This was a Father’s Day gift for my Dad who collects cane fly rods. It was my first attempt at dovetails. The inside is lined with vegetable tanned cow hide that my wife dyed.
The top has Maple banding and the rim of the case is lined in Maple as well. This was more of an accident than an intentional design element. Once I decided to inset the case lid, I realized there was not enough clearance for the fly fishing reel so I improvised by adding two 1/8″ strips of maple to increase the clearance.
I used 3 coats of Danish Oil and wax for the finish.
Wow – I hope to get to that level of expertise. The coloring is just outstanding!
OK so totally off-topic, but awesome Archer avatar!
Very nice. I love it when a well thought out plan falls short but your “mistakes” improve the final product. I’m sure your dad will be tickled pink.
Ditto the other comments. Great job. Your dad never received any more meaningful gift.
(Marc, just think how you would feel!)
absolutely lovely. I wish my fly rods or shotgun lived a a similar case.
I’ve never tried dovetails as of yet – with work like this as a first attempt, I’m almost afraid to make the attempt. Oh well, one of these days! For a first attempt or tenth, all I can say is WOW!
Absolutely beautiful! I bet he will cherish it!!
THAT’S your First attempt at dovetails? Wow. I’ll be looking out for your next set.
Jolie Karno
Maker Breaker Studios
Beautiful dove tails. For a first attempt, to be this nice, had to be done with Two Cherries Chisels. Very nice, looks well built and the Fly Rod and Case complement each other.
A happy accident, the maple looks great. Nice dovetails too, how did you do them?
Beautiful case, I love how the dovetails complement each other where the case comes together. I’m definitely going to keep that in mind when building cases.
Beautiful work, Leslie.
Good job on the dove tails!! my first attempt didn’t even look like dove tails!!
Those dovetails look nice and tight. Great job on your first attempt.
A beautiful case and nice problem solving on the clearance issue.
Marc, tell me please, why the Festool Router Table video is only viewable with Blip Player which does not work on my iPhone 4s (that I can determine) that I use to view most of my emails. Is that a Festool video or yours?
Thanks, Mike
The Blip player does work on the iPhone. Everything is HTML5 and Apple device compatible.
What a nice fathers day gift. Your dad had to be absolutly amazed with it. Oh ya, very nice job on the dovetails too.
Thank you all for the great feedback. Perhaps I am getting too much credit for these dovetails. By no means are these hand cut. I used a Leigh Super Jig. If anything, it’s a testament to what a great jig that is.
I did not create a set of plans other than some sketchings on my assembly table as I went.
The compartment lids are not hinged. They make a tight fit inside the case frame so they don’t fall out if turned upside down but do easily pull straight out.
Wow- how cool is that?!?
Love the inclusion of leather with the project… I’ve recently started working with leather and have tried to use it in my plans- thanks for the inspiration. One little thing- I would’ve preferred brass hardware but that’s just me.
Oh and good work with the DTs! Nice proportion-goes well with the size of the box.
WOW, much better than my first try. Great job!
Striking piece of work. I could use 3 of them if your taking orders.
Okay, as I move into my shop this weekend, I’m reminded of the goal of excellent work. Looking at my work has led me to forget, but now that I’m refreshed with this great case, I’m refocused on excellence. Thanks.
Great case. I Second the need for some plans to share. Quick question; the inside compartments, are they hinged? I love the idea of using cowhide as a liner.
Great work.
Really cool project. I would be interested to know your procedure for cutting the dovetails. What kind of saw did you use? did you cut tails or pins first? It looks like you did an amazing job for your first attempt at dovetails.
I’d say that’s more than an attempt at dovetails. Looks like an accomplishment. And what a happy accident the case being too small turned out to be. The only woodworking skill it looks like you need to learn is the one that sounds like, “That’s exactly how I intended for it to turn out.”
I like a lot the maple inserts and the dovetail joints that you did. I’m planning to use dovetail splines for my next box and I wonder if these have the same strength as the dovetail joints. Great work.
Beautiful Box. Nice fly rod too.
Great improv when things didn’t work out the first time. Looks great!
Looking great! First attempt at dovetails my foot. Those are awesome. (I bet you practiced, didn’t you.)
I’m sure it is a cherished gift.
Beautiful case! I dabble in fly fishing and I can really appreciate this case. Do you have any plans that you would be willing to share?
Great job. This is a beautiful case!
Wow, very nice work
I’m sure your dad will appreciate this beautiful case…hard to believe that it was your first attempt at dovetails; looking pretty sharp! =)
A beautiful job, well done
If you never mentioned the maple as being an accident no one would have ever known. Great Job!!
Gorgeous job from a fellow Austinite.
Beautiful work. What did you use to cut your dovetails?
Beautiful work, I would like to do this for a rifle that my father gave to me. Good Job!
I think the “oops” of the maple strips is actually an improvement. Nice project!
Beautiful box good job Leslie.
I’d say darn good for your first attempt at dovetails. Beautiful case.
Great stuff. That is a one of a kind gift!