Oak Box Commission

It started with a Google search...  like ..  'Custom made box..'


I had had a couple of emails from Becky, about making a box for a friend of hers, we exchanged a few emails and Becky came over to the workshop with plenty of details about the sizes and other requirements. We discussed the design, the timber, and style of the box, then how the tray would sit and the loose lid would fit to the box. And of course the finish, after meeting with Becky, something just felt right that I would enjoy doing this one. The job card had now got all of the information that I needed..

Given a reference number, and added to the work schedule.

I try to organise my machine time, so while I had the planer out working on another project, I planed the timber up.

I was hoping to prepare enough wood to possibly make another couple of small boxes at the same time, but concerned about the sizes a bit, as when I read through the details all of the dimensions were internal. I was limited to the amount of Oak I had, so I planed up the two small planks having worked out that I could get the box and tray easily from them.

I Tweeted some of the pics as it was being made, so if you want to keep in touch with what I'm up to pretty much as it happens, then that's the best way..


This turned out to be a lovely box..

click on pictures to enlarge

The lid sits on top of the box, held in place by two small strips of Oak

The colour matches all round because it's all out of the same two pieces

from the same much larger plank

The tray is 20mm deep for playing cards and sits 6 mm below the top edges

A compartment either end for cards and other items.

The tray supports are specially made quadrants, from the same plank 

They keep the tray at the right height and add support to the corner joints.

click on pictures to enlarge

The tray sits 42 mm over the inside base specified by Becky

The box is finished with 6 coats of Danish Oil, with an Open grain satin finish,

which can be left, or waxed to a high gloss if required

A beautiful 21st Birthday gift

Thanks for reading

All the best

Jamie

Surfboard coffee table

I've only just noticed how long it's been since my last posting, so from this, you can imagine how busy I am, there's lots going on, and only a part of it goes onto here.

So, back in March 2013..

This little beauty has been on the cards for over a year now. I wanted to make a coffee table that would be suitable in a living room and also be able to be taken in a camper and used as a coffee table whilst camping out.

So while things are picking up in the workshop, I do want to make different types of things, so I thought it was time to get on with it, and fit it in between jobs.
Some days, it took over and I just kept on going with it, then I might not touch it for a few days.

The wood, the plank of Mahogany has been around a long time, some from John Boddys Timber, and I picked some Maple up from the timber yard a while ago. I always try to pick up the odd bit of timber when I can.. and this Maple is from the same log as the LA Photo frame, in an earlier posting.

When I thought about the design of this table, I wanted it to be able to sit in a modern room or 50s -60's living room... but with the option of being able to take it camping or keep in a camper van. So the legs had to be removable, hmm tricky.

Finished in April, ready for our Open Studio event at the Ruskin Glass Center. But halfway through the build I was asked if I would mind being filmed and interviewed for a piece for The Ruskin Glass Center.

Here's that interview  Click on here

And here is the table..

Lamp and mug are for scale..

60's inspired legs, with a twist..

I tried different layouts for the stripes before settling on these

Twin Stripes with Pinstripes..

The legs unscrew, each one is numbered to get it back in the right socket..

And the circle inlays are Bay Tree oysters.

Photographed in the Loft Photo studio above my work space, this is where i'll be taking all my photos for a while. The white painted old brickwork of the Webb Corbett factory wall is a great backdrop.

The table is for sale and details can be seen in the Gallery.

I've got some catching up to do so it wont be so long until the next time.

Thanks for looking

All the best

Jamie