Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Valla Beach
    Posts
    1,184

    Default Some amazing old Red and Birdseye Mahogany

    Hi gang,

    I had some very old Birdseye Mahogany and Red Mahogany from Mal. It was all rough sawn and maybe offcuts from some old job he come across. I really didnt know what it was like until I ripped it up. The first length was this gorgeous red colour, but no birdseye Then the rest turned out to be birdseye. So I used the red for the front and backs and the tray, and the birdseye for the ends, plus the frame around the old coolabah burl insert. Actually the coolabah burl insert really matched the pinkish birdseye mahogany.

    I made this a tad longer than normal 315mm x 190mm x 105 (ish). Talk about cranky old grain on the birdseye, what a pain to work with. When routering the dovetail fingers it even spewed one finger right out, luckily I retrieved it. And when glueing up, clamped the finger back in, what a perfect match. Then when screwing the brass screws in, even after pilot drilling and screwing a steel screw in, still snapped one brass screw off, what a pain retrieving and repairing.

    I've looked at and seen plenty of designs for large boxes but I keep coming back to this one. Small boxes different story. Did my tray slightly different this time, holds 20 rings in nice soft cushioned velvet and good other storage space.

    Paul
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    74
    Posts
    1,389

    Default

    That's great work!
    There was an old sawmiller down near Bulahdealh and he closed down 2 years ago and had an auction.
    Had a chat to him, it's red mahogany country that way and he said that in all his years of cutting, that the best log he had ever processed was red mahogany
    I'll show to Mal tomorrow
    Greg

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Valla Beach
    Posts
    1,184

    Default

    Hey thanks Greg, good to hear from you and thanks for the compliments. I figured it must have been some old offcuts as it was all rough sawn that I got from Mal. Now I know where it come from. I still have some of it left. And of course the coolabah burl lid insert is from Mal also. He sliced me up two burls,.......coolabah and redgum..Say hi to Mal from me.

    Paul

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Albury
    Posts
    3,019

    Default

    Beautiful timber and wonderfully transformed into a useful item, Paul. Good work finding that flying finger, how often do bits just disappear into the ether never to be seen again.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    1,147

    Default

    Nice work Paul, that is a beautiful box.

    With gnarly timber like that i always run the thread of the screws across a candle, they go in much easier with a coating of wax.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    210

    Default

    That's beautiful. The pics don't do it justice till you enlarge them. Thats some nice work right there.
    Kerry Larkan

    Melbourne Australia

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leopold, Victoria
    Age
    65
    Posts
    4,677

    Default

    Lovely work there Paul. You have turned the ugly duckling timber into a beautiful swan box. Certainly well worth the effort you needed to put in and hopefully you have a worthy recipient.
    Dallas

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Valla Beach
    Posts
    1,184

    Default

    Thanks everyone. Yes the photos dont really do that timber justice. The front piece looks like it has a flame from a fire coming from it. I have a jar of beeswax handy that I always run the screws in, even the steel screws to start with, I might try a candle next time. I now leave the steel screws in (the hinges) after routering the hinge slots. By then I have assembled the main part of the box. I then use my ROS to take it from 120 through to 2000 grit. (with hinges in) Concentrating heavily on the 120 to even up any small smidgeons of unevenness with lid to bottom. For some reason there always seems to be a smidgeon. (no handle on it yet). I've already ROS'd the underside of the lid down to 2000 grit prior to gluing lid to carcass.

    Then I remove the hinges and put them aside for later. Lid and bottom now get their first coat of my home made Danish Oil. Then I start to make the tray.

    I've started making another identical box to this one, from some lovely Prickly Ash, also from Mal. Beautiful honey gold with flecks all through it. Will be all Prickly Ash, no burl in this one. Carcass all finished, panel framed lid and insert in clamps now.

