This project was submitted by Aaron. Let’s see what he has to say:
I should preface any description of my block with my credentials. This is the first project I have ever done that involved some form of joinery without screws or nails. I started out with every intention to build the block just as “The Schwarz” had. My first mistake was in the layout. Maybe a carpenter’s pencil was not the best marking instrument (joking). I also did not use a marking knife on the first pass, and I experienced a great deal of tearout. I used the jigsaw blade recommended and a fence, but this was not adequate. I experienced a huge amount of deflection from the blade, which led to unsightly joints. Then I tried to figure a way to salvage the project and dadoes were my solution. A live Guild session a while back helped me finish my router table which I had not used yet. I picked up some curly maple from Bell Forest for the body of the block (utilizing my Guild discount of course). 
I figured it was a good time to try it out. I did not like the look of the finished piece so I decided to add the base. It was a scrap piece of paduak with a slight chamfer on the edge. I had an extra bag of bamboo skewers so I decried to add some reinforcement to the dadoes. I simply dropped some skewers in a small cup with some old dark mahogany Minwax for a day then pulled them out to dry. So that is where the dark colored dowels came from. I finished the piece by popping the grain as shown in “Pop Goes the Maple” with SealCoat and Dark Maple Transtint. Followed up with four coats of Arm-R-Seal. The block did not end up like I originally planned, but I enjoyed the process. Thanks again for all of the help and late night emails.
Aaron,
This is really nice. I like the paduk base with the maple top. I am planning a pencil box using Marc’s desgin that has a paduk base and maple top so thanks for sending this to Marc. I really like the dark bamboo dowels as well. Nice work, I think not only did you “salvage” this project, I think you enhanced it! Awesome work.
Nice job Aaron. I like the sleek design and the great finish job adds to the good looks. Good choice on the base material. Much better than “more maple”.
That looks pretty amazing. I like the way you improvised and solved your problems. I am currently building a crib out of maple and have never done any finishing work. I did not use curly maple, but I am curious if this technique would: A. be safe to finish a crib with. B. work on regular maple? Thanks.
WOW! I’m speachless.