Above Parr Designs

  In February of 2009, I was selected to design and build a box out of walnut
to house a bronze sculpture of President Obama  and his grandmother, who
passed away shortly before the election. The bronze sculpture and plaque
was designed by Jay Williams Design Company. This was a unique and
rewarding commission to be a part of.

Selecting the walnut lumber .

Milling the back panel.

Resawing the lumber for bookmatching rear panel. 

Gluing up lumber, notice the "bookmatched" grain.

Thickness planing the walnut board for the main box assembly.

Checking thickness with a dial caliper.

Sanding the inside of the box sides. The box sides were cut from the
same board and assembled in the order it was cut so that the grain
matches at the corners.

Box sides and back panel are ready for assembly, tape is used to keep parts properly registered.

Box is being clamped in all directions making sure it is squared properly.

The box sides were intentionally cut a little wide, here the box is being trimmed to its final depth. Note dovetailed grove in box side, this is for the divider, which slides in from the top.

Routing the dovetail for the divider.

Hand sanding the divider bar.

Final detail sanding by hand

Sanding rear  support, again note the grain pattern of one solid board.

Spraying one of many coats of clear lacquer.

Finished front and back view, ready for bronze sculpture.