I went to a bookstore in Longview TX on Saturday. I found a few things and while waiting in line at the check I saw this little lava lamp like do dad. The stuff at the cash register line is meant to get you to impulse buy and it worked.
I designed this box this morning and cut it out this afternoon. The box pocket was cut with a 1/4" 2" cutting length bit. I only cut 1.5" deep in a 1.8" piece of walnut. The lid was just a piece of random walnut laying around the shop that was .4". I have not put finish on it. I did run the corners through my router table with a 1/8" roundover bit. I did the top of the lid, top and bottom of box and each of the 4 corners.
I cut the pocket in the bottom of the box first. The file was to cut the pocket and then cut a contour and make the box round. After watching the bit go round and round I decided to make a design change and leave the bottom of the box square. So when the pocket tool path finished I quickly hit pause and then stop. I had cut the stock square 5" x 5" and had used center for the pocket.
Since I made a design change I had to alter the top of the box. Originally it would have been the same diameter as the round box bottom. Since I had plenty of room I made the lip on the bottom of the lid wider. I cut the bottom of the box with a pocket and then a contour cut for the outer edges of the box with tabs.
Since I had tabs I just flipped the material over and cut the wreath and the pocket for the lava lamp to sit in.
I have sanded everything to 120 and will do 180 and then 220 and apply Watco clear Danish Oil. Likely 2 coats.
It is usually best to make a plan and stick with it but…sometimes you change on the fly. The change might be better or might be worse. In this case I think it came out better.
