Bombe Secretary (picture heavy)
#11
Hello all,

It was not too long ago that I realized that I wanted to tackle my personal "mount everest" as a woodworker.  I felt and still feel that now is the perfect time to challenge myself to the hardest project that I can think of.  It just so happens that it is also a project that I really have wanted to make for myself since I first saw its graceful and alluring curves.

So this past week I started making myself a Bombe Secretary.  I am using air dried black walnut and popular as a secondary wood.

This 12/4 thick 23" wide and about 52" long slab...
<img src="/ssl_proxy.php?

and these (similar sizes) will be the case sides, the serpentine drawer fronts, and the four boston style ball and claw feet.

that caused so much saw dust and tears...  (it was emotionally difficult to take a huge slab of such beauty and turn most of it into dust.  I ended up with about 150 gallons of dust from all the milling of these case sides and a fair bit of other 8/4, 5/4 and 4/4 walnut)

They wanted to bow so I clamped them to stop the cupping.

I cut the DTs for the bottom and I'm almost done with the DTs for the top (all done by hand).
I'll post pictures of that when they are together.

I started carving the feet
<img src="/ssl_proxy.php?

That is going to take me the most time.  It is hard and I think the first one that I've started will be a "practice" foot.  But I have enough cuttoffs from the slabs to get another one or two quarter saw 3"x"3"x7" block.

As the week went on I stopped taking pictures but I will once I get to work in my shop here in CT.  I did this when I was away on vacation.  This is what I do to relax.
My hope is that in two years I'll have this done. [img]/ssl_proxy.php?url=/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowyes.gif" />

I also hope to keep this thread going with regular updates.  I do  think I'll finally start a woodworking blog to record my progress as well.

Enjoy... I know that I will.

Oh and BTW it seems that one of the pictures gives away where I was on vacation

My compliments to Dave's wife.  She did her best to fatten me up with cookies, rice crispy treats, and meals like this


Not only did Dave let me use all of his tools, teach me new things constantly, he even let me put bluegrass music on the satellite radio in the shop... he and his wife were very good to me
Peter

My "day job"
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#12
Peter, you have a power tool shop now? Thats some good looking dinner.
My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter!
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#13
Wow!!
Gonna watch this thread.
Gunners Mate, 1st Class, A long time ago...
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#14
Superglide said:


Wow!!
Gonna watch this thread.




+1

Once Favre hangs it up though, it years of cellar dwelling for the Pack. (Geoff 12-18-07)  



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#15


Not quite... those pictures were not taken in my shop.

But I do have a few power tools now-a-days
Peter

My "day job"
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#16
Peter, I too felt your pain when I saw the rough, seems a shame when you start but just look at your result! Truly worth the sawdust and a wonderful start to your newest project. I shall enjoy this ride!
Ag.
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#17
Ok!
My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter!
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#18
Man! That is sum beautiful wood! I too look forward to watching the progress!

Best regards

CB
My wife told not come back in the house 'till I cleaned the sawdust off my feet. Gotta love that woman!

I live in "Upper" Texas 'cause sayin' "North" Texas just don't sound right...
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#19
This walnut is incredible!

The purple, turquoise, tan, pink, and brown color in this wood is incredible.

It's a shame to put a finish on it... that and it will loose this color very fast on its own.

I absolutely love walnut. I could have done this in mahogany but I am very glad that I chose walnut.
Peter

My "day job"
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#20
I'm impressed by your ambition, and the progress you have made. Very nice!
True power makes no noise - Albert Schweitzer.       It's obvious he was referring to hand tools
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