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Oak and Wenge Box

S

Stuart

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This one started quite some time ago with the intent of being a wedding present for my sister.

Home made burr oak veneer that I've had for years left over from a course I attended over an 8mm ish oak base. The wenge is also 'left overs' from a project on the same course so I do get to use stuff eventually!

Initial veneering of the lid left it warped (see viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7932) but a period of time in clamp brought it back to usable.

It was initially going to be hinged but a last minute change in design meant lift off was the only real option.

Even now I'm not convinced the change has improved the final product and I'm having serious doubts whether I will actually give it to her or buy some towels!

I know makers are supposed to find fault with their projects but this one has me feeling almost a dislike for it. My wife thinks it's fine but I remain unconvinced. Lining is leather (that looks good!).

Finish is many coats of shellac well rubbed down followed by several coats of the magic mix then waxed.
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Some of the photos make the wedge look very 'grainy' and open pored but that's just a trick of the light.
 
It's horrible. Totally unsuitable for your sister. Give it to me instead :lol:
 
Seriously, it's a fine piece of work and I am sure she will be thrilled. I like the veneers.

I've got a stock of big Wenge planks at home that I bought for a project and then changed my mind. However, handling the stuff is a nightmare: wenge splinters are really painful and get infected seemingly instantly!
 
I understand that everyone always finds fault with their own work. However, that looks absolutely stunning to me and I'm jealous of the skills that were used to make it. Puts my stuff to shame and I'm seriously impressed.
 
Well, that's quirky and unusual, and all the better for it.

I'm not sure if you get the full benefit from the mixture if you apply it over shellac. Not sure, because I've never tried it. Hopefully someone will one day do a side-by-side test.
 
Stuart":1lfc13ep said:
Even now I'm not convinced the change has improved the final product and I'm having serious doubts whether I will actually give it to her or buy some towels!

I know makers are supposed to find fault with their projects but this one has me feeling almost a dislike for it. My wife thinks it's fine but I remain unconvinced. Lining is leather (that looks good!).

Finish is many coats of shellac well rubbed down followed by several coats of the magic mix then waxed.
Click to expand...
Clearly you're unconvinced by this one and I can see why, but could you gives us further details about what irks you? - Rob
 
Stuart
You shouldn't be criticising your work, it a beautiful box!
And the veneer is stunning!

Maybe I'm a little strange, but I could sit and look at that burr vanner for hours.


Sent from my Redmi Note 9S using Tapatalk
 
Thank you for the kind comments, - much appreciated.

AJB Temple":c3x365ml said:
I've got a stock of big Wenge planks at home that I bought for a project and then changed my mind. However, handling the stuff is a nightmare: wenge splinters are really painful and get infected seemingly instantly!
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Yes, - it's a pig to work with. Splinters easily and the dust gets in to open pored wood and can be difficult to remove. I'm running out now, only have a few small pieces left. Can't see me buying any more given the size of the piece I'd have to buy and the cost versus the amount I use. Is a good contrast with oak though.

Mike G":c3x365ml said:
I'm not sure if you get the full benefit from the mixture if you apply it over shellac. Not sure, because I've never tried it. Hopefully someone will one day do a side-by-side test.
Click to expand...
I did a couple of test pieces before this with shellac, the mix and a combination of both and was pleasantly surprised at the overall finish. Gives a nice sheen (to my liking anyhow, - not dissimilar to shellac on its own) and appeared to be 'robust' when I manhandled test pieces.

Cabinetman":c3x365ml said:
Looks very nice to me, what made you stop F/polishing it and then put a different finish on it? Was it not looking right or something?
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I wasn't intentionally French polishing. I use shellac quite a lot as I like it as a base for a wax finish and find it works quite well when rubbed back as a bit of a grain filler. It's also pretty foolproof for someone who's a bit of a 'clumsy' finisher.

