Figured Mexican Bocote Reverse Curve Box

Hi Gabriel.....beautiful box, as always.

Is Bocote, with it's oily content, clogging your sandpaper?

Now that you've been turning boxes for a few years, is the fit of lid to base maintaining the original suction fit.....or, are you seeing some warping with time that alters the preciseness of this critical mating of surfaces?

-o-

Thanks Odie!! Yes it clogs the sandpaper really badly I get about 2-5 seconds before it turns the paper into oily resin. I don't worry too much about it though because with most of my boxes I can achieve an almost sanded surface with the tool. Using a Hunter #1 carbide cutter or a Boxmaster negative rake scraper usually gives me a 220 grit or better surface on most exotics.

As for the lid fit, I haven't seen too much change, possibly a slight tightening on woods that hold a bit of moisture, but I tend to turn most of my lids to a "pop" fit, not really a suction fit or a loose fit. Think of it as a light snap when the lid is placed on the base not really a air movement like some turners. I never have a loose fit, it annoys me! I don't mind this "snap" fit and neither do my fellow turners as it is kind of a fit I have gotten used to making. As for the details or finish I have yet to have a box peel, warp or loose detail definition. The day might be coming though....

please explain a reverse curve.

Alan Weinberg said:

please explain a reverse curve.

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It is where the top lid of the box curves in towards the the box center, opposite of the bottom curve where the base curves out and then back. I think @Michael Anderson mentioned it in one of my previous boxes, and I thought it was a good name.

Nicely done Gabriel, Bocote is a beautiful wood!

Russ Braun said:

Nicely done Gabriel, Bocote is a beautiful wood!

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Yes it is Russ! This piece was especially rare with the figuring and birdseye grain!

Great job, beautiful box Gabriel !

Dimitris Psilopatis said:

Great job, beautiful box Gabriel !

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Thank you Dimitris!

Lovely little box, Gabriel. I assume your finish is lacquer topped with wax ... not the other way around. Or am I wrong about that?

Tom Gall said:

Lovely little box, Gabriel. I assume your finish is lacquer topped with wax ... not the other way around. Or am I wrong about that?

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Thanks Tom!! No, it actually is the other way around. I first apply Dr Kirk's Scratch Free, then buff it really well, about 2,500 rpm for 1 minute, then two to three coats of lacquer. I have never, ever had a box peel, chip or otherwise, and I have some boxes over two years old using this method. Some turners are skeptical of this way, but it works and it is way less time to apply and never needs sanded back. I should mention that sometimes on the dense exotics, one coat can give me a glass like finish.