Walnut Cross Grain Box - An Exercise In Mounting

www.AsWoodTurns...
I turned this walnut box and lid to answer a challenge from the Utah Woodturners Club. We were to turn a lidded box and bring it to the club meeding.
The box is about 5 1/2" diameter by 3" tall finished with lacquer. The wood is seconds from a gun stock supplier. Very pretty walnut. The finial is hazelnut.
This project has two challenges. First, a black streak runs through the 3" thick walnut. I wanted to take advantage of this color. However, the black streak is also a hairline crack that has weakened the wood. I treated this crack several times with CA glue.
The second challenge is mounting the wood as turning progresses.
1. Mounting the raw block with tail stock pressure while cutting a tenon on the top.
2. Mounting using this top tenon while cutting an expansion mortise on the top.
3. Mounting using the bottom mortise while parting the lid from the base.
4. Mounting using the bottom mortise while hollowing the base.
5. Mounting using the inside of the box while cleaning up excess CA glue from the bottom.
6. Mounting using the bottom mortise while cleaning up excess CA glue from the inside.
7. Mounting using the top tenon while turning the underside of the lid and turning a mortise on the underside.
8. Mounting using the top tenon while expanding the last mortise to fit the chuck.
9. Mounting using the underside lid mortise while turning the top.
Whew! a lot of mounts.
Good turning.
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Blog: www.AsWoodTurns...
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Music: Traumerei by Shumann performed by Becky Schlappi. Used by permission.

[@DKWalser]

Alan -- This is another good turning video and contains many of the elements I enjoy about your videos. While showing the process from start to finish, you keep the video at a reasonable length. Your voice overs provide clear explanations of the how's and why's of what you're doing. And, I enjoy your dry humor -- it goes well with sawdust. This project reminds me of a woodturning video I saw several years ago. The turner, out of the UK, was in his 80's (IIRC). He was still employed as a turner and made utilitarian items. One of the things he made was a gentleman's shirt collar box that looked very similar to the box you turned in this video. One of the things he did was hollow out the box entirely with his skew chisel. He simply used it as a negative rake scraper, taking long 3/4" wide shavings has he bored into the box. The skew made it easy to get a sharp, square, corner at the bottom of the box and a flat bottom. Very quick and effective method and one I've copied on several boxes. Have you ever tried Cactus Juice to stabilize wood? You piece of walnut appeared to have been an excellent candidate for that approach. Yes, you were able to "fix" the crack with CA glue, but CA has a reputation for shattering when subjected to shear forces -- such as when a lid is dropped onto the floor. I've used CA glue on numerous projects like you did here and don't lose sleep over it, but I'd like to give Cactus Juice a try. (Isn't this hobby more about acquiring new tools than about making stuff?) If only a well-known youtube turner would do a video say every turner must have...

[@AsWoodTurns]

Cactus juice is on my to try list. Just takes more setup time. :) A skew is underutilized amount today's woodturners. It's a cutting tool or a scraping tool. the original negative rake scraper. :) Thank you Alan

[@RealRuler2112]

How on earth did I miss this one? It's fantastic! Good point on the walnut... a guy in my turning club spent 2 nights in the hospital the first time he turned it!

[@AsWoodTurns]

From an injury or from allergy to walnut? Alan

[@MikeWaldt]

An excellent video on one of the method of turning a box. A beautiful looking piece as well Alan. Great video. Cheers Mike

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Mike - I should do a goblet soon. :) Alan

[@victoranfossi4201]

Good morning Alan ! Just finished looking at your video on your lidded box very good work ! You gave me an idea I will try to turn one ! Thanks again for all your videos they realy help old guys like that are looking for ideas to turn things !👍

[@AsWoodTurns]

Enough messaging - time to go to the lathe :) You're welcome. Alan

[@russellsharp5490]

thanks Alan, the walnut really made it stand out. a wonderful shape, color, and finish.

[@AsWoodTurns]

You're welcome Russell Alan

[@BillRockwoodWoodturning]

Love it Alan - great job working around the weak spot, came out beautiful!

