The Abacus Box

**RufflyRustic** · 7th September 2007, 09:37 AM

Hi Zen,

I used a bit of nearly all of UBeaut's Water Dyes to get the colour I wanted, took a number of test pieces, but was worth it. I found that I needed a really light hand adding the red as one drop too many would give the mix waaaay too much red. Once the final test piece had dried, I then divided it into three areas and tried white shellac, hard shellac and wipe on poly. The dye with the white shellac popped the best, the wipe on poly was too yellow and shiny straight up, so I started with four coats of white shellac then two coats of hard shellac and lastly the trad wax.

This weekend I hope to finish the nail holes in the lid, fix up the corners where the two rebates met and the tiny piece of timber broke off

and give it another wax & polish. I think I'll have to attach a support chain too so the lid doesn't fall back and break.

cheers
Wendy

**Thornburn** · 7th September 2007, 10:06 AM

Well Done Wendy - a beautiful result, well deserving of praise.

After applying the shellac, how did you apply the wax to it, rag, steel wool or ...???

Thanks
Thornburn

**zenwood** · 7th September 2007, 10:26 AM

Thanks Ruffly.

Remember there's always the option of an unobtrusive lid-rest instead of a dinky little chain (see final pic in post#1 here).

**TTIT** · 7th September 2007, 11:31 AM

Having had the honour of seeing the lid up close, I'm suitably impressed with the box you built to enhance it Wendy.

The shed is obviously helping to improve the quality of your work - let's just hope it doesn't stifle that wonderful rustic imagination that goes into it.

**RufflyRustic** · 7th September 2007, 11:53 AM

Thanks Zen. I've added the idea to my sincere flattery file. I have to agree that a chain or even some leather would detract from the look of the box.

Hi TTIT

Thanks to P.T.C. keeping me on track, I don't think I'll lose the rustic touch in my work. The shed is indeed a great help. So lovely to not have to pack up every night.

cheers
Wendy

**Cagey** · 11th September 2007, 09:06 PM

thats beautiful work Wendy, and i love the color. what do propose using it for?

**RufflyRustic** · 12th September 2007, 09:45 AM

Hi Cagey,

I'm considering giving it to some friends as a welcome present for their son, or I might try to sell it in the November craft show at work here.

I've some more kwila in my shed and found some thin strips, so another idea is bubbling away in my head

.

Thornburn
I applied the diluted shellac with a rag. Two coats, light sand back, another two coats. First 4 coats were with white shellac, the next two coats with hard shellac. Trad wax - Ii wipe a very thin layer on with my finger, give it a good rug with some polishing cloth (the stuff from supacheap in a roll for polishing cars), buff with the swansdown mop, leave it for a while, buff with a fresh piece of polishing cloth, do another wax coat and last buff is with a cotton knobbly teatowel as this seems to really bring out the shine in the end. Then the hard part is leaving it alone while it sets

cheers
Wendy

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