Turned Box

[Michael Stafford]

I have been teaching myself to turn end grain boxes. Some of them are even coming out round.

Here is my latest effort involving a very hard wood purported to be " red elm". Very hard wood but it did cut very cleanly. Open pores were difficult to finish.

The box is 3" in diameter and a little less than 4" tall.

Thanks for looking...

[Tom Stover]

Beautiful box mike. I have made three boxes and none look that good. I'm still putting the tennon on the lid but will change for the next one. Tom

[Jack Hogoboom]

Mike,

Looks pretty darn good to me!! No way I could do something that nice. Care to share any tips or tricks?

Jack

[Michael Stafford]

Thanks Jack,

I turned this box and all the others I've turned following the steps outlined in Richard Raffan's book on turning boxes. I wouldn't pretend to be an expert but I have had success attempting to do as he writes. I highly recommend the book if you are interested in turning end grain boxes. One recommendation- I find that good hardwoods make better boxes than any softwoods. I tried some straight grain fir that was very fine and tight grained. Results were not good.

Thanks again.

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Great Box Mike!

I got Richard Raffan Set of three books for my birthbay, but haven't had time to do more than browse them. I guess I need to turn over a new leaf and Get in there and practice!

Bruce

[Jim Becker]

Like I said at that "other place"...outstanding, Mike.

[Robert Grady]

Very nice box Mike, I think I would like to attempt one like that. You mind if I copy your design?

[Michael Stafford]

Robert, you are certainly welcome to copy the design but I think mine is just an adaptation of similar boxes in the Raffan book so I cannot honestly say it is "my" design. However I am flattered that you wish to copy it. Enjoy.

[Robert Grady]

Thanks Mike and keep posting pics of your great work.

[Don Henthorn Smithville, TX]

Nice piece of work, Mike. I like the grain on that one, it compliments the shape so well.

[Glenn Hodges]

Great job Mike!

[Ted Shrader]

Mike -

Looks like you have the hang of it. Great job!

Ted

[Philip Duffy]

Very nice finish. What type and how many layers. Use a filler? Phil

[Michael Stafford]

Thanks Phil, no fillers but several coats, 5 or 6, of thinned mixture of BLO, tung oil and varnish. Finish flooded on, allowed to soak in and buffed dry on lathe. Pores caused bleedback problem so I had to keep wiping to prevent beads from forming. I guess I eventually got them filled as it is nice and smooth.