John Taverner, Molendinar, QLD

Silky Beads
Silky oak
340 x 190 x 175mm

The silky oak timber was obtained from boards taken from the top of a discarded table, thrown in the junk heap.
All sections were ripped from the board using a hand ripsaw and planed to size by hand and sanded flat, flush and in wind using garnet paper glued to a sheet of 6mm thick laminated glass.
The beads were all run by hand using the head of a countersunk steel screw, set in a block of wood, and then sanded round by hand using garnet paper.
Square ends and mitres to framing sections were cut to length using an electric disc sander, and rebates and grooves to drawers and panels were run using a small electric router.
The various sections were formed by gluing the central flat panels into rebates in the surrounding framing sections, and then all sections were assembled together using dowels and glue. The glue used was water based joiners glue.
The box was built with the intention of it being a woman’s jewellery box, and it opens in three different places using concealed mechanisms.
The top is hinged at the back and opens to 90 degrees and is released by pushing the central timber stub to the rear. This stub is spring loaded and returns to its central position. At each end of the box there is a drawer. Each drawer is spring loaded and pops out when released by the concealed opening mechanisms. The drawer at the right end of the box is released by pushing in the square central panel on the front of the box. The drawer at the left end of the box is released in the same manner by pushing in the square central panel located on the rear face of the box. These square central panels are spring loaded and return to their original position.
Construction of the drawers is by trenching, grooving and gluing. No nails or screws are used in any of the joints.
Access to the locking mechanisms is gained by removing screw fixed cover panels which are accessible when the top of the box is opened.
Finish to the box is by four coats of liquid O’Cedar Revive furniture polish, allowing three days between each coat to allow the liquid polish to soak into the timber. This particular finish achieves a rich low sheen lustre that does not require any rubbing back, and highlights the beauty of the silky oak timber.

Photos: Peggy Taverner