With most of my latest projects being MDF based, I was getting a tad paranoid about developing a reputation for imitation timber… that does not sit well with my regular cheap cask-o-vino… not the vino, but with the besmirchment of my integrity!
As penance and confirmation that I’m not a total loss, I’m offering this migrated project, initially posted on 5th May, 2020 at LJ, to prove to both you and me that there is life intermixed with the auspices of that lowly manufactured timber.
Before all you wowsers repeat the LJ outcry and start screaming, “What thoughtful parent would call their son Stebe?”, it is a bad Old English font that made the “v” look like a “b”… even I can spell… when written down in front of me.
The box is made from pine with dovetail (Leigh D4R) joins and the trims and lettering is Jarrah).
The foam inserts are from exercise supplied by Clark Rubber with the rifle profile cut out on a scroll saw… didn’t have access to any kaizen foam.
Lid held on by a length of piano hinge and a swag of M2 screws. Could have done a better job attaching the name plate than those stainless screws… not my idea, as if I screwed it up, it would have been with countersunk brass.
------------------------------------- ooooOOOO From LJ OOOOooooo -----------------------------------------
Boys and Girls,
Several years ago a friend of mine asked me if I could make him a gun carrying case. As he made his own vino, I just couldn't refuse… for a BIG sample!
While we have restricted gun laws here in Australia, he belonged to a Black Powder Gun club which is located about 150K from his residence and he wanted some sort of a case to transport his single shot, boom-boom stick (pic #2) there.
Unfortunately it was an impromptu build while he was visiting for a weekend, so I didn't take any happy snaps of the build.
The case was made out of simple radiate pine (off my shelf), dovetailed with a piano hinged top. I put a walnut trim around the perimeter of the top and created a laser cut inlay plaque with his name (walnut in pine using an Old English font), so he could remember his name… His address was engraved on the inside of the box so he could find his way home as long as he didn't lose the key to the lock. With the gun inside, it'd be hard to shoot the lock off… though he could've borrowed another member's gun… unless that was inside another locked box also with a lost key.
Unfortunately we didn't have time to fully finish it, so he took it home to oil and lacquer it. He provided the hardware and placed the plaque… personally, I wouldn't have used visible screws to attach the plaque.
While catching up with him by phone during the C-19 lockdown, the case came into conversation and I asked him to send me a couple of photos so I could post them here, if only to prove to the sceptics out there that I don't just work with MDF.
Though I didn't take any pictures of the box build, I did take some photos of the plaque build as it was the flavour of the day for me at that time. It took me about 3 hours overnight to make up the plaque while that bugger drank all my vino as I had to stay sober to avoid tattooing myself with the laser…
The inlay pieces were cut out .2mm larger than the base to allow for the kerf of the laser and avoid a visible "seam",
The little bits and pieces between the letters had to be salvaged out of the original pine base to fill in the gaps in the walnut,
The name was circumferenced by some Jarrah strips to make it into a "plaque",
Notwithstanding, I would not have made the box if I knew about the family's line of business,
PS. Any one you don't like or need a few more shekels?
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Don’t be crafty Craftisians,... SHARE your craft!
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
well done my dear ducking. it's nice to see something made from "real" wood and not a puzzle ! i always had a feeling you ran with the unseedy of the world and would do anything for some vino. but not to judge, just enjoy !
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
Nice job but something doesn't make sense. He makes his own wine and the deal as I understand it was he gets the case and you get the wine. This guy got it all, he might have brought the wine, but then drank it up, and left with the box. However along with proof that you actually have some real timber, your Old English letter inlays came out excellent. Anyone who has never tried it has no idea how long it takes.
I remember this box (but I can't remember if I left the air compressor on)
You hang with a rough crowd, but good to see you have actual wood to work your magic on. Clever way to get a great fit with the letters, just amazing they didn't get trashed in the process, That font has a lot of delicate bits!. Stebe must be a happy camper.
Oh yes reminds me of the Ivan Milatt days there is nothing wrong with MDF or HDF as I use it for Jigs and patterns its a very good material for craft items jigs and assorted items just keep it away from moisture like (in the kitchen) Soon I will have to get 2it and rebuild the sides. But in the mean time the water sensor lets me know to get a towel ready if my heirloom (30YO) dishwasher is leaking yet again
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