Thread: Reclaimed Mahogany box

Hi Maxine

what a great mix of timbers! Any chance of a picture of the front of the box? or a picture from the corner so you get to see a side and the front at the same time?

One of the hints with the pivot hinge, is that it doesn't have to go the whole way through the lid, just enough into each end of the lid.

Cheers
Wendy

Nice work Maxine, it looks really great. The pivot hinge is a great idea too, I have used that method on small boxes. I think you need some kind of a horizontal jig set up to drill the holes for the pins though to be accurate for the larger boxes otherwise its a PITA to get them just right drilling by hand and eyeballing them. Too easy to stuff up an otherwise great piece of work. Well done, you have make a very nice box.

Originally Posted by RufflyRustic

One of the hints with the pivot hinge, is that it doesn't have to go the whole way through the lid, just enough into each end of the lid.Cheers Wendy

Good point Wendy and the holes can be drilled with the drill press prior to assembly of the box although sometimes I think it adds some character to the box when the hinge pins are exposed.

Hi Wendy and Munruben
Adding a shot of the front of the box.

Yes Munruben, had a conversation last night with HWMBO and he was talking about horizontal drilling, and also about finding a steel tube the exact diameter of my drill press so we can extend its reach. The length of this wee box is 17 inchs.
Wendy, you always find the right things to say. Glad you like the mix of timbers, wish I could claim it was preteterminded, well, I guess to some extent it is, but also I pick up what is actually in the workshop, which isn't much in the way of wood at the moment. Have to chase that order for wood.

Next Morning: Hexed! ******Rain!

Best
Maxine

Very nice effect with that spalting and a lovely looking box, a pity we can't get to run our fingers across it from a picture, but I'll bet it is lovely to handle.

The stool it is sitting on is a nice piece of work too, is it yours?

Fencepost,
Wish I could claim that stool as my own but I admit to it: HWMBO made that for my birthday last year. The Honey of a fella carved my name on the underside!

Very pretty! I love the warmth of nice mahogany. Nice bit of figuring on the front of the box as well - adds visual interest.

Hi Maxine

what I really like about your developing style is that I can see a bit of me in it, i.e. what I did when starting to build boxes and learning so much with each one, thanks to everyone's input from this Forum.

I've not had any formal training as such, but have just tried ideas out while trying to learn how to make the different joints and other such tidbits of how to fit a lid, the different methods of hinging, finising etc etc . I see you simply putting timber together for the fun of it, for the contrast or simply just because that is what you have at hand and wow - what a great result. I like your work because it is basic, honest and with the promise of basic becoming very exciting and unique. (just like I hope my woodwork will be).

cheers
Wendy

I bet no one thought that pallet would look like that. The colours and grain in wood always amazes me, a nice simple box that looks terrific.

Thanks.
Now, Wendy I'll make a confession I'll probably regret later!

The pivot holes and side plugging holes were really difficult to drill.
New bit, but I changed it to a newer one. Checked the settings on the drill, yes it was on drill, not hammer and ratchet was off, still really difficult. Changed the battery to a newly charged one. No difference. I
thought damn, well continue anyway, it must be the mahogany but it seems quite soft..
Speaking with my lovely man later that evening It turns out I'd drilled all ten holes with the bloody drill going backwards. Whaddya mean, these things have a reverse?!
This was the first time I'd used a cordless drill!

I made another box yesterday playing with the pivot hinge and adapting it so the lid fits flush with the box and drilling the pivot holes with the drill going forwards was a bit of a revelation! That's more like it I thought.. Like making holes in butter!

I have also been learning how to calibrate the table saw. It makes such a difference when you crosscut that it is really square and true.
After a year of making box's on a machine that didn't rip true or cross cut true life is soooo much simpler!

Thanks all for your lovely comments.

Originally Posted by gwambygine

...Speaking with my lovely man later that evening It turns out I'd drilled all ten holes with the bloody drill going backwards. Whaddya mean, these things have a reverse?!

Don't feel bad, that's all a part of woodworking. Like installing a brand new bandsaw blade with the teeth going in the wrong direction and wondering why you are getting so much smoke. I ruined a set of bandsaw tires when I did that.

... or perservering with hand sanding hardwood when for just $200 I could get a decent belt sander that would do in 15 minutes, what it would take me a whole day to do.....

A great box in every way. Simple and effective!!