Desk box

[ROb McGilp]

Hi all,

This is a box made totally by Festool tools except for the base which was resawn on a Bandsaw.
Wish I could get back to real furniture, but the house is full!!!
The timber is Gerronggang (Cratoxylon arborescens) which is common in Malaysia and Indonesia in swamp forests. The splines and hinges are Wenge. Unfortunately I had started the splines when I realised the Wenge had borer holes in it, which made it a little more delicate than usual when finishing with the sander.
The timber darkens with exposure to air. For this reason, I selected China Wood Oil rather than my traditional Scandinavian Oil. The China Wood doesn't seem to darken timber as much as the Scandinavian. Its very easy timber to work and planes, saws and sands beautifully. The box is 320x220x100mm. Tools used were TS75, RO150, Carbatec 17" Bandsaw and a paring knife (for the dowel hinges). The great thing about making these boxes is that
1. They have been commissioned by a Timber Merchant for diplay. (Recognition)
2. The give me twice the quantity required free. ( I get great free timber)
3. I can play with some new designs.

What a winner ;D

Regards,

Rob

 

[Mirko]

Rob,
Damn fine box! love the splines love the dining set on your site! love the idea of free wood!

Mirko

 

[ROb McGilp]

Thanks for the kind words Mirko. Just a little bit about the table. I think its always interesting to hear the history behind a pice.
Three weeks before Christmas two years ago, we received the always dreaded words, "Christmas is at your house this year!!!, from my wife's family. Including assorted partners and offspring, this amounted to 14 people. Our then dining capacity was four on a round plastic outdoor setting. Crisis, what crisis I declared, went and bought the timber and settled down with my trusty belt sander, El Cheapo electric plane, some navel lint and a Popsicle stick ( just call me McGiver) ;D and created the table. Remember that Christmas here is hot and I was working in a carport at temperatures of 85+ for most of the time. In retrospect, I'd do things differently, but hey, hindsight is always 20/20. And I have more toys and experience now. Just thought you'd like to hear that.

Regards,

Rob

 

[Mirko]

Rob,
Great story, I thought it was funny you mentioned, "MacGyver" i have a few comments on the subject..
1)I use the term "MacGyver" allot.
2)MacGyver was filmed/produced here in Vancouver.
3)My room mate's father worked as a set carpenter, for the duration of the series.
4)After the show ended, his father kept one of the folding directors chairs used on set.
5)We have the chair in our house.
6)Whenever somebody uses the Term, "MacGyver" they get to hear this exciting story ;D

Mirko

 

[ROb McGilp]

Mirko,
Sorry for misspelling MacGyver. Given his resourcefulness, check that he's not actually living in the arm or leg of the chair and living on wayward beetles and spiders.  ;D
Also, the chairs are from a Popular Mechanics book I think, but I have the full slightly modified plan here if you, or anyone else is interested. The original calls for Mahogany and Wenge and Sapele trim. I was orifinally going to use ironbark for them, but after assembling one, realised that an invitaion for dinner would be an invitation to a coronary or hernia. ;D

Regards,

Rob

 

[ROb McGilp]

Hi everyone,
I was going to show some pics of the box after 3 days of sitting quietly by itself, but using the flash makes it look too similar to the shots immediately finishing and the comparison would not be valid if  I were to change the parameters.
One thing though, as I've said before, I usually use Scandinavian oil, but used China wood oil this time. I have now noticed small patches of irregular colour( a bleached appearance). I am usually meticulous in washing with turps before oiling and what I usually achieve gives me an even finish. If you are going to use China wood oil, I suggest be liberal in cleaning the timber before finishing. It's a bugger if you don't.

Regards,

Rob