re: Thirty Buttons

Sorry about the slow response to your questions. The box was designed in CAD/CAM software. I first designed the box as a rectangle with 30 circles. Next, I modeled each circle as a dome shaped object. I then deformed the rectangle in the software by ‘bending’ the rectangle. Think of it as a rectangular eraser that you can bend. As a result the domed buttons are deformed along with their positions. The purpleheart buttons start out as a piece of pupleheart about 1/4" thick that I glue onto the sycamore. After I was happy with the look of the deformed rectangle I calculated the toolpaths and cut the rectangle on a CNC machine. The buttons are cut with two different tool bits, one for rough cutting to get rid of most of the waste and the second cut with a 1/8" ball nose to get the final cut. Maybe an hour of sanding to get the finished top.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Roger