Retiring Marine

[Woodnut]

A group of Marines got together and decided to have me build a Footlocker for a retiring Marine of 29 years. The Footlocker was to have the Chevron on the Left top panel, his rank and name with M-60 machine gun on the center panel, and the Globe and Anchor on the right. Front center panel to have Marines raising flag at Iwo Jima. Inside the lid is a plaque that has a special poem that the guys wrote. The tray is covered with 1/4 inch glass and is to receive the folded Flag and a padded area for all his medals. Turned out quite nice. Of course that is my opinion.
Remember I am not a photographer so the pictures do not do it justice. I know the colors are off on the panel shots, but I do not know how to correct it.

[HunterAlpha1]

nice!

[Chinook]

Excellent work! And what a way to honor one of our servicemen!

[Eddie N]

Looks like you spent some time on that. Very nice work.
Just one minor detail. Not sure if I've seen the emblem quite like that or not. Or maybe that's the way they wanted it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle,_Globe,_and_Anchor

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by Eddie N

Looks like you spent some time on that. Very nice work.
Just one minor detail. Not sure if I've seen the emblem quite like that or not. Or maybe that's the way they wanted it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle,_Globe,_and_Anchor

Eddie, that was the drawing he gave me. Thanks for noticing.

[Eddie N]

OK, no prob. Thought that's what it might be. Still very nice work. Just out of curiosity, how long did it take to complete?

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by Eddie N

OK, no prob. Thought that's what it might be. Still very nice work. Just out of curiosity, how long did it take to complete?

Eddie,
I didn't really keep up with the hours. Probably I could build in about 3-4 days, the finish is what takes the longest. I hate waiting on finish to dry as well as applying it. I wish I could just build in the rough and let someone else do the finishing, but no one will do that. LOL.
That's what really takes a lot of time.
If I had all the material in the shop I think I could build it in the rough in about a day, not over 12 hours, but then there is the finish.

[Shooter45]

Carl, as usual, excellent work and I know one retired Marine who will be very proud.

[Marlin T]

Beautiful work!

[rosierita]

GORGEOUS!!!!

[mncarpenter]

Originally Posted by Woodnut

Eddie,
I didn't really keep up with the hours. Probably I could build in about 3-4 days, the finish is what takes the longest. I hate waiting on finish to dry as well as applying it. I wish I could just build in the rough and let someone else do the finishing, but no one will do that. LOL.
That's what really takes a lot of time.
If I had all the material in the shop I think I could build it in the rough in about a day, not over 12 hours, but then there is the finish.

Have you ever tried pre-catalyzed lacquer? Fast drying, quick to re-coat. Can shoot about 4 coats in an hour, let it sit for a couple hour sand rub it out. Wear a good mask, like auto body painters use. A good durable finish, and looks great. I prefer the satin or even the flat.

Nice job on the chest-very cool. I'd like to borrow that laser...

[watsisname]

Very nice!

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by mncarpenter

Have you ever tried pre-catalyzed lacquer? Fast drying, quick to re-coat. Can shoot about 4 coats in an hour, let it sit for a couple hour sand rub it out. Wear a good mask, like auto body painters use. A good durable finish, and looks great. I prefer the satin or even the flat.

Nice job on the chest-very cool. I'd like to borrow that laser...

I will keep up with this post in order to try that finish, that is a new one on me. I will have to find out where to buy it and how to use it but it sounds great.
Any time you want something lasered just get with me and we can work out a deal, I'm sure.

Thanks to all the others for the kind words about the chest.

[Artemus]

I am sure that retired Marine will love and cherish that chest for as long as he lives.Beautiful job.

[dad2thebone]

great work on it woodnut. Brass hardware stays with marines and keeps brasso in his blood lol. overall a very nice piece of work , But then i never saw you do any bad work .keep it up .

[RodinKy]

Sure with I were that talented, very nice work Woodnut!

[mncarpenter]

Originally Posted by Woodnut

I will keep up with this post in order to try that finish, that is a new one on me. I will have to find out where to buy it and how to use it but it sounds great.
Any time you want something lasered just get with me and we can work out a deal, I'm sure.

Thanks to all the others for the kind words about the chest.

Any Sherwin Williams store should have it-you do need to shoot it, any automotive paint gun should work, you can get a reasonably priced one at any tool store or home improvement. If you happen to have a an HVLP, thats even better, less over spray and waste. I'm not sure about using it for grips, it is awesome for furniture, chests, etc. Make sure you use good breathing protection, a high quality mask is a must. Make sure you mix the laquer up well before using the solids will settle to the bottom and looks like melted ice cream. mix it in good with a paddle on a drill, you will definitely see a difference in the transparency of the liquid, much more opaque once stirred well. Also will give a harder and more durable finish. Rule of thumb,
the higher the gloss, the harder the finish. I'v sprayed several coats of gloss and the shot a couple coats of satin, makes a tough,low sheen finish. shoot 2 coats, sand with 220, shoot again, sand with 220, shoot a final coat and rub out with steel wool-4 ought or 0000. A little practice and you'll shoot it like a pro in no time.

[Woodnut]

Thanks mncarpenter, I have a spray gun, it is an automotive one but a good one. I used to spray cars years ago. So I know what you are talking about. Thanks on the info about Sherwin Williams there is a store near here I will check it our Tuesday. I don't think it would be worth the time and trouble to do it on grips, but it sounds great for furniture. I have a Book shelve Wine rack combo to build for an existing opening. I may use this to finish the portion that will show once it is shoved into place. It will mount beside a brick chimney, I know this is hard for you to visualize but it will look real nice once in place.
Thanks again for the information on the finish.

[mncarpenter]

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_bas...er_Basics.html

Heres a link to some basics-Woodnut, I built cabinets and furniture in my own shop for several years, and a lot of my own furniture and furniture for family, everything from Stickley to Queene Anne, including Queene Anne chairs. Most recent was a a king sized Stickley styled headboard, with a total of 60-some dovetails, from mahogany I rescued from a job site(leftover 5/4 aprox 100 bd ft). I love free wood...

[woolleyworm]

SEMPER FI ! That looks great!

[Gabob]

Very good work Carl

[gdmoody]

Nice job, Carl. That really looks good.

[bamajoey]

Carl,
Another finish you may want to look into is "Target Coating". They are based in New Jersey and you will have to order from them, but it is an excellent product. It's a water based lacquer. I recently built a BR stock and used this product and it turned out pretty good. You can brush it on or spray it. I used a cheap airbrush.

[Woodnut]

bama:
What about drying time? Ya'll realize I am in a very humid area and drying is a very big problem for me.

[bamajoey]

Carl, I'm in Pensacola Fl. so humidity is a problem for me too. The Target finish dries enough in 20 min.to recoat. What I did was spray using an air brush three coats then wait untill the next day and add three more coats. This system would probably work really well on your grips. I had a problem with the finish "milking up" but that went away after it dried. Oh yes, very nice job on the footlocker.
I had never used an airbrush but that thing is really the cats meow. $10 from Harbor Freight.

("EM 6000 Production Lacquer" is the product I used)