sadly a few weeks ago i lost my best friend and co worker of over 38 years to bone cancer and was asked by his widow to make his urn,not something i look forward too but something i just could never say no too.i had also made the urn for his daughter which was much simpler than this one but because she intends to keep the ashes,at least for now i wanted something that looked nice.he enjoyed hunting and fishing so the handle is deer antler and the emblem is a fishing fly.the main body is made of 1/2"baltic birch veneered with waterfall bubinga.the base and bottom of the lid are solid bubinga,top is maple burl.the trim work is cocobolo.emblem is birch.rubber feet on the bottom.finish is arm r seal.size is 6"x6"x14" tall.200 cubic inch inside.i hope this is my last urn.it was a very sad project but one im proud to have done.
here are a few build pic's. veneering the body panels. the emblem was routed out with my dremel tool. the design was taken from his belt buckle.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
thank you ron.he and i worked together over 35 years.he was my right hand man.it was hard watching him slowly go with cancer. i would have built him a coffin if his wife wanted,nothing was too much,just too little.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
That s a beautiful tribute. And using the image from his buckle is a wonderful remembrance of him. I hope you’ll find solace in using your skills to create a lasting memory for the family.
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
Beautiful tribute Pottz, first photo I was thinking about the fly-fishing being one of his favorites. You did well my friend, and yes something like that is sad but honoring.
thank you guys i appreciate all said.it's been almost 2 years but the pain still lingers. when he went i wanted to retire but well, im not wealthy so i go on.although he was almost 10 years older he would still be working now if he were alive. i stay in touch with his wife whom i know very well and make sure she's ok.i know that would make him very happy. i hope none of you ever has to do this.it's not fun but it gave me closure.peace.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
Sorry about your bud. Nice looking urn, but tell the truth, you had Rich make the fishing fly with the shaper origin. Looks just like the belt buckle, nice hand work.
I need to get some of that coco bolo stash you keep making things out of, my favorite.
Figuring out how to do something you have never done is what makes a good challenge.
shapers are for those that cant !!! who needs a stinkin shaper ? ;-)) i spent a lot of money at stewmac buying tools and bits just to do that emblem. cost was not an issue,it was all about giving the respect i needed to do it justice. the look on his wifes face when she saw it was worth every penny spent.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
thank you mel ! true best friends are very rare and hard to find.to lose one is a great loss. no one will ever replace him or what he did for me during our time together. we often joked that we spent more time together than with our wives,and that was very true !
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
My condolences. to you and the family. True friends are hard to find and harder to lose. lingering pain but some great memories also. The Urn is beautiful and will be cherished by the family. You did a good and lasting work here Pottz. Ths is truly an outstanding work of a caring Craftsman.