    Paul

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leopold, Victoria
    Age
    65
    Posts
    4,677

    Default

    Do you see a significant difference in the surface or finish between say 1200 and the 2000 grit. I only go to 1200 and was wondering if the extra couple of steps were worth it. Not too many places sell the 1500 & 2000 discs.
    Dallas

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Valla Beach
    Posts
    1,184

    Default

    hey there Dallas, hows it going mate. I was ROS the underside of my lid this arvo prior to glueing/clamping it to the carcass of my box. When you hit the 1500 or 2000 the finish is just like glass. And for those burls they come up just like polished marble. Then with the cutting back of the second coat of Danish Oil (wet) and the light cutting back for the wax (dry) I believe my finish is pretty good. And besides I cant use a lot of other oils with tung oil in them, wife is allergic to that pretty bad. I really dont like the smell of it myself.

    So to answer your question, yes. I just had a look on ebay at when I did an order late last year for more 5 inch ROS pads. This is my order. I note that particular one is not available anymore, but there would be similar about. I paid $16.99 for it, just looked.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-100pcs-125mm-5-Sanding-Discs-80-240-to-3000-Mixed-Grit-Orbital-Sander-Pads-/293359711080?hash=item444d99f368

    I still have all these in the bag they come in, havent even opened them yet, still have some left. I might get out the 3000 ones for this box, give them a run.

    AND wait there's more. I mentioned wax earlier, when I was at Maleny Wood Expo this time last year I bought a tin of Fiddes and Sons Supreme Wax Polish. Its the best wax I have ever used. I was going to buy another can this year, but alas, its all cancelled. Even had a weeks accommodation booked up that way. My tin is getting towards empty, might even look now and see where I can buy a tin online.

    Paul





  12. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leopold, Victoria
    Age
    65
    Posts
    4,677

    Default

    Thanks for the detailed info. I will need to give the higher grits a go as I do like smoooooth surfaces. Looks like you can buy your wax here.
    Unfortunately your link to the discs brings up an error but I found lots of them listed. Did yours come from Aust?

    PS. Found an Aussie supplier but they are about twice the price, but even that is quite a good price. Interesting to know what the life of them is like compared to the higher priced name brands.

    Dallas

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Valla Beach
    Posts
    1,184

    Default

    Thanks Dallas. I just ordered 1 tin. $52.80 with delivery. The tin I bought at Maleny will still last me a bit longer, so an extra tin should do me well over another year. I lightly sand my box with whatever w&d I grab, 1200, 2000, whatever. Before I rub in that wax. (after two coats of Danish oil). Then I buff it on with a lambswool pad on my drill press. Do that for two days, lovely finish.

    I think those discs come from China. I bought something from china recently and it took 6 weeks to get here.

    Paul

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Valla Beach
    Posts
    1,184

    Default

    HI gang,

    Just to follow on, the box from Prickly Ash is now finished. What a lovely unique textured timber. I have probably enough of this timber left for another one of these, or maybe something else, not sure yet. I've been pruning out a bit of timber lately, a lot of dribs and drabs of timber that I just wont use. I salvaged enough of these pieces to make 7 simple boxes 200x125, all the same size, started cutting out the finger joints today. They will be a mixture of native Australian timbers. All the offcuts I cut up and gave them to the woman next door for her young daughter to burn in her backyard marshmallow maker fire thingie.

    Paul
    Attached Images Attached Images

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leopold, Victoria
    Age
    65
    Posts
    4,677

    Default

    Another beautiful piece Paul. You just keep churning these out one after the other and all look fantastic. I have been working on a box for about 3 weeks now and still nowhere near finished. I must admit though I am trying out some things for the first time so taking it all slowly to get it the best I can.
    It looks like you have collected a very nice stash of special timbers so you shouldn't get bored making your boxes.
    Dallas

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11th March 2012, 01:12 PM
  2. Another Birdseye HP
    By mag in forum WOODTURNING - PEN TURNING
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 9th January 2009, 09:43 AM
  3. Anyone who has seen birdseye
    By Jakeyboy in forum TIMBER
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 5th April 2005, 03:16 PM
  4. Anyone who has seen birdseye
    By Jakeyboy in forum TIMBER
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 29th March 2005, 05:46 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •