Finishing a box

[Gizmo3k]

So, I am making a lidded box, as a trial for a wedding anniversary present for my wife.

How do you finish the inside of a lidded box? I have ordered up some buffing wheels (the ones listed by George Watkins in his finishing hybrid blanks video), so that should take care of the outside, but what do you do with the inside?

I haven't decided what I will be finishing the box with yet, I plan to inlay a coin in the lid (from the year we were married), if this one works out ok I might take a chance on one of George's box blanks, as they are beautiful!

Thanks

Alan

 

[George Watkins]

Hi Alan

are you asking about a hybrid or resin box or a wooden box?

keep in mind that the buffing compounds and wheels I recommend while they will work o.k on wood are really optimised for resin.

on wooden boxes I use EEE and Shellwax cream by u-beaut, I apply it by hand inside the box and by using buffing wheels on the outside.

other alternatives for the inside of wooden boxes are MC wax or lemon oil.

 

[Jim]

Gees Alan, it has been so long since i made a box i have actually forgotten how i used to do it ..

Hopefully soon i will be putting this right .. :wink:

 

[Penpal]

Alan noble sentiments , good advice from George. Musing if I inset a coin for my anniversary it would have to be 60 yrs old. Enjoy the making of the box, presentation and celebrations mate.

Peter.

 

[Doug]

I tend to use lemon oil, gives a nice aroma when opened,for a while anyway

 

[wm460]

I will be interested in seeing what other people suggest.

 

[Gizmo3k]

Hi Alan

are you asking about a hybrid or resin box or a wooden box?

keep in mind that the buffing compounds and wheels I recommend while they will work o.k on wood are really optimised for resin.

on wooden boxes I use EEE and Shellwax cream by u-beaut, I apply it by hand inside the box and by using buffing wheels on the outside.

other alternatives for the inside of wooden boxes are MC wax or lemon oil.

Thanks George,

I am doing a trial box just now to see if I can do it, might be ordering a blank from you soon if this works out ok! At least I now know a good value supplier of polishing mops etc - decent prices there!

Next question - what tools do you use on the inside of a box to get the insides smooth?

Alan

 

[Midnightlunchbox]

Thanks George,

I am doing a trial box just now to see if I can do it, might be ordering a blank from you soon if this works out ok! At least I now know a good value supplier of polishing mops etc - decent prices there!

Next question - what tools do you use on the inside of a box to get the insides smooth?

Alan

Supplier of mops? Which one would that be?

Getting the insides smooth on the box depends on the shape in my experience. If it is curved try simple shear scraping like you would a bowl but if it's a small box that can be difficult due to lack of space. If you like a simple parallel sided box with a flat bottom i tend to favour a negative rake scraper, set the tool rest at 90 degrees to the box and feed the tool in paring a wee bit off the inside, works for me and sanding is minimal. Alternatively a really sharp bowl gouge should leave a decent finish. As far as sanding goes, I use a Sorby mini sandmaster, leaves a cracking finish and you don't need to use the expensive sanding discs, I use abranet cut into wee squares. I'm hardly an expert but that's what I do and it works for me. It's like everything else in turning, trial and error.

 

[Gizmo3k]

I have the Sorby sandmaster, didn't realise they did a mini one - might look into that!

I ordered a polishing kit from Polishing Kits | Polishing Mops | Polishing Shop | Polishing Kit - seems decent enough pricing

 

[Doug]

what tools do you use on the inside of a box to get the insides smooth?

Skewchigouge with a long grind, I have a few of these made from different sizes of Ashley Iles round blanks, the thickest made from 5/8" bar which cuts out any vibration.
For flat bottom boxes i shear scrape with a round skew again made from an Ashley Iles round blank this time 1/2" thick.

 

[George Watkins]

I also use negative rake scrapers on the inside to get the final surface before sanding, on really dense woods you cant get a perfect finish which doesn't need sanding or just 400,600 & 800 grit.
on u.k woods I still neg scrape and can generally start sanding at 120 or 180, I also use abranet when i'm making boxes.

 

[Midnightlunchbox]

I have the Sorby sandmaster, didn't realise they did a mini one - might look into that!

I ordered a polishing kit from Polishing Kits | Polishing Mops | Polishing Shop | Polishing Kit - seems decent enough pricing

Yes it has a 1" pad, I use it for sanding my pens too, doesn't leave scratches and I can use my abranet. If you buy the handle as well (a wee red aluminium one) you can use the mini modular system, if you fancy. The Velcro on the pad won't last too long so I just stick on a wee bit of self adhesive Velcro, saves spending money on more pads.

Thanks for the link to the mops!

 

[Gizmo3k]

keep in mind that the buffing compounds and wheels I recommend while they will work o.k on wood are really optimised for resin.

I think it is the same compounds you used that they are selling as a wood and horn polishing kit Horn & Wood Polishing Kits

I will see how it goes anyway.

 

[Penpal]

I lean toward a flocking.

Peter.

 

[George Watkins]

I think it is the same compounds you used that they are selling as a wood and horn polishing kit Horn & Wood Polishing Kits

I will see how it goes anyway.

I started using them several years ago and at that time they used to recommend a different set of compounds and mops for wood, maybe they decided to change what they were selling.

 

[Shaver]

I agree with Peter, 'flocking' does give a certain upmarket style to some types of boxes. Saying that, I don't think it would do anything for one of George's resin blanks,but on wood it does look good.

 

[Gizmo3k]

Well, the kit arrived today (fast service!)

I will try to get out tonight to give it a shot