General Woodworking

[YNC_Johnson]

I'm going to build a jewelry box for a Christmas present using Birds Eye Maple and Wenge.  Not wanting to ruin the over $100 I've spent on the Maple/Wenge I will be pre-building a test jewelry box.  Normally when I build a test product I use popular due to it's relatively low cost.  If the test box turns out OK and I decide to sell it or give it away would I better off making it out of somewhat better wood?  I probably have enough regular Maple or Oak to build it, just not an accent wood like Wenge.  If I built the test box out of regular Maple or Oak what type of a reasonably priced accent wood could I use?  Or would I be better building it all out of Popular?

Thanks for your input,

Rex Johnson

YNC(AW) USN Ret.

[jandsjacobson99]

Maple with either walnut or cherry accent is very nice.  Oak doesn't work very well for small parts.

[chover]

Go with the regular maple like Sam said.  I would use the walnut or possibly mahogany for the accent.  The maple and mahogany go well together.

[Keith Stephens]

I think you have identified the choices.  If the goal is to just build it to work out the kinks and procedure Poplar is the likely choice.  For a "nice" box Maple with any contrasting wood would do the job.  You may have just the piece laying around the shop or possibly a local wood would provide a special interest. 

[kelsochris]

I agree maple as the primary then walnut as the accent looks really cool.  If you are thinking of resale or gift I would not go with the poplar.

[Beaver Creek Woodworks]

Welcome aboard Chief.  The coffee is hot in the mess, and the plan of the day is making sawdust.

If I were to build the box I would use oak and walnut.  In fact I built something similar with that combination.  I finished with an oil varnish blend.  It turned out beautiful.  I did not fill the pores in the oak.  The contrast in look and feel was much better than I had hoped.

[Sawdustr]

Hello Friend Johnson, First off welcome to the best woodworking forums on the internet and we hope you continue coming back as there is a lot to learn on each and every one of them and plenty of people with the experiance to answer most any question you might have. Now for your question if rather than waste money trying to make the mock up out of the expensive woods you are smart to make one up out of the poplar so you can learn the different methods you will use building the real thing.

[Raul S.]

If its about money or using what you have, you could precut wood close to size and soak desired parts in a stain bath.

[AxlMyk]

Use poplar for a test run.

DON'T use stain before gluing.