Planet Box

Got the idea one night while looking at Saturn through my telescope.

First I found a block of highly figured basswood. This I used to make the two halves of the planet.
This turned out to be the easiest part.

I tried all kinds of ideas for the rings, plywood, and several woods laminated into a board. None looked right. I then stopped into a local wood supplier, Kencraft of Toledo, Ohio.
And there just waiting for me, was a piece of claro walnut. It had a large knot that made the wood grain curve into a perfect ring look.

I cut a hole that was a tight fit over one half of the globe. I then made a wood chuck for my lathe for turning it. It took a light touch to turn the taper on the ring piece. During sanding I had to keep it from getting too hot.

The base stand was made from the left over walnut. It was designed to get that school globe look.

I then finished it with danish oil and a homemade hard wax. The inside is flocked with a suede type material. The crescent moon is made from deer antler, found in the woods.

Next I'll post my latest coffee table.