for quilting. It comes in various thicknesses, you just need to "feel" the range to see what suits you best. I bought a roll of it a couple of weeks ago. Sorta like not to thin and not to thick, just sufficient to provide nice padding between your suede and the cardboard.

    Paul

  12. #11
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    Jan 2010
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    Auckland New Zealand
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    Very nice box as always Brian.

  13. #12
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    Top class outcome there, Brian. Congratulations. The timber and the inlay really make this, great choice, so nice just to look at. That lining is something else, well done !!
    regards,

    Dengy

  14. #13
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    I really like the understated look - but having said that here’s a sneak peek at part of a box I’m working on that will not be quite so plain! If it goes OK I will do a WIP report. It’s a test box for a larger one I have planned:

    C951F03C-7D4D-4E45-AD31-25AC7D89D72C.jpeg

    Brian

  15. #14
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    Crikey, Brian, that's a bit in your face, eh? Will be very interested to see how this turns out. Amazing timber
    regards,

    Dengy

  16. #15
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    Hi Joe,

    This is Ebony Macassar. I have a few pieces that needed to be used. It’s the closest thing to coramandel which I think has long since disappeared. Anyway, watch this space!

    Best,

    Brian

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