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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

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Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#1

Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>
Hi Everyone,

Here are some photos I just took of (2) boxes I turned over the weekend. I'm sort of proud of the fact that I didn't give up on boxes. Even after I blew up (3) right in a row!


While turning these last two, I had an epiphany of sorts. I realized that I needed to modify the sequence in which I was turning the individual features, as well as NOT attempting to use a skew until I feel a lot more confident with that tool! I think (2) of those failures were from skew related catches.


The box on the left is Ambrosia Maple with a walnut finial. The box on the right is Mahogany with a Zircote finial. This time I made the finials much more delicate that my last attempt. I was also going for more of a "hollow form" appearance than your typical box shape.


The Ambrosia Maple box is 6 1/2" tall (from base to tip of finial), and 3 1/2" in diameter (at it's widest). The finial is about 1 1/2" tall, while the base is approximately 1" in diameter. The Mahogany box is 6" tall (from base to tip of finial), and 3 1/2" in diameter. The finial is about 1 1/2" tall, while the base is approximately 1 3/4" in diameter. The wall thickness on both boxes is about 1/4".

Both boxes were sanded to 12000 grit (micro mesh), and given several coats of PSI's Friction lacquer sealer. Afterwords, they were buffed with white diamond and given a coat of Renaissance wax.


Of the two, I am much happier with the shape of the Ambrosia maple box. I attribute that fact to my ability to alter the sequence of turning to more suit the design.


Ambrosia Maple box with Walnut Finial & Mahogany Box with Zircote Finial


Boxes with lids removed


View showing bases of boxes


View showing inside of boxes

Thanks for viewing.

See ya around,

My ugly mug


Dominic

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#2

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

Joel Hunnicutt

>Both nice, but you are right the maple box is dead on! Good job.

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#3

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Ditto what Joel said! The finial on the maple box really matches well. It is a definite winner. I like the shape on the other one, too, but it appears a bit heavy.

I would have been surprised if you HAD given up Dominic. Where were you getting skew catches, on the finials? (me too, so I typically slow the lathe down to about 2rpm)

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#4

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

Ron in Drums PA

>Nice looking boxes Dom. I use a 1/4" round skew for small finials.

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#5

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

Rodney in Maypearl, TX

>Outstanding Dominic,

They're both attractive, but I'm with you on the ambrosia maple.

Very nice job with the finials.

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#6

Ditto - Ditto.

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

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Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#7

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

RevDoug

>Dom,

I am going to agree with you and the others. I especially like the lines on the mahogany box and the way they hide the joint line. Very nice.

Turn 'em round,

RevDoug

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#8

Finials were easy!

Dominic Greco at home in Richboro, PA

>Mike,

Thanks for the compliments!

You know, the finials were the easy part! I guess all those pens I made during Christmas really gave me some practice with small spindles. I had the lathe up around 800-1200 RPM and just used my 1/4" detail gouge to form them. I figured that I'd turn them at the same speed I turn pens.

My trouble was with my 3/4" skew. It I tried anything with it, I'd get a catch. And the funny thing is that I was using it almost exclusively when I was pen turning! And I thought it was great! The trouble shows up when I go to use it on larger pieces.

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#9

Thanks for the kind words!

Dominic Greco at home in Richboro, PA

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Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#10

Re: Finials were easy!

Ed in No.VA

>Dom,

You may need a wider skew than 3/4 to keep that tip away from the wood. Also any small knots or crazy grain could give a problem.

Keep going round

Ed

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#11

Keith Tompkins

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Dom, the improvement in your finials is dramatic. These are great!

Try this.....imagine the skew is simply a gouge that has been hammered flat. Now, cut with the center of the edge, with the bevel rubbing, of course. Most catches occur when the short point is contacting the wood. No problem on a pen, which is fairly flat, but if turning a bead using the short point, the second the point leaves the wood, the edge behind it begins to cut....instant catch! Not enough bevel rubs when this happens, the cut can't be controlled.

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#12

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

Mike Rubes, Apex, NC

>Hi Dominic,

As usual for me, I am coming in late!! I really like these pieces, especially the maple one. You're right in that hte finial on that one seems to work better. I think they both are nice, though.

Thanks for the pics, great stuff!

Mike

Time to tighten my pulleys in Apex, NC

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

#13

Re: Ambrosia maple & Mahogany Boxes

Jim Shaver, Oakville Ontario

>Hi Dom,

I like them both!!!

take care,

Jim

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