Things are coming along very well since I took a week off work to spend in the shop. I spent today gluing the slats into place that allow the base, deck and case to be joined together. This was a little fussy getting the overhang to be exactly the same on all sides before drilling the pilot holes. Here is the finished case, deck and base all attached to each other.
I haven't cleaned up the shop after completing today's build, but hey, my shop always looks like this so no difference.
While the glue was drying for several of the cleat glue-ups, I worked on shaping the handles. They are roughed out now and just need a lot of sanding to round over all of the rough edges.
Oh, I set the top on top of the case just to give an idea of what the finished box will look like. It is not yet attached. That will be one of the last steps after finishing everything. Sure wish I could figure out what I'm going to do with the finishing details.
Wood Whisperer used a water based dye to darken the African Mahogany and then many coats of spray lacquer. I really like the look and ease of application of Varnish Oil. My problem is I'm only going to have a day or 2 at the most to complete the finishing before having to hit the road. It will have several days after that to dry, but I'm not sure I want to smell Varnish Oil the whole trip to Indiana. So maybe I'll dye or not - have several samples to try, but I kind of like wood to be its natural color and the Mahogany will darken with age.
Considering using my new HVLP equipment to spray a Garnet Shellac finish, but I've never done that before. Shellac dries quickly and I can get several coats applied in a day if the weather cooperates - no indoor spray booth.
Still puzzling out my options for finishing. Also still have what seems like hundreds of Ebony plugs to make.
Getting down to the deadline.