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Bill. Alan

[@GordonRock1]

Lovely box, Alan! Thanks for the good look at it!

[@AsWoodTurns]

You are welcome Alan

[@billy2bucks]

As usual you make it look so easy and create beautiful work to boot.

[@AsWoodTurns]

It's always easier when someone else does it. :) Thank you Alan

[@hraun2berg]

Wat I love the most is the woise over, thar's how I learn more. great bowl Alan, thank you, Júlíus

[@AsWoodTurns]

You are welcome. There are closed captions also. Enjoy Alan

[@HeathKnuckles_Tasty_Timber]

Beautiful work Alan!

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Heath Alan

[@georgeoliver9125]

Well done Alan. I really enjoy your presentations. Thanks George

[@AsWoodTurns]

And I appreciate loyal viewers George. Alan

[@gordroberts53]

Nice job Alan. Appreciate the heads up regarding the walnut dust, I just bought a couple small boards for some toys so timely. Thanks for sharing.

[@AsWoodTurns]

We have to watch out for our lungs also. You're welcome Alan

[@gilgrace1915]

You should look into a sponsorship from your CA glue provider, maybe they would comp a new bottle or two when you use this much of their product. ;-) Loved the Walnut box...especially the finial, it really stands out. Thanks for showing your miscalculation on the mortise size, good to know that I'm not the only one who does that. Well done video, lots of useful info.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Well, the medium CA was really old thin CA. so I used it liberally. CA is an essential woodturning tool. Alan

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Beautiful box! Thanks for sharing!

[@AsWoodTurns]

You are welcome. Alan

[@DanielVilarino]

Hi Alan! Yes, doing a box is almost double work than doing a bowl with all that flipping around to finish the outside of the bottom the inside of the bottom, the outside of the lid, the inside of the lid. I still wonder how much patience some turners have to do those multiple boxes :). Very nice project and beautiful combination of woods! Cheers! Daniel

[@AsWoodTurns]

Yes, a lot of flipping. It tried my patience. Thank you Alan

[@Mauroiltornitore]

Another great video, Alan!!! Thanks for sharing. Cheers. Mauro

[@AsWoodTurns]

You are welcome Mauro Alan

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

Excellent video Sam

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Sam Alan

[@rimar2000]

Beautiful work, Alan.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Muchas Gracias. Alan

[@ndshoreful1]

Well done Alan, looks very good. Desmond.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Desmond Alan

[@KE4YAL]

What a challenge!!! But I really like the box it looks professional lol Nice job Alan

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Jerry, Alan

[@Lee-qp6gf]

I really like the cross grain box look better than end grain but I got tired of going back fixing them so the tops don't bind. Then I tried end grain bottoms with cross grain tops but that top still moved so I'm back to end grain. I make a lot of them, with finials, for ring boxes and they sell well for me but I can't trust cross grain. That is a good exercise in thinking ahead. Cheers, Lee

[@AsWoodTurns]

if I want a tight vacuum fit, then very dry end grain is the way to go. Even then wood movement may interfere. In cross grain, wood movement is guaranteed to be different: more across the grain; less with the grain. So I never try for a vacuum fit on a cross grain box. Plus, only woodturners appreciate a vacuum fit. :) Alan

[@johnnicholas6962]

I use lacquer sealer before CA. Limits the CA penetration where you don't want it. Great form and use of expansion chucking.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Good idea. One thought that you probably do also. If I'm filling a structural crack, I would not seal the crack because i would want the CA to penetrate as much as possible in the crack. Thank you John Alan

[@johnnicholas6962]

Lacquer 50/50 with thinner, is thinner than Starbond Ultra Thin. I use a small welding flux brush and apply to each side of the crack. If some gets in the crack it will not fill it. Then you put the CA in the crack. I agree you don't want to fill the crack with lacquer. This works for structural cracks and just splits that you are trying to pack with sawdust or other filler and level out.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Sounds great! Alan

[@BarrysWoodturning]

Nice work. The pretty wood likes to present us with challenges... The top of the lid looks a little sad, when viewed from the right angle :)

[@AsWoodTurns]

If you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay. Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away. Alan

[@BarrysWoodturning]

:D

[@peterramaekers3037]

Extreme shape, very nice

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Peter Alan

[@willemkossen]

Nice box!!

