Cherry and Redwood Burl Box Experiment (lots of pics)

[Otter]

Well I finally got a approved look and finish from my toughest critic, LOML.

The box is 4.5"w x 4.5"d x 3"t lined with Spanish cedar. It was never meant to be used, but I think I will keep it on my desk at work.

This box is a experiment in miters (I finally can cut a 45), and finishing. The earlier attempts were not up to standards as I tried spraying, and sealing and such. After much trial and not so right, LOML likes the look and feel. I am happy with the fit and finish.

The finish started with sanding to P220 and grain filling with waterborne grain filler and light sanding. Then a flooding coat of Tung-oil/mineral spirits mixed with Arm-R-Seal followed by 5 coats of Arm-R-Seal. The only part I am not thrilled with is the filler stops the oil from deep penetration. But the surface sheen is good, and lack of blotching is a plus.

Thank you for looking.

[linear]

I think it looks great.

I'm curious about the grain filler--did you fill on the cherry? I got my cherry box to a glassy finish without needing to fill grain.

And with a Spanish cedar lining you have to fill it with cigars, it's obligatory.

[Pappy]

Usually it's hard to tell how good a finish is in pictures, but the sheen and smoothness on this piece is obvious. love the grain in the burl top!

[RodKirby]

WOW! Looks beautiful.

[Ken Massingale]

A beautiful piece, Otter. The finish is great.
k

[lrogers]

That's a keeper for sure. You did a fantastic job on that one Otter.

[bthere]

Beautiful. I think you are right about keeping that out on your desk at work. Let them know what you are funding with all of that useless effort during the day.

[warrenp]

Looks great...nice work.

Warren

[jhart]

Looks great. Really nice work.

[crokett]

That is really nice. Why would you not use it? I think it is too nice not to be used.

[JR]

Sweet!

If I may ask, what did you learn about miters in this exercise? I am miter challenged and am willing to learn any successful tricks.

JR

[mater]

Beautiful work.

[Otter]

I think it looks great.

I'm curious about the grain filler--did you fill on the cherry? I got my cherry box to a glassy finish without needing to fill grain.

And with a Spanish cedar lining you have to fill it with cigars, it's obligatory.

I did grain filler on the cherry as well. I don't know if it needed it but the results were wonderfull.

To bad it is too small for any Cigars

[Otter]

That is really nice. Why would you not use it? I think it is too nice not to be used.

I think it is nice, but it was done as an experiment, so i made it small, so not really pratical, but it will make a nice knic-knack on the desk.

[Otter]

Sweet!

If I may ask, what did you learn about miters in this exercise? I am miter challenged and am willing to learn any successful tricks.

JR

The 2 most important things I learned were:

1. all that fancy ass expensive stuff I bought did not improve my skills one iota. However a $40 electronic angle finder ( http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17206 ) did the trick, setup is king and leave the miter gauge at 90 to the blade, and tilt the blade.

2. all that fancy ass expensive stuff I bought got in the way while I was doing this.

I will write up the process and add pictures. By the way, the glue up uses no clamps to boot. I went primitive and it was all good.