Two boxes

[Curt Fuller]

Both of these boxes were turned from 2x2 wood. The first one is cocobolo with some light sapwood. It's 6" x just under 2". When I was rounding the blank I thought the wood was so pretty that I decided to make the box just a tall straight cylinder to show the wood.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb319/clfuller1_2007/Cocobolobox.jpg http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb319/clfuller1_2007/Cocobolobox1.jpg

This second box is Bocote, 5" x just under 2".
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb319/clfuller1_2007/Bocotebox.jpg

[Steve Schlumpf]

Curt - nice work on both boxes! First one does showcase the grain very well but I have to admit that I like the gentle form of the Bocote even better! Also like the way the lid is slightly recessed into the box! Very nice work! I like the photos too!

[Don Carter]

Curt:
Very inspiring! I am in the midst of learning to turn lidded boxes. These are very nice. I have done a few but none as nice as yours. Thanks for showing them.

All the best.

Don

[David Christopher]

beautiful boxes Curt, now I know what to do with the small pieces that I have laying around. but I bet they wont turn out as nice as yours...Great job

[Bernie Weishapl]

Those are beauties Curt. I like the first one with the sap wood. I like the design of the second.

[Brian Effinger]

Great looking boxes, Curt. I think you were right to leave the form of the cocobolo simple - that is beautiful wood (I just wish I could turn it).

Brian

[alex carey]

Not only are those boxes beautiful but I must say your pictures are awesome. You really got that down.

[Dewey Torres]

Curt,
Where could a newbie look to start to learning these?

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Beautiful wood like that doesn't need anything added, the simple lines do show the wood at it's best, looking good :-))

[David Walser]

Curt,
Where could a newbie look to start to learning these?

Dewey,

For learning how to turn a box, nothing beats hands-on-instruction. Perhaps Woodcraft or Rockler in your area has a class or an experienced turner lives close by who'd be willing to show you how it's done. Barring that, Richard Raffan has a great book/video combination that will show you how it's done. I highly recommend both the book and the video. Here's a link: http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Books___Projects___Turning_Boxes_by_Richard_Raffan ___rr_tbbrr?Args=

If you're a visual learner (rather than someone who can learn by reading a book), Ray Key has a fine set of videos on making boxes. (I prefer Richard Raffan's book and video for my style of learning.) Here's a link: http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Videos___Projects___Ray_Key__set_of_3____key_set_v id?Args=

If you want to get a solid foundation in turning -- boxes, bowls, spindles, etc. -- I highly recommend Craft Supplies USA's week long "basic" course. My wife and I took the class together in 2003. It was a great introduction to turning and we had a lot of fun. In the five days, we each turned (IIRC) an egg, two bowls, a gobblet, a weed pot, a platter, a table leg, and a box. Not bad for two people who'd hardly even held a turning tool before showing up in Provo for the class. Here's a link to the classes: http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/util/workshop?Args=

While the class was great, I'll warn you about one small thing. You think the vortex is strong where you live? Believe me, it's stronger in Provo. Being able to wander through CSUSA's showroom at lunch or on breaks, armed with a 10% off discount, can be intoxicating!

Good luck!

[Dewey Torres]

David,
Your post tool a long time to put together and was well written. Thanks very much for the help!

[Paul Douglass]

Nice boxes. Another thing I'd like to give a try. OHH so much to do, so little time... Maybe less time in front of this computer reading all this good info..

[Jeff Nicol]

Curt, Little boxes are always a wonderful thing to make. They have the hidden treasure inside or a cherished gift. These 2 are simple and beautiful, I have an order for some of them and need to get busy, thanks for the inspiration!

Jeff

[Richard Madison]

Ditto exactly what Steve said. Very pretty.

[Al Wasser]

Dewey, I sent you a PM

[Curt Fuller]

Thanks everyone!


Curt,
Where could a newbie look to start to learning these?

Dewey, I first learned to turn boxes by a couple online tutorials, one by Chris Wright and one by Pam Reilly. I can't find Chris's but here's a link to Pam's.
http://www.woodturner.org/community/youth/projects/Box.pdf That gives you the basic process, then you can modify it for different shapes and styles. I think if you were to google Mike Stafford he also has an excellent tutorial.

The cocobolo box is hollowed entirely using forstner bits in a jacobs chuck and a little sandpaper. The lid was drilled 1/2" deep with a 1 3/4" bit, then the rest of the way with a 1 5/8" bit. The box was drilled all the way with a 1 3/8" bit. That's cheating for sure in the eyes of a purist turner but it sure is quick and easy.

[Dewey Torres]

Thanks everyone!



Dewey, I first learned to turn boxes by a couple online tutorials, one by Chris Wright and one by Pam Reilly. I can't find Chris's but here's a link to Pam's.
http://www.woodturner.org/community/youth/projects/Box.pdf That gives you the basic process, then you can modify it for different shapes and styles. I think if you were to google Mike Stafford he also has an excellent tutorial.

The cocobolo box is hollowed entirely using forstner bits in a jacobs chuck and a little sandpaper. The lid was drilled 1/2" deep with a 1 3/4" bit, then the rest of the way with a 1 5/8" bit. The box was drilled all the way with a 1 3/8" bit. That's cheating for sure in the eyes of a purist turner but it sure is quick and easy.

That is funny Curt I did the same trick for my marquetry tray which is being finished now. Should be done and dry by Wednesday. I will show you. I had the problem of keeping the forstner bit in the exact middle...what is the trick?

Thanks for the link. Going there now!

[Jarrod McGehee]

Curt, Nice boxes. I like the simplicity of the Cocobolo. and that sapwood makes it look even nicer.

[Thad Nickoley]

Beautiful boxes. I would like to try some boxes soon. But right now i am really curious as to your picture tecniques. How do you go about getting such beautiful shots?

[Curt Fuller]

Beautiful boxes. I would like to try some boxes soon. But right now i am really curious as to your picture tecniques. How do you go about getting such beautiful shots?

Thanks Thad.
I use one of the cheapo ebay photo tents, a piece of watercolor paper for the background, 3 5k daylight flourescent light bulbs in the cheap aluminum reflectors (one on each side and one above the tent), and a Canon Powershot S2 1S on the auto setting. I use google Picasa3 to crop, click on the "I'm feeling lucky" option and sometimes add a little fill light.