Well here we are at the end of a most wonderful journey, at least for me it was. We have come to the last post of the Essentials Oils Carrying Case. I don't know if it is bad to end on the 13th lesson. Personally I don't believe in good or bad luck, but just the providence of God. So let's jump into the finishing stages and then I will make some concluding remarks.
So as we came to the end of the last post I was ready to perform a Henry the VII by cutting of the top of the case. I was a bit nervous to do this because I wanted it to come out straight and with out any problems. I first placed some blue painters tape around the entire box and then marked out where the cut would be.
I then clamped a straight edge to help guide my saw.
Once I cut completely through one side I then turned the box and did the same to the next side only cutting until I broke through. As you can see it turned out quite well. I did have some chip out even with the tape on but it only occurred on the side closest to my hand or the handle of the saw.
Once I got the top cut off I smoothed out the surface that was cut and did some final finishing. I had originally though to pad on some shellac and then tone down the gloss to a satin sheen, but once I saw how the gloss finish looked I decided to keep it because my wife likes that type of high gloss finish.
I did run into one problem that I had no idea would happen. I had set the case on my finishing table under a cloth to protect the bottom. Off to the side I had a jar of alcohol with a brush in it. I knocked over the jar but since there wasn't much alcohol in it I didn't think much off it and it really wasn't near the box or had splashed on it. Unknowingly to me the alcohol had spilled on the cloth which absorbed it all and part of it reached a corner of the box. When I went to lift the box up to apply another coat of finish it was stuck to the cloth. I pulled it off and saw that all the finished had been removed from one corner of the bottom of the box. I had no idea alcohol could do that but when you think of it it makes sense since alcohol is used in mixing the shellac and such. So I just sanding it down and reapplied it with out any problems. Lesson learned.
I think you can see in the one picture the drawing for the post to the music stand I will be making for my church.
So after the repair I was ready to install all the hardware. I followed Tom Fidgen's hardware installation for his "Good Doctor's Medicine Chest" since I was using similar hardware. One thing I have to say the Brusso hinges are incredible. They are so well made and well worth the price. At first I balked at paying so much for a hinge when you can get them at your local hardware store for so much cheaper but after seeing and using them I am sold. I have to admit the main cost for this project was in the hardware but it is well worth it to buy good products. So the hinges went in really well and the top actually lined up well with the case.
Next was the small lock for the lid. This was probably over kill but I really enjoyed installing this one. I didn't realize how small it was until I had it in my hand. It looks bigger in Tom's book and maybe that is due to him having smaller hands than me. Anyway I didn't have any blow out of the side walls when drilling and chopping out the hole, praise the Lord. and the catch that attached to lid actually lined up. I think you can see I am excited about my progress in my abilities.
So here is the finished product with the handle installed. I also installed to bullet catches at the bottom of each drawer to prevent them from sliding open when my wife is carrying the case around. Overall I think it turned out well and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this journey building this case with only hand tools. I hope you all enjoyed this journey as well.
So reflecting on all that has transpired through this project. It was a little over a year ago that I started my journey of unplugging my shop and building with only hand tools. If you see my photo at the top side of the blog you will see me sitting next to my oldest son Jonathan. It was because of his request that I started with hand tools only. He had requested tools for his birthday so he could work with his dad. That put a desire in me to build him a simple workbench. It was the workbench that I started using hand tools to build because I had sold my electric planer to keep the noise down in my shop. You will have to read my introductory posts to understand why that was a problem. But is was that bench that I realized I was able to use hand planes and produce a decent product. Since than I have grown in my acquisition of hand tools and have searched the web furiously for help learning how to build with only hand tools. Again I want to thank Tom Fidgen for his passion to build with only hand tools. He has been a great help and a good friend, though we have not yet met face to face. This project had taught me a lot about dimensioning lumber, resawing the lumber and using hand planes. A couple things I have come away with are that above all make sure your tools are sharp. I have a list of tools I would love to buy but they are on hold until I get my sharpening station set up. I am going to try the new diamond stones since many are raving about them. Along with that make sure you have decent tools. You could get by with bargain brands but you will struggle with them. That doesn't mean you have to break the bank to get a good starter set. Search the web, watch youtube. There are no end to those who wish to help others get started in the craft. Along with that keep working. Don't wait until you have all the tools, start with what you have and then build up your collection. Then one final thing I would like to add, and it has to do with attitude. I have always been a content woodworker, being content with my results no matter if they looked good or not. I would eventually; say "oh well, it is good enough for government work." which meant if it didn't look that good no big deal. With this project I notice at times I was tempted to go that route but tried to stay away from it. Watching guys like Tom who produce incredible works of art is really inspiring, but when you get to the shop all fired up to do the same and the results are quite different it can be debilitating to one's desire and motivation. It is then that one must make the decision and determination to keep going, "Sigue Adelante" is what the Costaricans say. Push on to improve you ability and don't be content with just getting a project finish. Did this case turn out perfect, no. But it is something I have never been able to produce before, especially by hand. I thank the Lord for the ability to do such things and pray and hope that there are many more projects to come with better and better results, and hopefully better tools in my chest also.
Well, my friends as I said before, I hope you enjoyed the journey through building this project. I know I have. So keep up the good work, don't grow weary in well doing, and as always God bless.
Mark Hynek
