Lidded box fever *pics*

Re: Lidded box fever *pics*

Brett Sherwood - Richmond, IN

>Nice boxes John !!! I'm currently afflicted with "box fever" also. I'll post pictures Sunday evening of this weekend's creations.

Happy Turning.

Brett

Re: Lidded box fever *pics*

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Very nice. Beautiful sheen, epecially on the first two pieces displayed. Finishing method details, please?

Re: Lidded box fever *pics*

John F.

>The first two are finished with blo/watco mix, the rest are finished with lacquer and wax.

Re: Lidded box fever *pics*

Eduardo Sarmiento Hall-Lima Peru

>Hi those are nice boxes I would like the box to be 30/70 and the top to have a bigger rebate so it will fit air tigth otherwise they are nice Ill post pict when I figure how to post pict here (the ones in my web page are lousy pict) I have made around 75 boxes this month out of a varaety of exotics woods including some curly maple a wood turner from virginia give me in his visit to the shop to see how I made the tops so air tigth it just a trick that will be say in my page in the future (Im lazy to post )one thing IM dissapointed at the quality of woods he got me they were to soft wow no wonder in the videos I have seen long shavings etc here no way youll get those the woods are hard real hard he had a fit when I made him try one of those in a bowl he could not believe the hardness of it he got me

walnut,maple (3)kinds,box elder,maple burl all were like balsa wood very pretty but way to esay for me to turn ED

Re: Lidded box fever *pics*

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)

>Very nice. Nice shape and nice finish. I also love making boxes. Try turning the walls a bit thinner; it won't feel so clunky in your hand. Just a suggestion.

The next step in your evolution as a box turner is to chase threads so that the lid screws on. It is fun when it works but you may lose a few boxes during the learning curve.

John

Re: Lidded box fever *pics*

Brett Sherwood - Richmond, IN

>John,

I realize that you are a pro, and I am a hobbist. My boxes have progressively gotten thinner, and thinner to the point of translucence. Nobody in my audience likes the paper thin boxes. Only a woodturner can appreciate thin walls (and Food Safe according to Russ Fairfield)

All of my boxes have been between 2 and 5 thousandths of an inch in tolerance and I worry that humidity might make them un-openable. One of Russ's tenets was that when someone picks up your work they should be able to open the the box without difficulty.

My hat is off to you for being able to turn threaded boxes as that is "way beyond" my capability at this time. Please post your ideal thicknesses for the different sidewalls of boxes so we might have an idea how the pro's do it.

Thanks,

Brett

"too much time on the lathe"

Tom Sontag - St. Louis

>Asking that here is like walking into a bar and asking if it is okay to have a beer.

Re: Lidded box fever *pics*

John F.

>I've been asked to submit these and a number of others to a shop in santa cruz, ca for sale. As a new turner I have no idea what sort of pricing I should be asking for. I'm a very new turner, I've looked in all the shops around here and have yet to find a box to price. NONE, nada, any suggestions as to how to price them would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Re: Lidded box price

John Cahall

>I get between $35 and $50 for boxes like it in a local art gallery depending on the type of wood, figure etc.

Re: Lidded box price

John F.

>Thank you for your response.

John F.

Re: Lidded box price

John F.

>Sorry for the dry response. I was in a hurry to get to the lathe this morning. I truely appreciate the information. Could you tell me where you are located, so I may compair regional pricing? I know there has been a lot of discussion as to pricing on this forum but as a new turner I dont believe I can charge by the hour, unfair to customer(they wouldnt buy it) and as I become faster/better, it would be unfair to me. I get great enjoyment from making them and it almost seems unfair to even charge for them, however I do hope someday to to go professional and need to start putting my name out there if that is ever to happen.

I have gained so much from this forum and the chat room I felt really bad that I was unable to assist in the server auction, I dont even have the money to provide the shipping which would probably have been more than the selling price of any no name pieces I might have offered. However given time I hope to be able to become a more productive member of this forum.

Thanks to all who have helped me and especially to Ellis for providing this service to me and to all turners/woodworkers who come here.

John F.

Re: Lidded box fever *pics*

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)

>$25-$50 is about right for the boxes that I see in your photos. Make sure there are no sanding marks, bruised grain and are well finished.

As you add features (texturing, color, carving, feature rings, inlays, etc), the prices should increase accordingly. I have sold a lidded box for $500 but most of my boxes are $50 to $150. If I were a turner of the caliber of Cindy Drozda, I would multiply those prices by a factor of five.

Good luck and well done,

John

Re: Lidded box fever *pics*

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)

>Hi Brett,

I agree that you need to turn for the buyer and not for the woodturner. My customers do not like perfect suction-fit lids; they want to be able to lift the lid without having to hold onto the box. I would say the same considerations are true for wall thickness. My "display boxes" are very thin (1/16") so I advise the potential customer to treat it like their fine porcelin or fine china: it is certainly functional but best for occasional use. These boxes are finished with lacquer. Paper thin boxes are merely a novelty with no hope of being an heirloom (so why bother). My "everyday boxes" are more substantial (1/8" or so) but not clunky. I make the rebate longer for these boxes so that the lids will stay on until purposely removed. I like a good fit (no slop) but, again, not a suction fit. I finish these boxes with "wiped on-wiped off" oil/varnish mix so that a patina will develop.

Screw-threads are fun to do but are a bit of a hassel with the climate changes we have on the east coast. I was never very good at chasing threads.

My customers tell me they use my "everyday boxes" to store pocket change, keys, jewlery, Q-tips (custom made), spices, paper clips, buttons, etc and they have been used in wedding ceremonies and used as a gift box for very special gifts (e.g., an anniversary ring). I would turn boxes and vases exclusively except bowls are easier to turn and sell.

John