New Box [Archive] - Glock Talk

Littleman

09-15-2007, 13:24

I need to practice inlay before I inlay my next guitar, but I didn't want to waste the Abalone Shell(it costs $35 an ounce)

So I figured I'd just build a box to hold my new Glock I'll be getting soon. That way I can practice inlay and not waste materials. :supergrin:

I haven't inlayed it yet, I'll do that later today. But here is what I built yesterday.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/box_5970.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/box_5971.jpg
interior dimensions:
7" x 9.5" x 2"

After I finish the inlay and rub some Shellac on it I'll put some hinges on for the lid.

The wood is:
Violin grade flame maple on the top framed in Wenge(African Black Wood... extremely hard & heavy)

The Wenge bottom is nearly one inch thick. (didn't feel like re-sawing it at the time... so I left it thick)

Sides are Maple.

It's extremely strong, I love it.

btw, I'm going to inlay the state of Texas in the very center on the top. (small so as not to waste guitar materials.)

I seem to be getting better at woodworking since it only took me one day to get from wood blanks to that. :)

Thanks for looking, let me know what you think. :wavey:

Zonny

09-15-2007, 13:32

Nice box!!! :thumbsup:

c-mama

09-15-2007, 13:41

VERY nice! :hearts:

Littleman

09-15-2007, 13:45

I designed it myself as I was building it. It just came together.

mainly around "ok, I have this much wood... what can I build?" lol

m2hmghb

09-15-2007, 13:46

Beautiful wood. Have you seen some of the woods they carry at woodcraft? I got some to try to make pistol grips with, holy cow some of that is beautiful stuff.

I've been thinking of making some jewelry boxes lately. Ever make anything like that?

Littleman

09-15-2007, 13:55

Originally posted by m2hmghb
Beautiful wood. Have you seen some of the woods they carry at woodcraft? I got some to try to make pistol grips with, holy cow some of that is beautiful stuff.

I've been thinking of making some jewelry boxes lately. Ever make anything like that?
yep, I do... mostly as gifts though.
I was going to say, if anyone wants me to make them anything special... just PM me and we'll talk.

Woodcraft is nice, but they are pretty expensive. I order my wood from a dealer in Washington State. He has a much broader selection of tonewoods for guitars.

LV 702

09-15-2007, 14:18

Very nice.:wavey:

<----Not handy at all.:banana:

okie

09-15-2007, 14:34

Lookin good my friend;) :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

G33

09-15-2007, 14:46

Cool!
:supergrin:

Littleman

09-15-2007, 15:32

Thanks y'all!

That wood is going to look kicka_ss when I get the finish on it. :thumbsup:

m2hmghb

09-15-2007, 15:51

You ever think of cutting some sturdy foam in a cut out for your pistol then covering it with felt and coating the felt with a silicone preservative? That might be a nice touch for it. Oh and I don't know of many dealers who have exotic woods in the area or online so I'm kinda stuck with woodcraft for now.

Littleman

09-15-2007, 16:10

Originally posted by m2hmghb
You ever think of cutting some sturdy foam in a cut out for your pistol then covering it with felt and coating the felt with a silicone preservative? That might be a nice touch for it. Oh and I don't know of many dealers who have exotic woods in the area or online so I'm kinda stuck with woodcraft for now.
my mom is a quilt maker, she is going to make me a "removable pillow" for it. Very thin, since I only left about 0.5" of clearance above for the gun.

It will just sit down in the bottom. :thumbsup:

tous

09-16-2007, 06:07

Very nice work, mi amigo. :thumbsup:

I spent a good part of my youth inlaying banjo and guitar fingerboards. You should wear a particle mask when cutting abalone and mother-of-pearl (nacre.) The dust is very abrasive and if inhaled, can cause problems.

I thought importation of abalone shell and mother-of-pearl was illegal?

Unlocked

09-16-2007, 06:37

Very nice box.

I'm a hobbiest woodworker myself, but nowhere near good enough to do any inlay work. I'm anxious to see the lid when your done.

Not trying to hijack, but here's a display box I made for a GT'r last year who's dad hit a whole in one.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mautdr/100_0694.jpg

I love woodworking and don't find the time to do near enough of it.

Littleman

09-16-2007, 07:07

Originally posted by tous
Very nice work, mi amigo. :thumbsup:

I spent a good part of my youth inlaying banjo and guitar fingerboards. You should wear a particle mask when cutting abalone and mother-of-pearl (nacre.) The dust is very abrasive and if inhaled, can cause problems.

