Graeme Ainsworth, Armidale, NSW

Snowboard Instructor - Hers
Camphor laurel
Box 172 x 73 x 60mm
Base 370 x 115mm at widest point

Materials:
The box, lid and ‘snowboard’ base are all made from camphor laurel purchased at a farm clearing sale.
Method of Construction:
The timber was dressed to 10mm and then pieces for the box base (120mm wide), box sides (43mm wide) and box lid were cut.
The snowboard shape was penciled onto the base piece using a set of plastic ‘French curves’. It was then roughly cut to shape on the bandsaw and sanded to give the final shape.
The sides of the box were cut to length (173 x 2mm and 54 x 2mm). Dovetails were cut using Gifkin’s jig with the A20 template. Inside faces were sanded and the sides glued (Selleys PVA exterior glue) and lightly clamped. Dovetails were trimmed and corners rounded over using a round over bit in the router. The outside of the box was then sanded to 400 grit.
The top of the lid was shaped to reflect the ups and downs of a snow field. A finger grip was carved using a small gouge and the underside of the lid was rebated all round to create a raised section to fit into the top of the box.
The final stage of construction was to glue the box frame to the base and sand all faces through the grades to 400 grit.
Finishing:
Wattyl spray on gloss Estapol was used to reflect the glossy finish of snowboards. Light sanding between coats with 400 grit gave a good finish. The final stage was to line the bottom with padding and red velveteen.
Concept:
This box is to be a gift for the girlfriend of our 21 year old son. Both are snowboard instructors and this box can be used to house the various badges/medals she is awarded. I chose a piece of camphor laurel which had nice wavy grain to reflect the smooth curves and wind blown ripples of the snow covered landscape.
Final Dimensions:
The snowboard base is 370mm long and 115mm wide at the ends. The box is 172mm long, 73mm wide and 60mm high including thickness of lid and base.

Photos: Graeme Ainsworth