Ipe box

**VinWeasel** · 24th May 2010, 01:05 PM

Just a little box that I made. Thought I would share it here.
It is approximately 7.25" X 2.75" X 1.625"h. (18.4cm X 7cm X 4.1cm)

I made it from some hardwood flooring samples that someone gave me. The wood is called Ipe.
The splines are yellowheart. The pattern is about 1/8" thick and all cut by hand. It is made out of cherry, walnut, and maple.
I finished it with two coats of Circa 1850 Tung 'n Teak Oil.

The pattern on top was supposed to be a replica of a ring box pattern that I made about 15 years ago but it didn't turn out half as good as the original. For the most part I am happy with it though.

Any comments or criticisms are welcome. Thanks for looking.

**artme** · 24th May 2010, 01:11 PM

Gorgeous box mate!

Ipe is a wonderful timber. I've seen whole floors made from it and it is spectacular as a flooring timber.

The inlay work you have done is beautifully executed and complements the darker Ipe nicely.

**watson** · 24th May 2010, 03:08 PM

Speaking in an Australian accent....

"oi loike it"

**Ruddy** · 24th May 2010, 03:41 PM

I like it!
Elegant.

**groeneaj** · 24th May 2010, 03:50 PM

Very nice box mate! How do you cut the splines so accurately by hand? Andy.

**nine fingers** · 24th May 2010, 05:35 PM

Bloody beaut.

**jow104** · 24th May 2010, 06:18 PM

Same here.

Watson, that sounds a north country accent up here.

**Rattrap** · 24th May 2010, 06:46 PM

Elegant straight lines, a touch of artistic finesse, very nice indeed. The inlay is excellent, just enough to catch the eye without overpowering the whole design.

**ajw** · 24th May 2010, 09:27 PM

Excellent work. What do you use to cut your inlays? I've tried a couple of different knives, but I get a lot of pieces that are wasted because the cut isn't smooth enough.

ajw

**VinWeasel** · 25th May 2010, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by groeneaj

Very nice box mate! How do you cut the splines so accurately by hand? Andy.

I may have worded that wrong. The main box and the mitres on the conrners are cut on the tablesaw. I call them splines but what I meant are the mitre keys. Those are also cut on the tablesaw with a jig.
Only the pattern is made by hand.

**VinWeasel** · 25th May 2010, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by ajw

Excellent work. What do you use to cut your inlays? I've tried a couple of different knives, but I get a lot of pieces that are wasted because the cut isn't smooth enough.

ajw

I just use a small x-acto razor saw to make the cut. I use an x-acto knife to mark my line that i want to cut. I clamp a straight edged piece of wood along that line for a guide. Then use another straight edged piece of wood to sandwich my blade against the first piece that I clamped, so I won't wobble while I'm sawing. After I have cut the piece I have a large file clamped flat on my desk which I use to smooth the cut or do some fine tuning to the angle if it's not perfect (it's seldom perfect).

I'm probably making it harder on myself than it need to be.

I could probably get away with a less convoluted process if I just used thinner pieces but I like to have something substantial in my hand after it's finished. The wood I work with is usually 3/16 inch (4.76mm) thick.

**Charleville** · 25th May 2010, 09:53 AM

It was a treat to look at your box. A lovely job.

Many thanks for sharing.

.

**Fencepost2** · 25th May 2010, 07:50 PM

I love the very clean lines of this box, and the marquetry is stunning. Congrats.

**smagrath** · 29th May 2010, 03:08 PM

Yeah - I like it a lot too - elegant "less is more" kind of design. And the inlay is pure gold - I don't know why you're so down on it...

Cheers

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