while i'm still working in the benches for this dear family, got a call today asking me to make a little box for the remains of the little one who passed away about 2 weeks ago. "we'll pay you" no, this would be a honor to make, and they want it out of the same wood as the table, perfect, i have some leftover scraps that will suffice nicely. explained that i had made several of these type boxes before, so i'm waiting to hear back their idea of size, have my own idea in mind. hinged lid with a latch. same finish as the table/benches. will take a few days.

4 hours ago, DAB said:

this would be a honor to make,

Very special to be asked to build this.

11 minutes ago, BB1 said:

Very special to be asked to build this.

was out running errands, getting a ride from a friend (heading back to pick up my car with a new windshield) when the phone rang. explained i was on the road, and they asked me to call back when i was alone. no problem. rang back about 10 min later and he explained that the urns on offer didn't sing to them, could i make a box? absolutely. they offered to pay. nope, this will be a gift from me.

when we got married many years ago, we gave the pastor a nice check as a thank you. i've heard of several pastors that refuse to accept any money for doing a funeral. likewise. this is a time of need and grief.

turns out, i have enough scraps in hand to do this, and even found a piano hinge (i'll cut it down) and a spare latch in hand. don't have to buy anything.

final sanding of tops and aprons done, aprons attached with pocket screws, edges and corners chamfered with a router, legs cut to size and outside corner chamfered, need to drill holes for connecting bolts, do final sanding of legs, and then stain everyone.....time for a break. ooooh...soccer!

legs attached with connector bolts, need to take back off, do final sanding on the legs, then stain everything. another day. i'm pooped and it's hot out (i don't have AC).

and those benches are fairly heavy. built to hold a large load.

stain day. did i mention i hate staining?

and then it turns out the stain makes my gloves fall apart....sigh.....at least it washes off mostly. little brown finger.

poly tomorrow.

1 hour ago, DAB said:

did i mention i hate staining?

Me too! I avoid staining whenever possible. My efforts always seen to produce less than desired results. Your staining looks great. What product did you use (sorry if I am forgetting from a prior post)?

10 minutes ago, BB1 said:

Me too! I avoid staining whenever possible. My efforts always seen to produce less than desired results. Your staining looks great. What product did you use (sorry if I am forgetting from a prior post)?

minwax golden oak (jar is between the bench tops in distance). thankfully, only have to do one coat of stain.

got some clean wiping clothes, 4-5 folded together, dipped into the can and wiped on. the dry part of the cloth is good at picking up excess and evening things out. one set for the bench tops, fresh material for the legs. it's even, i'm happy.

got the first coat of poly on this morning, it's a flat finish, so with the dry air and the fan on, it dried up pretty quickly, the wet sheen you see when you put it on disappears pretty quickly, but i know i covered all the surfaces. second coat in a bit when the soccer match is over. 3 coats planned for the seating surfaces, just 2 everywhere else should suffice.

sorry, no pics.....

well, got busy packing snack bags for the kids heading to summer camp the week of 6-10 of july. our church's HS group, headed up to colorado, about a 6-7 hour drive.

rotten kids......

poly will wait until tomorrow at this point.

second coat of poly on this morning, 3rd, and final coat on the top of the benches only tomorrow. then deliver monday or later, depending when they have time.

benches are done, deliver later today.

Those turned out great DAB, family heirloom for sure.

and delivered.

Really looks good with the table. Bet you are glad you don't have to lift those anymore.

Don't know how I missed this, Doug, Beautiful work!!

Looks like it will be part of those triplets life as the grow up.

14 hours ago, lew said:

Don't know how I missed this, Doug, Beautiful work!!

Looks like it will be part of those triplets life as the grow up.

you missed a prior post, the third little boy passed away a few weeks ago, so just 2 boys now.

39 minutes ago, DAB said:

you missed a prior post, the third little boy passed away a few weeks ago, so just 2 boys now.

So devastating for the family. Prayers.