Butterfly Box 2023 from S. Good

[FrankEV]

A short while ago I received a Steve Good email containing his Butterfly Box (bflybox2023 - good.pdf).

Needing another tabletop item in my collection, I thought that this project looked like a nice project that would fill the bill. 

My solid wood resource is limited, and I was only able to find enough ¼” and ¾” Hard Maple and some ¼” Red Oak to build the box out of. 

I did enlarge his pattern to 6 ½” x 8”.   I feel this made the box size a little more useful.

I did stack cut the two ¾” pieces that make up the vertical walls of the box.  I did the cutting using Pegas #5 MGT R blade.  I should have glued the two boards together before cutting, as he suggested, rather than after.  This would have eliminated glue squeeze-out and reduced the amount of sanding needed.  I should have also stacked the ¼” thick stopper (his Layer 3) when cutting the inside of the walls, which would have produced a much more precise fit.

Stack cutting the two ¾” layers of the Hard Maple was a very slow cut.  I did not burn the wood, but the walls did not remain their natural white and became streaky dark.  I was able to remove the glue squeeze-out by sanding, but sanding did not eliminate the dark discoloration.

I also stack cut the top and bottom Oak Layers. I used the previously cut wall to act as a template to guide the blade while cutting.  This was a little tricky, but worked out well so there was minimal sanding required to have all edges flush with the walls.  I did darken the Red Oak with Minwax Aged Oak for a better contrast between the walls and the top and Bottom.

The ¼” thick Hard Maple Butterfly applique for the top was a very easy cut using Pegas #3 MGT R blades.  During the final sanding of the Butterfly, I profiled all the top edges to give it a slightly rounded-over look and feel as the top will be handled during use.  And yes, I did have to make the project different by using Artist Acrylic Air Brush Paints to add color to the Butterfly.

The assembled Box and Cover was finished with multiple coats of Deft Clear Gloss Lacquer.

 

[preprius]

Well done.

Maple does have some brown blemishes tbat show up verticle.

Here is my finding.  I thought I was burning the board also.

Edited September 18, 2023 by preprius

[Scrappile]

Very beautifully done!  And thanks for the tips.

[FrankEV]

1 hour ago, preprius said:

Well done.

Maple does have some brown blemishes tbat show up verticle.

Here is my finding.  I thought I was burning the board also.

Yep. That is what it looks like.

[Dak0ta52]

Nice looking piece, Frank.

[daveww1]

beautiful

[rjweb]

Excellent craftsmanship, RJ

[Norm Fengstad]

great job