Some Old Cootamundra Wattle

**Pauls321** · 6th June 2020, 05:16 PM

HI all, Cava (George) should recognise this timber, he gave it to me. George did a trip up this way a few months ago and called in to meet me. As he said he came bearing gifts and gave me a couple of slices of some old Cootamundra Wattle. I finally got around to using it. Did some measuring up and seen how much I had to play with. I had enough to do the main carcass of a 300 x 170 box, but that was it. I had some Spalted Silver Ash which I used for the base of the main box and all of the tray. The two timbers were very close in appearance. And then of course I used some RedGum Burl for the lid insert.

However the Cootamundra Wattle was very unstable to use. A piece flew out whilst routering the dovetails. Then when I was doing the final sand to 2000 grit there was a lot of small soft spots of timber which I thought the sanding might "fix". But it didnt. I could pick the soft spots of timber out with my fingernails. So I cleaned them out with a pig stabber and put glue and sawdust back in to fill them. With the amazing grain in the timber you cant even notice where I did all this.

End result was pretty super I think.

Paul

**Treecycle** · 6th June 2020, 07:20 PM

That's very nice Paul. The lighter coloured timber comes up really well especially against the dark Redgum burl. I like the design of the tray too with the centre section for rings and the outer parts for everything else.
When you cut the slots for the tray supports do you go right through in line with a dovetail so it gets covered when when assembled or stop them short of the ends?
Did you use the spacers on the tail where you separated the lid or just cut a very narrow kerf?

**Pauls321** · 6th June 2020, 07:48 PM

Thanks Dallas, yes I was happy with the light/dark contrast. I do all my trays pretty similar in these size boxes. I do little housing joints for the sides of the centre ring holder 70mm apart. (notice a little finger grip on the outer of that ring section, helps to lift it out). Then I do what I call my scallops 5mm thick running across the inside of the above. This leaves me with 60mm actual spacing for two rings to sit in. The actual ring holders push under the scallops so you never see any tacky ends on them. They just sit there, not glued, would never come out unless you pull them out.

To separate the lid I use the Gifkin Variable Spacer Unit, hence making the tail and pin section 4mm wider than the other dovetails where the cut will be, so when I slice the lid off with a 4mm router bit, they all match up again.

Oops I forgot to answer your first question. For the little ledge for the tray I cut the slot on my table saw between two tails and go all the way. The pin then hides this.

Paul

**cava** · 6th June 2020, 09:58 PM

Hi Paul,

I was glad you could use it and it looks good. Pity about the soft spots, but you did a good save with the sawdust fix.

George

**The Muss** · 19th June 2020, 06:06 PM

This looks great!!! I also love the song cootamundra wattle. It is all flowering now which is super nice.

**Pauls321** · 19th June 2020, 10:11 PM

Great song for sure. Big fan of John Williamson, seen him live 3 times, some years ago now.

Paul

**Treecycle** · 19th June 2020, 10:36 PM

Me too but I have only seen him once.

**Pauls321** · 19th June 2020, 11:41 PM

I liked all his early stuff. Raining On The Rock is my fav. I like to try and play that on my guitar some nights. He uses odd chords and tuning.

Paul

**Treecycle** · 20th June 2020, 10:31 AM

I don't have the skills to even attempt to play any tunes. One of his songs I had never heard until recently was this one which I thought was quite hilarious.

**Pauls321** · 20th June 2020, 06:01 PM

Not bad Dallas, I just got a laugh outa that. He's a good entertainer for sure.

Paul

**The Muss** · 26th June 2020, 08:33 PM

I wanted to see him at the Gympie muster this year but corona.....

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