A two-legged box

[Mark]

My first really successful "box". I know the inside is only drilled rather than turned, but the exterior was a might more challenging. This is a chunk of an ornamental "shrub" that's known around here as evergreen arbor vitae.

Didn't show-up well in the pics, but I call it two-legged, because the top of the box used to be closest to earth, and the bottom of the box, is the upper end of a crotch between two limbs of this bush.

It's in the juniper family, but even softer grained than juniper. This piece was fresh cut from my spring pruning - had to take a couple of these out, as we remodel our front yard. They grow as 2 to 3 foot diameter bushes, 12 to 18 feet tall. Weird things, and they don't like the snow much. Tend to get all splayed-out under the weight of snow on their branches.

Enjoy,
Mark

[Doug B]

Now that is different Mark. I've always wanted to make a turned box and never got a round tuit. One of these days...

That is some crazy grain! Beautiful!

[maverick31]

that is cool, I have yet to turn a box too. That grain is really nice. great job.

[sdb777]

When I first saw this post, I was thinking it was going to be one of those 5-sided box posts..... But the pictures, ah..... Awesome idea!

Was wondering?
What are the actual steps in making this item? I've never even thought about something like this, and I'd like to know what you had to do......

What is the product used as a finish too?





Scott (where's that blueberry muffin I just got) B

[jb34]

That is pretty cool. I like it. Nice work. Very interesting grain on it.

[tomd]

That is a very clever and unique box, nice job.

[fredbelknap]

Mark that is nice work. Looks like it would be rather out of balance. My lathe would be doing the chicken.

[deepsplinter]

Mar 30, 2010 5:01:10 GMT -6 fredbelknap said:

Mark that is nice work. Looks like it would be rather out of balance. My lathe would be doing the chicken.

That's what I'm thinkin'. Isn't something that far out of balance a real bitch to turn?

Interesting lookin' piece, Mark.

[mcbryde]

I'd like to know how you went about turning the top of it if you don't mind telling. I mean gettingthe top off, and fittable.

E

[admin]

It was probably not all turned at once. Cut off a thin piece (like a cookie), turn it to shape, then turn the rest of the vessel, then all that's left is matching the lid to the opening.

TJ.

[Mark]

Oh this is fun - now I've got you guys guessin' at how I made something.

For starters, the surface that it is displayed on in the picture, is a 1 gallon paint can under a piece of cloth, for a size reference. It's not real big, so not much mass to spin. The wood is also rather light in density, being a cousin of Juniper, so didn't have much problem with the lathe walkin' on me. Bowls I've turned have been much more bouncy.

The cross section was more of a twisted oval, rather than a cylinder, so couldn't use a parting tool at all. I chose a center at each end, that would give me the most material at the top, and provide the waist where the oval changed orientation. Put the "log" between centers, and cut tenons on each end for chucking. Decided where in length I'd seperate it, then scored the very soft bark with a utility knife. I used a back saw very carefully to cut it into two segments. That also minimized the amount of wood lost in chips at the join line. Most of the rest is per Raffan's "Turning Boxes". Once the body and lid were turned, I put the lid on the top, and used the tailstock to keep it seated. I use a dowel in the live center, so that I can actually cut right to the center of the piece it's holding, before it starts to get loose. Once the top was done, used a plug shaped jam chuck to hold the bottom while attempting to turn the base. Because this wood is so light and stringy, it didn't work so well. Ended up finishing the base on the belt sander, so it's not concave as it should be. I may do some hand shaping to dish it a bit.

At this point, the turned portion is treated with BLO only, and the bark is just like it was when I cut the bush down. The sap is now oozing up out of the edges of the bark, so will let that happen for awhile before I decide if it gets any more finish. It hasn't cracked, and the lid still fits snuggly. I've turned simple spindle type work out of this wood before, and find that it doesn't check. A small bowl I did though did check, so kind of surprised at this one.

Thanks for the comments and interest everyone. I do enjoy seeing your work too, and get inspiration from it.

Mark

[deepsplinter]

Thanks for the "How to", Mark.

(pretending I understood it)