Thread: Tree of Life

The box was made by the technique of a folded construction. The box size is 190 x 120 x 78 high. Final blank size required is 346 x 276. Huon Pine was machined to about 5mm thick and cut and glued to have a blank slightly larger about 355 x 285. Dark cedar was machined to same thickness and glued to a size just bigger than the Tree image.
The Huon Pine blank then had the image of the tree laser cut in the correct position with the laser path set with a kerf offset of 0.1mm negative. At the same time the lettering was engraved in the Huon. The same image was then laser cut in the dark cedar with the laser path set with a kerf offset of 0.1mm positive. The internal Huon was removed and the internal cedar was then fitted together with the Huon.
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The assembly was then glued using PVA glue using a stiff brush to ensure the glue penetrated the very small gaps in the inlay. Light clamping with a wax paper interface was applied to ensure the blank remains flat. After drying, a secondary Huon blank was made about 355 x 285 and glued to the back to make a total thickness of about 12mm. Because of the available Huon I had the grain on the backing Huon ran at 90 degrees to the front. After glue drying, the assembly was then ready for a clean up using a drum sander. Final sanding to 320 grit was completed on the face. Final thickness was about 11mm which is fine for the 8mm hinges being used.
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Final marking out of the intended box was then penciled on the front face and the blank cut to an accurate 346 x 276.
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The blank was then taped on the 78 mm line from the edges and using a 45degree router bit the fold grooves were cut on the router table. The centre of the router bit was set 78mm from the fence. The router depth was gently increased until the tip line was visible in the tape. The corners were cut out with a stanley knife and the box then glued and folded like origami with only tape holding it together while the glue dried.

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A Cedar base was then cut and glued to make the box. I used the bandsaw to cut off the lid and then passed the lid and base separately through the drum sander to clean the edges. The router was used to fit the hinges in the normal manner.
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I used the brass hinges from Aldav. The box has been finished using Feast Watson Wipe on Poly.

Having seen this box in the flesh, I don't think the photos do justice just how nice this box is.

brava Exquisite as always Ian.

What a beautiful piece and a ripper of an idea for a box. I've seen plenty that are destined to be family heirlooms but never one quite so focussed on that destiny as this one. Congratulations that's a masterpiece.

Rex

Very impressive and absolutely no room for error with that construction type.

Words fail me x 100

Absolutely first class.

Beautiful work. Something to aspire to.