A Major Thank You

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  • Bruce Cohen
    Veteran Member
    • May 2003
    • 2698
    • Nanuet, NY, USA.
    • BT3100

    A Major Thank You

    I posted this in the thread in finished projects, not sure if it was seen, so here it is again. If you already saw it, my bad.

    Hey Guys,
    I really want to thank you for all your kind words. Your praise goes way past anything I could ever have hoped for.

    When I do these boxes, I never really know if they are any good. Its all subjective and there are times when I look at a piece and think that I totally messed it up, so hearing these words form you all truly puts it all in the "right place".

    I'm not sure if a lot of you know what I did for a living and still do on a part-time basis. I was a creative director in an ad agency until the dot com meltdown and then 9/11 occurred and that was the end of the ad business in NY.

    Working in advertising, all your work is judged subjectively, which makes you a bit weird and very insecure. Doing woodwork, for me, is the same. You may love the piece you've just finished only to find out it sucks. So your praise validates my work and is worth way more than high selling price.

    JR asked me a bunch of questions, so I'll try to answer them intelligently.

    The hinges are black and really cheap, Lee Valley and I think they were a few dollars a pair. The center medallion, which by the way is a Chrysanthemum, and I believe that in Japan, its something reserved for the Emperor. Hank probably knows the answer. I had to cut it in half, got to use my trusty Dremel for that. I cheated on the dust shelf. Its almost all 1/8" plywood except for the first half inch, which is Ebony.
    BTW, Ebony is a major PITA to work with. Its brittle as all get out and really doesn't play well with anything. Except for its ability to polish up excellent. Final sanding with 600 wet/dry and then buffed out using white rouge on a felt wheel.

    The joinery is so basic I'm ashamed to say. the box itself is mitered and glued. The drawers are butt joined with a piece of Bloodwood for the front.
    And there is no way in the world I'd try to make the hinges our of Ebony, I'm not that weird.
    Oh, and the feet are just two pieces of Bloodwood glued together with rounded edges.

    And a special thank you to Don, for his wonderful way to get even with this Yankee.
    One more thing , I can't build anything large, I really suck at making big things. I envy you guys who can build chests and bookcases. My large work doesn't make high school wood shop level.
    Thanks for making me feel so good, and I'm starting to design another one at the moment.

    Bruce
    "Western civilization didn't make all men equal,
    Samuel Colt did"
  • jking
    Senior Member
    • May 2003
    • 972
    • Des Moines, IA.
    • BT3100

    #2
    There's more craftsmanship & creativity in one of your boxes than I've ever had. I wish I could come up with & execute something like that.

    Comment

    • Black wallnut
      cycling to health
      • Jan 2003
      • 4715
      • Ellensburg, Wa, USA.
      • BT3k 1999

      #3
      Seriously Bruce all the big stuff I build can be built better by many others. YOur boxes on the other hand are unique, special, and just beautiful! Not only do you have great taste in design but your execution is fabulous! You have an artists touch. Keep up the awe inspiring work!
      Donate to my Tour de Cure


      marK in WA and Ryobi Fanatic Association State President ©

      Head servant of the forum

      ©

      Comment

      • Pappy
        The Full Monte
        • Dec 2002
        • 10453
        • San Marcos, TX, USA.
        • BT3000 (x2)

        #4
        Originally posted by Black wallnut
        YOur boxes on the other hand are unique, special, and just beautiful! Not only do you have great taste in design but your execution is fabulous! You have an artists touch. Keep up the awe inspiring work!
        I can't think of any way to say it better!
        Don, aka Pappy,

        Wise men talk because they have something to say,
        Fools because they have to say something.
        Plato

        Comment

        • leehljp
          Just me
          • Dec 2002
          • 8442
          • Tunica, MS
          • BT3000/3100

          #5
          Originally posted by Bruce Cohen
          The center medallion, which by the way is a Chrysanthemum, and I believe that in Japan, its something reserved for the Emperor. Hank probably knows the answer. I had to cut it in half, got to use my trusty Dremel for that. I cheated on the dust shelf. Its almost all 1/8" plywood except for the first half inch, which is Ebony.
          Bruce
          That is a BEAUTIFUL work of wood art!

          I will use a direct quote from a site if that is alright:
          The chrysanthemum has been the Imperial family's emblem since the Kamakura period (1185–1333). During part of the Meiji period (1868–1912), laws banned its use by anyone outside the Imperial family. Now the chrysanthemum motif is used as a state symbol and appears on Japanese passports.
          The largest collection of literature study guides, lesson plans & educational resources for students & teachers.


          I did not know that it had been the symbol for THAT long.
          Hank Lee

          Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!

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