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Willem Alan

[@tomasarguinzoni9022]

Very nice job

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Tomas Alan

[@adamquincey4371]

Excellent, very nice... Cheers...

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you for watching my videos Adam. Alan

[@Tommo158]

Thank you for another excellent video Alan. I am glad I got to watch this one if only for a comment you made at the end about walnut being nasty and wearing a mask the whole time as I have a walnut blank to make a bowl for my wife. Therefore, my lungs thank you also 😂😂

[@AsWoodTurns]

Dust protection never hurts. Dust is not as obvious as a chunk of wood in the face. Still.. Happy New Year Alan

[@leksey7870]

Original work!

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Aleksey Alan

[@miguelferri6934]

trabajo de diseño fino y elegante.

[@AsWoodTurns]

Muchas gracias Miguel Alan

[@garymccoy2888]

Very nice. Thanks

[@AsWoodTurns]

You are welcome. Alan

[@michaelthomas4640]

nice box

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Michael. Alan

[@barbf98]

Great looking box you should be proud. what was the size of the blank when you started, did the 3 in. include the finial? Thanks for sharing and good turning

[@AsWoodTurns]

the starting wood was about 3". Yes, the finial is in the 3" total height. You're welcome Alan

[@argyles65]

Great project! I have a nice piece of figured maple I want to make into a similar box. What was the ratio of diameter to height that your box ended up. It looks perfect. Bob

[@AsWoodTurns]

My ratio was defined mostly by the wood available. My starting blank was about 6x3 to include the base and the lid. Without the finial, it ended up about 5.5 x 2. Alan

[@PopsShop]

Beautiful box. You always do such a great job. How long have you been turning?

[@AsWoodTurns]

I did my first project while in college and newly married: spindles for living room furniture. I purchase my first lathe 9 months after graduation. Upgraded to my Powermatic about 10 years ago. However, family duties limited my turning until about 10 years ago. So a long time at low rate; a shorter time at higher rate. Actually a complex answer. Alan

[@PopsShop]

So you have been turning for about 15 years. He he he

[@nikolaylozovoy3307]

Stylish Casket!!!+++

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Nikolay Alan

[@kirkcarrington4463]

Great job Alan.I really like the split screen .A lot of work very well done.Would you mind telling me where you got your smock.I am in the market for a new one and I like the look. Thanks Kirk. CA is deadly.

[@AsWoodTurns]

My smock came from Craft Supplies USA. Multiple colors and styles. Thank you Alan

[@kirkcarrington4463]

Thanks for the info Alan. Kirk

[@MojeToczenieBartoszSokoow]

Nice work :D

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Alan

[@grahamburdett1466]

very nice

[@AsWoodTurns]

Thank you Graham Alan

[@dalejones4186]

Beautiful piece. Can I ask what chuck you are using. Thanks

[@AsWoodTurns]

My chuck is a Vicmarc VM-120. You're welcome Alan

[@woodchuck1]

Awesome box. Can you give me some tips on using lacquer as you did??

[@AsWoodTurns]

Brushing Lacquer is simple. with not particular instructions. Brush on, then wipe off. No spray equipment. Blends together well. Alan

[@woodchuck1]

As Wood Turns ,thank you.i wasn't sure if it had to be diluted etc.......

[@anthonymaida5718]

Very nice box did you use thin ca or thicker?

[@AsWoodTurns]

My thin CA was as thick as medium Alan

[@johnfordham8133]

Thank Yuo!!!

[@AsWoodTurns]

and Thank you for watching. Alan

[@plerikmetselaar1152]

never been this early hahah

[@AsWoodTurns]

Then congratulations to the early bird Alan

[@plerikmetselaar1152]

Hahaha thanks