Willow and1/4 sawn Aspen Spice box

[Brian Knodel]

Finally finished, I was starting to wonder if I'd ever see this day.

From the plans by Glen Huey, an 18th century spice box. Popular Woodworking 'Great American furniture' July 2003. Primary wood is Willow secondary is 1/4 sawn aspen, the top of the box is Diamond Willow. Hardware is from Horton Brasses Inc. A big learning curve for me as I spent much time learned many new techniques and jigs, I made a few mistakes that requiring a complete start over of a few pieces.
As each complete part was completed and fitted it was finished with two coats of Danish Oil as it may be months before I returned to it. The final finish is four coats of Wipe On Poly, inside and out.

The LOML and I initially harvested 22 small Willow tree measuring about 6 inches across, for a rustic table a few years ago, but even with painting the ends of the 7 foot planks for drying, they split and cracked so bad a table was out of the question, there was just enough wood to finish the box.

Many thanks to Michael King for your advice.


Brian
http://www3.telus.net/wood/ftw1.jpg
http://www3.telus.net/wood/ftw2.jpg
http://www3.telus.net/wood/ftw3.jpg
http://www3.telus.net/wood/ftw4.jpg
http://www3.telus.net/wood/ftw5.jpg

[Brett Baldwin]

Nothing like a project that was done by your hand literally from start to finish. Nice job.

[Vaughn McMillan]

Bravo on all counts, Brian. That's some very pretty wood, and you did a great job with it.

- Vaughn

[Mark Patoka]

I like it. Job well done.

[Steve Wargo]

Very Nice! Very clean. A job well done.

[Steve Strickler]

Great job and I like the beer in the photo...nice touch! It looks like your dovetails are machine cut...how in the heck did you do it with them being SO small!

I don't mean to hi-jack your thread, but attached is my version of the same. It was a VERY fun project! Walnut, poplar secondary and quartersawn and lightly spalted hard maple back.

[John Branam]

That is very nice. Where did you get the plans from? I have been wanting to make a spice box like that for some time now.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Brian.........Excellent! I like the wood, the finish and the execution! Beautifully done!

[Bob Childress]

Brian,

Beautiful grain in the wood. Really sets it off. I love it. :D How DID you cut those tails?

[Chris Padilla]

Cool!! Even neater to see two of the same project and see how the same plans produce something different with the chosen wood species.

[Bruce Page]

Brian, that is simply gorgeous. Beautiful attention to detail!

[Michael King]

Brian,
Fantastic!
I've mentioned a few times during the building process how much I liked the lighter wood, and the finished product is truly exceptional.
I love the look of the top and the case dovetails on the top. Nice grain follow through on the drawer fronts. Great job.!
It has been a pleasure to be of help.
Mike

[Michael King]

In response to Chris Padilla, here's a 3rd example, same plans, walnut:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a191/mking143/DSC00075.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a191/mking143/DSC00070.jpgOnce again, great job Brian.

[Corey Hallagan]

Brian that is really nice. I love the wood you used. Nice lines and sharp details. Excellent job.

Corey

[Steve Strickler]

Michael,
I like the color of your walnut. How did you finish it?
Those pins on that second drawer down look very thin...great work!
Love then panel too!
Anyone else? :o

[Brian Knodel]

Thank you all for the kind words

Steve Stricler … You didn't hijack my thread, I just wished you had posted those photos earlier when I was searching for photos of this type of box and wondering ' how'd he do that' I saved Michael King's photos for reference and worked from them just as I have now saved yours. I do like your raised panel.
The dovetails were made on the Jointech router system, first time for me and a steep learning curve, I made a several practice drawers from scrap and then dived into the good wood with my fingers crossed.

John Branam … the plans came from a special edition of Popular Woodworking magazine titled 'Great American Furniture' July 2003 by Glen Huey.

It was also published in PW December 2001 with an inlayed door edition published in PW February 2002

Bob Childress … The dovetails were made on the Jointech router system

Chris Padilla … I couldn't agree more … what a treat!

Thanks all

Brian

[Spence DePauw]

Here's mine, as posted in an earlier thread. (scroll to the bottom of the thread)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=25392

But, I cheated. I took the class from Glen at American Sycamore, so I didn't have to work from the magazine alone. Did it mainly to do the inlaid door.

Spence

[Brian Knodel]

Here's mine, as posted in an earlier thread. (scroll to the bottom of the thread)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=25392

But, I cheated. I took the class from Glen at American Sycamore, so I didn't have to work from the magazine alone. Did it mainly to do the inlaid door.

Spence
Absolutely outstanding.

I am considering attempting inlay one of these days. Any advice or tips not mentioned in Glen Huey's article?

Brian

[Spence DePauw]

Brian, as I recall there was a misprint in the original article of the bushing size for the router to make the spirograph arcs. We had to redo my door, as I was the first one to try it. I don't know if there is a correction on the Pop Wood site or not. I know Glen is teaching the same class at American Sycamore this week, with the inlay class next weekend. You might try emailing him via his web site (link follows). Other than that, just work carefully. It turned out to be easier than I imagined, but then I had Glen at my elbow much of the time. :D :D :D

My other comment is that Glen had the templates we used already made. They would need to be made very carefully.

http://www.woodworkersedge.com/

Spence

[Shelley Bolster]

The message is gone, so am I

[Timo Christ]

Very nice projects!
I like the look of willow as well, great to see something in a rarely used species.
I am wondering how these spice boxes are used.. do you store spices in them? Considering the size, are they placed on the floor or on top of a sideboard or similary elevated?
Timo

[Brian Knodel]

Very nice projects!
I like the look of willow as well, great to see something in a rarely used species.
I am wondering how these spice boxes are used.. do you store spices in them? Considering the size, are they placed on the floor or on top of a sideboard or similary elevated?
Timo
I would imagine that they could be used now days to store what ever you like in them. In the old days I suppose spices didn't come in bottles. I have also heard that the boxes are now called "valuables boxes" as they are more oft used for valuables than spices. Of course if you said you were building a PA valuables box no one would have a clue as to what you were making.

I would also think that they should be placed on the counter if room allows or sideboard, can't imagine it on the floor as you have to bend over so low to retrieve anything out of the box.

Brian