I thought importation of abalone shell and mother-of-pearl was illegal?
I haven't heard whether is was illegal or wasn't... I just buy it from my local distributor. (there are plenty out there...) I guess as a distributor they just have to go about it legally. (I have no clue what the law is)

Thanks for the tip about wearing the particle mask. I would have never thought the wiser.

btw, this will be my first inlay project. If you have any other tips they would be MUCH appreciated! :)

Littleman

09-16-2007, 07:08

Unlocked,
That's a nice trophy! I'm sure whoever got it has it on his wall right now. haha :thumbsup:

Mrs. VR

09-16-2007, 07:42

I like your box! :supergrin:

I love inlayed wood, I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Littleman

09-16-2007, 10:41

Originally posted by Mrs. VR
I like your box! :supergrin:

I love inlayed wood, I can't wait to see what you do with it!
I have to work today... I'll be able to work on it a little tomorrow though. :)

ppk/sfan

09-16-2007, 10:49

VERY nice work! I can't wait to see the finished product.

tous

09-16-2007, 14:03

Originally posted by Littleman
I haven't heard whether is was illegal or wasn't... I just buy it from my local distributor. (there are plenty out there...) I guess as a distributor they just have to go about it legally. (I have no clue what the law is)

Thanks for the tip about wearing the particle mask. I would have never thought the wiser.

btw, this will be my first inlay project. If you have any other tips they would be MUCH appreciated! :)

When you cut the inlay, undercut it somewhat and bevel the pieces the other way. This gives you more glue surface and causes the piece to float in the hole. If you try to press it in, you'll crack the inlays and have to cut another one. Use clear epoxy tinted with analine dye to match the groundwood to embed the pieces.

When I did fingerboards, I would lay out the pieces with a dab of rubber cement and then spray a light coat of gray or white spray paint over the thing. When you remove the pieces, you have the exact pattern you need to work with. The lacquer gets sanded off or it can be easily removed with mineral spirits.

Good luck, mi amigo. It's a fun hobby. :thumbsup:

You already know about making a flat board with a slot and turning the blade on your jeweler's saw around so you always cut on the downstroke. :wavey:

mnglocker

09-17-2007, 00:20

Originally posted by Mrs. VR
I like your box! :supergrin:

I love inlayed wood, I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Anyone else find this to be borderline on the TOS?:animlol:

<--- Has a Dirty after a long day at work.

Littleman

09-17-2007, 05:18

Originally posted by tous
When you cut the inlay, undercut it somewhat and bevel the pieces the other way. This gives you more glue surface and causes the piece to float in the hole. If you try to press it in, you'll crack the inlays and have to cut another one. Use clear epoxy tinted with analine dye to match the groundwood to embed the pieces.

When I did fingerboards, I would lay out the pieces with a dab of rubber cement and then spray a light coat of gray or white spray paint over the thing. When you remove the pieces, you have the exact pattern you need to work with. The lacquer gets sanded off or it can be easily removed with mineral spirits.

Good luck, mi amigo. It's a fun hobby. :thumbsup:

You already know about making a flat board with a slot and turning the blade on your jeweler's saw around so you always cut on the downstroke. :wavey:

wow, thanks man. I had never heard or thought of the spray paint trick! I'm definitely going to use it!

I'll let y'all know how it turns out. :thumbsup:

Littleman

09-17-2007, 08:00

ok, I cut the shell out this morning. (just finished actually)

Here it is just marked out.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5973.jpg

This is after I cut it out. The other parts of shell are the pieces from the blank. (cut off)
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5974.jpg

Here's how big it is. (nearly one inch)
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5976.jpg

It's really beautiful. When I get back from work I'll inlay it into the wood. I'm thinking of inlaying it into rosewood, then inlaying the rosewood into the top of the box.

Thanks to Tous, it was fairly easy. :thumbsup:

c-mama

09-17-2007, 08:12

Wonderful!

m2hmghb

09-17-2007, 13:06

You know that piece looks just like Texas. Beautiful work.

El Duderino

09-17-2007, 13:22

Originally posted by mnglocker
Anyone else find this to be borderline on the TOS?:animlol:

<--- Has a Dirty after a long day at work.

Same here. I've been trying to be good.

Mrs. VR

09-17-2007, 14:46

you know I handed that to you guys;)

FF Wife

09-17-2007, 15:41

and here I thought I was the only one with a dirty mind :animlol:

nice lookin' piece of woodworking there, btw :supergrin: you're not makin' it any easier to not pick up the hobby

js_gresham

09-17-2007, 15:48

Very cool box. Post pics of the Guitar when you get'r'done.

I love people that have talent! And the OAF is full of them. :)

Sidhe

09-17-2007, 16:19

Gorgeous gorgeous FREAKIN Gorgeous!

