DIY Network

Maple and Bubinga Treasure-Box: Finishing Touches From "Wood Works" episode WWK-505

A dramatic contrast is achieved between the dark, highly figured African bubinga used to make the case and the beautifully burled quilted maple of the lid.

The finishing touches for the maple and bubinga treasure-box include decorative brass pins to add strength, ebony handle, brass hinges and a fine wood finish.

Materials:

Brass dowels
Cordless drill
Hammer
Metal file
Sandpaper
Cyanoacrylate glue
Brass hinges
Tung-oil wood finish
Paint brushes
Rags
Rubber gloves and eye protection

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Note: Cut sizes may vary. For exact measurements, please contact David
Marks through his Web site -- information below under Resources.

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses when
working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves, and ensure adequate ventilation, when working with wood stains, solvents and other toxic solutions.

Brass Pins, Hardware and Finish

• For a decorative touch, add brass pins on each side. The pins will also provide added strength to the half-lap joinery. Pre-drill six 1-inch deep holes on each side using a cordless drill.

• To secure the 1-1/4-inch brass pins, place a drop of cyanoacrylate glue in each of the holes (figure A).

• Insert each pin, and gently tap it down into position (figure B) using a hammer.

• Once the glue has dried, flush up the pins using a metal file.

• For our treasure-box, we made a handle out of ebony, and used brass pins to secure it to the front of the lid (figure C).

• Finally, secure the lid to the case using brass hinges. We had to modify our brass hinges to achieve a custom-fit on the side of the case (figure D).

• Temporarily remove the hardware to apply a wood finish. We selected a tung-oil finish to bring out the spalted figure on the quilted burl-maple and the striking bees-wing grain of the bubinga (figure E).
  

At your option, you may choose to add other decorative touches to the box such as a brass center-latch at the front or handles on the sides made from ebony or leather.

Click here to order your tools and materials for this project from Woodcraft!