Thread: Stationery box, jarrah, American cherry & huon pine

Beautiful work Alex!

Regards,

Rob

How good is that !! Well done Alex, elegant simple design, beautifully proportioned and great craftsmanship

I really like the tray with the mitred joints - what material did you use there, Alex? Did you strengthen the mitres?

Wow, stunning job both of you

Love it. I like it when things have their fitted place.

Regards

That will be an heirloom. Great craftsmanship. Beautiful box.

Nice work Alex...great combination of woods.

Beautiful work Alex!! Congrats to you and Greg!!!

Very nice box Alex, I am impressed,

Paul

Hi Alex,

How do you find using those magnets. I used 4 the other day and they are that strong one pulled the other one out, even using araldite glue. And also how did you cut out the mouldings for the pens etc, to sit in,

Regards, Paul

Thanks all for the kind comments. Sorry, I've been cut off from the internet for over a week, so haven't been able to log on here.

Originally Posted by Dengue

I really like the tray with the mitred joints - what material did you use there, Alex? Did you strengthen the mitres?

The tray is American cherry, I didn't reinforce the corners, as it's held pretty rigid by the dividers, and will be in the box most of the time.

Originally Posted by Pauls321

Hi Alex,

How do you find using those magnets. I used 4 the other day and they are that strong one pulled the other one out, even using araldite glue. And also how did you cut out the mouldings for the pens etc, to sit in,

Regards, Paul

I've never had that problem. I use either Titebond, or Techniglue if I have some mixed up at the time. Are you using a 6mm or 1/4" drill? you need to use 6mm, 1/4" will be a bit loose.
The mouldings for the pens, seal and sealing wax are made thus:
For the pens, I made a mould as per this pic. Not visible is the female cut-out on the underside of the piece with the handle.
Pen mould.jpg
Into this mould, I pushed soaking wet pigskin suede leather, and clamped the female piece down on it until it was more or less dry. Then I removed the female part of the mould carefully, and sprayed the leather with water to wet it again. This both softens the leather and helps it fit the mould, and sets the polyurethane expanding foam off. The foam is quickly put in to evenly cover the leather, and the back of the mould screwed on. The foam expands and pushes the leather against the male mould, and excess forces its way out of the back of the mould. This stuff sticks like merde to a blanket, so make sure you do it on newspaper so the overflow doesn't matter.
exp foam.jpg
A similar mould was used for the seal and sealing wax compartment, but the ink compartment was too deep and stretched the leather beyond its limit, so a wooden mould was made and covered with leather.

Hope this helps.

Very clever Alex. A lot of work, but what a fabulous result!

In a word.... exquisite

One day when I grow up I'm gonna build a box that good - but I'm only 54 so I've got a bit more practice to get in yet!!!

Beautiful box Alex