Following one of my previous post the last part of my box to be done is the cover and handle. The cover is a simple pine board but I wanted the handle to stand out of the box so I used a piece of mahogany to make it.
I started with a small 11/2x5x1/2 mahogany piece that I marked to cut each end round. I then roughly saw the corners and got the final round shape with a chisel.
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| Rough cut with a saw... |
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| ...final shape with a chisel |
I then rounded the edge, first using a plane to get a bevel all around then sanding the remaining waste.
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| First handle part done. |
I did the same for the second part, except that I started from a 1x41/2x1/2 piece of mahogany that will only be half rounded on its edge.
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| Two parts done. |
The handle is made by gluing the two parts stacked.
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| Handle final shape. |
I applied 4 coats of wiping varnish, by penetrating in the wood it highlights the reddish color of the mahogany.
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| Handle afixed to the box. |
The handle is set to the box using four small wood pegs dark stained. The little wood pegs are protruding 1/16" from the top of the handle to give a "nailed" look.
Overall I am pleased with the end result. The handle could have been a bit more evolved in its shapre or better designed but I like the way it stands out from the box.
It was initially planned to be used to contains my wife birthday gift but as usually I was late so it became another gift by itself.
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| A simple box |