I need to get down your way so I can see the work in person bud.

:wavey:

Littleman

09-17-2007, 16:46

Originally posted by Sidhepro
Gorgeous gorgeous FREAKIN Gorgeous!

I need to get down your way so I can see the work in person bud.

:wavey:
yep, that you do!

mi casa es su casa! :thumbsup:

Littleman

09-18-2007, 16:42

after an hour of sitting there with the dremel tool and an assortment of extremely small chisels... I got it in the wood!

it's drying right now. :banana:

I can't wait 'till I sand back and see it. :supergrin:

gruntmedik

09-18-2007, 17:05

Nice work :thumbsup:

I can't wait til our garage is built. It will have space for me to have a woodworking shop. :banana:

Littleman

09-18-2007, 18:16

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5978.jpg

:supergrin: :supergrin: :supergrin:

c-mama

09-18-2007, 18:26

Awesome. :thumbsup:

Littleman

09-18-2007, 19:33

it's a big step for me. I've attempted inlaying many many times before(with the wrong equipment)

all of which were pretty bad failures.

so... I'm happy. :banana:

gruntmedik

09-18-2007, 23:23

That looks awesome. :thumbsup:

tous

09-19-2007, 06:22

Muy bueno, mi amigo. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Remember, inlay and marquetry are a patient man's activity. :wavey:

You going for a polished finish or something more matte?

c-mama

09-19-2007, 06:57

Littleman, nice avatar. ;)

Sidhe

09-19-2007, 07:05

Originally posted by c-mama
Littleman, nice avatar. ;)

Oooh Yes!

He snuck in the inlay. MOST OUTSTANDING! :hearts:

tous

09-19-2007, 07:24

The box needs a blankie! :banana: :banana: :banana:

c-mama

09-19-2007, 07:30

tous, you're so funny. :rofl:

Unlocked

09-19-2007, 07:37

That looks great!!!!!!!!!!!

And so does your avatar!!!!!!!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Littleman

09-19-2007, 11:09

Originally posted by tous
Muy bueno, mi amigo. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Remember, inlay and marquetry are a patient man's activity. :wavey:

You going for a polished finish or something more matte?
matte finish. I want it to be more "rustic"

I'm just going to rub some shellac on it to protect it.

btw, I have it all together. I'm just letting the epoxy grain filler dry. Then after I sand it out it will be ready to finish and put together. :thumbsup:

PS. The "little Texas" inlay looks different now. I guess when you sand Abalone Shell it changes it's looks(the pattern inside it)
I actually like it more now, it doesn't have that big dark blob in the middle of it.

Littleman

09-19-2007, 17:23

OK, here's what it turned out to look like.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5986.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5984.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5981.jpg

I learned a lot from this, so my next inlay will definitely be better...

But it turned out pretty good, and my Glock will have a nice home. haha

Tell me what you think! :)

kcb

09-19-2007, 17:30

Originally posted by Unlocked
Very nice box.

I'm a hobbiest woodworker myself, but nowhere near good enough to do any inlay work. I'm anxious to see the lid when your done.

Not trying to hijack, but here's a display box I made for a GT'r last year who's dad hit a whole in one.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mautdr/100_0694.jpg

I love woodworking and don't find the time to do near enough of it.

My husband use to do A LOT of woodworking. His last project was rebuilding our kitchen. He hand made our cabinets.

I am sad to report, I think it will be his LAST project! He's good at it too!

I'm not asking him to do ANYTHING now. Maybe it will again be something he'll love to do, and he can make a living when he retires, just piddling at it. :)

I admire anyone that does a good job with it.

I was his "assistant" but my doctor made me stop sanding about 7 years ago. :sad: (asthma) :upeyes:

Beautiful work posted here, guys!

:hearts:

:thumbsup:

Sidhe

09-19-2007, 18:37

Originally posted by Littleman
Tell me what you think! :)

BeeeYoooTeFul! :hugs:

littlebitty423

09-19-2007, 18:56

I think it's very purty :thumbsup:

Lynn D

09-19-2007, 18:58

Originally posted by Littleman
OK, here's what it turned out to look like.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5984.jpg

I learned a lot from this, so my next inlay will definitely be better...

But it turned out pretty good, and my Glock will have a nice home. haha

Tell me what you think! :)

:faint:

Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous!

kcb

09-19-2007, 19:06

Originally posted by Littleman
OK, here's what it turned out to look like.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5986.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5984.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/chrissorbera/IMG_5981.jpg

I learned a lot from this, so my next inlay will definitely be better...

But it turned out pretty good, and my Glock will have a nice home. haha

Tell me what you think! :)

Absolutely beautiful!!!