Maple Jewelry Box - done!

[John Keane]

The attached pics are of a maple jewelry box for which I solicited finishing advice. I followed the advice, and this is the result. I am not fond of finishing maple, but this came out ok.

[Dave Lehnert]

Looks GREAT!!

I am starting to build some small boxes myself. Great way to introduce myself to exotic hardwoods with not a lot of money invested.

[Eduard Nemirovsky]

very nice jewelry box:):):), what size of it?

[Dewey Torres]

I like the finish as well. Good job.
Dewey

[Cary Swoveland]

That's a very nice box, John. It likes whoever it's for has quite a collection.

Cary

[scott spencer]

That's a head turner for sure John! Nice work!

[J. Z. Guest]

Very nice work John! It is amazing the difference a good finish can make, no?

[Chris Padilla]

Nice job! Tell us about the finish. :)

[Barry Bruner]

I think you did a super job, the size of the drawers looks great. I like maple but I have had some finishes that did not turn out as good as I like so maybe you can tell us your secret. BARRY BRUNER

[John Thompson]

Very nice looking, John. When I first glanced at the picture.. I thought tall chest of drawers. I'm getting old I guess as the heading jewelry box didn't relate at that moment.

Again... nicely done.....

Sarge..

[John Keane]

Specs for the jewelry box. It is made from a set of plans available from Meisel Hardware Specialties of Mound Mn. Plan number W1869. I don't remember how I got the plans.

Wood: hard maple; Dimensions 14 1/2"H, 12 1/2"W and 8 1/2D; Drawers 9" by 71/4" deep. Sides and back 3/8", front 3/4".

Finish prep sanded to 220 with ROS. Hand sanded with 240 because that's what I had.

Finish: One coat of Transtint dye (Dk. Vintage Maple (#6009) @ 1:1; coat of BLO followed one day later with one coat of Seal Coat. Waited a day and started 3 coat application of Rockhard Table Top varnish. (24 hours between coats). Sanded between coats with 320 ( had a lot of dust nibs). Let it cure in the house for 3 weeks and then rubbed it out with Menzerna #1, #2 and 16.

At various steps in the process the finish looked unbecoming. When I started the rubout it really looked bad (but I had seen this before). When I had gotten to Menzerna #16 it started to come alive and the buff out is the final result.

I am presently making a cherry cabinet and am using the same process without the dye. I sanded through 220 and hand sanded with 240. I blended a 3:1 concoction of BLO and MS and have applied two coats. It has been drying in the driveway and looks really good. I am going to give it a coat of Seal Coat as a barrier coat even though the BLO is dry. Color coat is warm cherry from General I will finish it off with 3 coats of Rockhard. I am going to dilute the Rockhard 3:1 for flow purposes. Let it cool its heels for three weeks and then rub out with Menzerna. Will submit pics when done; maybe 4th of July.

I appreciate all of the help I have gotten from "the Salt" folks, and am encouraged by your comments. R/JFK

[Jim Becker]

Gorgeous, John! You done good!

[Clara Koss]

wooooo!!!!! gorgeous.... do another one!!!!

[Peter Quadarella]

That is an awesome jewelry box - wow! :)