Newbie's first box - Woodworking Talk

autoBrad · 10-04-2008, 10:11 AM

Since you guys always answer my questions.. Figured I'd show you my first project.. Well, 2nd if you could casing out my windows which you guys have seen.. Just a small box with rabbit joints, a dado for the bottom.. It's made of poplar.. What type of oil/stain will poplar easily take for someone that's not an experienced stainer??

Thanks

firefighteremt153 · 10-04-2008, 10:24 AM

Thats a fine looking box autoBrad. As for finishing, I can only speak for myself but I hate stain on anything. I would just simply finish it with something easy until you get the hang of things. You could use a wipe on poly and that will give you a nice finish or maybe tung oil. Im sure the pro's will chime in and give their more experienced advice.

Rob · 10-04-2008, 10:33 AM

That really is a great looking box. You can tell you took your time and did things the right way. I would probably do a light coat of boiled linseed oil and after that cured, do about 6 coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, the tough part...making sure you are patient with the finishing process. It's real easy to try and hurry things up.
Nice work!

**TexasTimbers** · 10-04-2008, 10:47 AM

Sweet. I really like the look of it. The overhang of the lid is just right, and the relief between the feet really sets it off. great job.

Thanks for posting it.

jdixon · 10-04-2008, 01:04 PM

Brad, you did a great job on that. It looks fantastic. Sometimes when I'm trying to match something to another piece of furniture I'll take a scrap piece of the wood I'm working with and pick up several samples of different types of stain and then I'll just stain a strip of each onto the board and give myself an idea of what I like best. Works pretty good and often I find it's one that I wouldn't have originally chosen that I like the best.

John

Kenbo · 10-04-2008, 11:04 PM

Great job on the box Brad. I'd have to agree with firefighter. I'm not a big fan of stain. I prefer to leave wood as natural as I can (don't get me wrong, there are exceptions to this rule) If it were mine, I would place several thin coats of varathane or varnish following each coat with 400 steel wool. If the final finish is not as shiny as you would like, you can finish it off with a little carnuba paste wax. Just a suggestion.

by the way, nice router bits too.

widekerf · 10-05-2008, 12:31 AM

Very nice. Wish my first box had looked like that.

autoBrad · 10-05-2008, 09:01 AM

Thanks for all the positive feedback, I think you guys are right, i might just do some coats of poly or a light stain. I do have to admit, when I was putting the relieve in for the feet, that the router like took a chunk of wood out and the whole foot was gone.. I was frustrated because I didn't have any poplar left, so I had to go bu another 1x6 haha.. but I bought a short piece so, i'll use the left over as a practice piece. I think the next one I'm going to make I'm going to try a box joint, I have a dado set(obviously).. You guys have a good link to the box joint jig you guys use??

Thanks

Brad

knotscott · 10-05-2008, 09:04 AM

Great looking box Brad! I especially like the contents!

firehawkmph · 10-05-2008, 10:49 AM

Brad,
Nice job on the box. I never stain any of my lathe turnings. However, furniture type projects almost always get stained. I would try whatever you are planning for a finish a some leftover scraps. When I do stain, it is normally something very light in color, just to tone the wood enough to go with where I am putting it. Play around a little with the scraps and then decide. What do you plan on using the box for?
Mike Hawkins

Wood4Fun · 10-05-2008, 12:09 PM

thats a fine first box. good job

red · 10-05-2008, 01:38 PM

Way to go. Keep up the good work. Red

autoBrad · 10-05-2008, 07:40 PM

Thanks for more comments.. I have to admit.. I just built it to build something as a skill builder. I don't have a real use for it, I might put sets of keys or something in it. I don't plan on keeping my router bits in there, after I built it I was surprised how much stuff it held. I might make the next one longer and larger so I can put all my wrenches for the tablesaw, router, misc tools in for the woodworking machines. I plan on building a router bit holder but that's what I had sitting near by to throw in it. Yeah, I was thinking of just getting some common stains/oils and trying them on some scraps.

The next one will have box(finger joints) now I just have to get started making the jig haha.