First Bandsaw Box - comments?

[Charles Li]

I made my first bandsaw box and overall I'm pleased. Actually there were a lot of first's in this project as I'm new to woodworking. I would love some feedback and help on a couple things. It's hard not to look at it and not see all the problems as there are many. Most I have an idea on how to fix (or just have to get better at) but one I'm totally confused on. I used mahagony on the outside and the two inner layers are maple. The maple developed these dark bands on the inside of each layer. I have no idea how that happened and would like to avoid that in the future. Any clue on why that happened? As far as technique, I glued the boards together, cut on bandsaw, sanded with both orbital and belt to 220, then finished with spray lacquer. The wood was from a borg if that matters. I feel like I followed some pretty standard techniques. What's up with the dark banding? Any other tips, constructive critisim, and feedback would be appreciated. Again, I'm new to this so what's obvious to a woodworker won't be to me heh. Thanks!

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[Terry Beadle]

Hello !

My guess about the bands on the maple layers is that you used sand paper on the mahogany and it's fibers were contaminated into the maple pores.

Use a card scraper to avoid this....if that's what happened.

Nice design and really good for a 1st shot.

Enjoy the shavings!

[Charles Li]

Hello !

My guess about the bands on the maple layers is that you used sand paper on the mahogany and it's fibers were contaminated into the maple pores.

Use a card scraper to avoid this....if that's what happened.

Nice design and really good for a 1st shot.

Enjoy the shavings!

Ah I never would have thought of that! I certainly did sand it all together. Ironically I have a scraper shipping right now. A little late but now I know. Any reason it didn't get near the edges of the maple boards? Thanks!!!

[Floyd Cox]

Nice looking box

[Charles Li]

Nice looking box

Thanks! It was a gift for my wife I which made me nervous but she like it despite being just a box heh.

[Al Launier]

Nice job! You've now been bitten! More in your future for sure!

[Mike Null]

I think you did a fine job. I like the design as well.

[Jim Rimmer]

I think it's a great looking box and you have the problem all woodworkers have. You can see everything that's wrong with it. Most people can't see the little issues that to you are glaring problems. Don't point them out; just accept the compliments. Nice job.

[Gordon Eyre]

Nice looking box. I do have one suggestion and that would be to make the initial cut into the interior of the box along the grain and not across the grain. Cutting with the grain will make the cut much less visable. Your wife will enjoy her new box I am sure.

[Gus Dundon]

Great looking band saw box! I like the wood choice.

[Charles Li]

Nice looking box. I do have one suggestion and that would be to make the initial cut into the interior of the box along the grain and not across the grain. Cutting with the grain will make the cut much less visable. Your wife will enjoy her new box I am sure.

Ah thanks, that helps. I was wondering how others make the cut disappear.

[Charles Li]

Great looking band saw box! I like the wood choice.

Thanks. I liked the colors of the wood but didn't know mahogany has so many pits or open grain (not sure the terminology). Probably try something different next time. Fun to cut something other than pine though lol!

[Alan Kalker]

Welcome to the world of woodworking. That is a nice looking box. No need to apologize for anything. Especially to any laymen. We all have a tendency to see all the flaws in our work. Keep a few things in mind:
- No one will see the flaws the way you do. Most people, especially nonwoodworkers will see any flaws at all. Really. So don't feel compelled to point them out.
- You will get better with each project. There is a learning curve.
- Experience will teach you both how to avoid mistakes and also how to cover them up. I learned how to do inlay when I cut into a piece of wood too far. People looking at that piece are most impressed by the contrasting inlay I used to cover my mistake. Heh,
heh
- There are two kinds of woodworkers: Those that make mistakes and those that don't make anything.
- Most of all, remember, it's just wood. Don't sweat it too much. Have fun. And again, welcome.

[Charles Li]

Thanks for the encouragement! Started out with a few tools for small projects around the house then slowly realizing the amazing things you can do with wood. It's a strange feeling to be surrounded by wood and the workmanship all your life but oblivious to what goes into making it or even that I can do it myself. Wish I was exposed to it earlier but better late than never.