Woodbloke":c3x365ml said:
Clearly you're unconvinced by this one and I can see why, but could you gives us further details about what irks you? - Rob
Click to expand...
It's a bit of a long story but starts with changing the design after work started. You might remember a question about thickness and hinges a while ago? Originally this was going to be a simple box with wedge inlay all round and a hinged lid.
I then thought it would work with thicker corners and was going to look at producing a rounded corner post. I didn't have enough wenge to make trial corners so in consultation with chief designer ended up with square corners. This also meant that hinges had to be abandoned as they wouldn't work and look good with this size overhang at the back.
I then decided that the end grain corners on the 'tops' and 'bottoms' of the opened box didn't look right and were vulnerable to damage hence the chamfered edges which I'm really, really unsure about.
And I just don't think it works as an overall piece. That and the fact it spent far too long on the bench made me almost resent it. I'm glad it's finished but I just can't bring myself to feel satisfied with it.
I'd also be interested in why you agree with me.
 
Stuart":16gocbph said:
Woodbloke":16gocbph said:
Clearly you're unconvinced by this one and I can see why, but could you gives us further details about what irks you? - Rob
Click to expand...
It's a bit of a long story but starts with changing the design after work started. You might remember a question about thickness and hinges a while ago? Originally this was going to be a simple box with wedge inlay all round and a hinged lid.
I then thought it would work with thicker corners and was going to look at producing a rounded corner post. I didn't have enough wenge to make trial corners so in consultation with chief designer ended up with square corners. This also meant that hinges had to be abandoned as they wouldn't work and look good with this size overhang at the back.
I then decided that the end grain corners on the 'tops' and 'bottoms' of the opened box didn't look right and were vulnerable to damage hence the chamfered edges which I'm really, really unsure about.
And I just don't think it works as an overall piece. That and the fact it spent far too long on the bench made me almost resent it. I'm glad it's finished but I just can't bring myself to feel satisfied with it.
I'd also be interested in why you agree with me.
Click to expand...
OK, I'm going to be brutally honest. It's the castellated corner posts that for me simply don't work, whichever way it's sliced and you're absolutely right in that it just doesn't work as an overall piece. From personal experience over many decades, sometimes a job is just wrong and this is one of them. Were it me, that box would've been bandsaw fodder a long time ago. Apologies for the somewhat harsh reply but I didn't want to respond until you'd posted your thoughts on it - Rob
 
I see those extended corner posts as being different, quirky, non-conformist even. I do not recall ever seeing anything like it before. I like “different” and whatever we think of the design the whole box appears to have been excellently executed.

You could always buy the towels anyway, use them to wrap the box. ;)
 
Perception is an odd thing. I quite like the corners as I think it separates the design from the norm and the contrast between the wenge and burr elm works for me. I suspect if you stuck it on a stall at a fair or in a shop you would have plenty of takers.
I know what you mean about not being happy with it Stuart and that's normal of anyone striving for perfection, I'm not completely happy with a single thing I've ever made as I can always see ways to make them better, the reality is that your family, friends and the general public see it very differently.
Don't beat yourself up mate.

EDIT
Andy beat me to it. :)
 
I've been keeping quiet, but now that Rob has posted, I'll add my misgivings.

I too think that the posts look mismatched to the rest of the design, too much like the legs of a square stool.

However, the black edgings that run horizontally are nice and slender and just offset the very highly figured oak.

If you trimmed the posts back by rounding over or chamfering the arrises, could you get to something with the same visual weight? Might that look more balanced?

And maybe trim their tops back flush with the lid too.
 
I like the prominent corner posts, the rise above the surface of the lid, their chamfers, and particularly the double chamfers between the lid and base.
 
I have absolutely no problem with people critiquing the box because they don’t like it. No need to apologise for stating your opinion.

It would appear it’s something of a ‘marmite’ box. I’ve had (mostly) positive comments with a few dislikes from those who’ve seen it in the flesh.

Still undecided whether to give as a present or not. My wife is more than happy to have it if not.

Rob, - it would have been bandsaw fodder if it wasn’t the last of my decent burr oak!
 
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