I have a problem with the finished tops of the lids of NIP end grain
containers such as boxes and canisters. The top of a lid cut off from a
roughed blank with the soft pith left in is ugly and hard to correct.
I've covered the pith with coffee grounds & glue, beads, marbles, and
little sea shells, but they all appear to be hiding something or just
don't look right. Turned inlays and finials take a lot of time and often
the tail wags the dog. Inlace and cabachons (art talk for pricy inserts)
seem inappropriate for blue collar working vessels. For me, it's a
matter of picking the less of several evils.

Not that some on-end pith can't be attractive, but what do you all do
about ugly cross section pith? Remember that NIP doesn't burn well in a
fireplace or taste good on the barbie.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Arch, it's quite simple to cut a recess in the top of a box and insert
an inlay of figured or spalted wood. After the recess is cut, cut and
fit the inlay by using DF tape and a faceplate on the figured wood.
Glue on the insert , reverse the lid and shape the lid top. Easy to do
and the box top can be quite striking. A knob or finial can be added if
desired, although I find that it's usually better without. .
Arch wrote:
I have a problem with the finished tops of the lids of NIP end grain
containers such as boxes and canisters. The top of a lid cut off from a
roughed blank with the soft pith left in is ugly and hard to correct.
I've covered the pith with coffee grounds & glue, beads, marbles, and
little sea shells, but they all appear to be hiding something or just
don't look right. Turned inlays and finials take a lot of time and often
the tail wags the dog. Inlace and cabachons (art talk for pricy inserts)
seem inappropriate for blue collar working vessels. For me, it's a
matter of picking the less of several evils.

Not that some on-end pith can't be attractive, but what do you all do
about ugly cross section pith? Remember that NIP doesn't burn well in a
fireplace or taste good on the barbie.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Hi Arch

If you have only one and kind of centered pith in a box lid, I would
just cut or drill it out, then either plug with the same wood or make a
small button kind of handle to lift the lid up with.
Just send me some of that blue collar NIP and I will do some
experimentation on it ;--)))

http://homepage.mac.com/l.vanderloo/PhotoAlbum26.html

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

Arch wrote:
I have a problem with the finished tops of the lids of NIP end grain
containers such as boxes and canisters. The top of a lid cut off from a
roughed blank with the soft pith left in is ugly and hard to correct.
I've covered the pith with coffee grounds & glue, beads, marbles, and
little sea shells, but they all appear to be hiding something or just
don't look right. Turned inlays and finials take a lot of time and often
the tail wags the dog. Inlace and cabachons (art talk for pricy inserts)
seem inappropriate for blue collar working vessels. For me, it's a
matter of picking the less of several evils.

Not that some on-end pith can't be attractive, but what do you all do
about ugly cross section pith? Remember that NIP doesn't burn well in a
fireplace or taste good on the barbie.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:50:23 -0400, (Arch) wrote:

I have a problem with the finished tops of the lids of NIP end grain
containers such as boxes and canisters. The top of a lid cut off from a
roughed blank with the soft pith left in is ugly and hard to correct.
I've covered the pith with coffee grounds & glue, beads, marbles, and
little sea shells, but they all appear to be hiding something or just
don't look right. Turned inlays and finials take a lot of time and often
the tail wags the dog. Inlace and cabachons (art talk for pricy inserts)
seem inappropriate for blue collar working vessels. For me, it's a
matter of picking the less of several evils.

Not that some on-end pith can't be attractive, but what do you all do
about ugly cross section pith? Remember that NIP doesn't burn well in a
fireplace or taste good on the barbie.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

If I visualize your problem correctly, you're making a one-piece top, either
rounded or with a knob?

I used to do that.. rather badly, until Chuck got me to try making the lid and
knob 2 piece... much easier, better looking and better use of the wood for the
box 7 lid... YMWV
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm