Issue 680

Box Elder

A couple of weeks ago, I found a big chunk of box elder wood at a yard waste drop-off site. (I haunt the place regularly for just this sort of opportunity.) It had some great red highlights and appeared to have curly grain, even though it was not an actual burl. (A burl by any other name…) With some difficulty I got it into the back of my pickup truck. It was heavy … and I am getting older.

I decided to use the wood in our July/August print magazine where I am turning a lamp body. The grain was more impressive than I could ever have hoped for. (Okay…I might be able to hope for it now!)

So here I’m giving you a sneak preview of the piece, just to share the cool-looking wood. But also to learn if many of you have used box elder. Its creamy color and occasional red streaks are very pretty, but I have never seen it in a lumberyard that I remember. Have you?

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal

Building a Compact Dining Table

Follow along with Rob Johnstone as he cuts parts and assembles his compact Greene and Greene-style table, including cutting inlays and applying the stain finish. Full plans for building this table can be found in the May/June 2021 issue of Woodworker’s Journal.

May/June 2021 What’s in Store

Take a closer look at some new tools hitting store shelves, including offerings from Rockler, General International, General Finishes and Kreg.

From Our Sponsor

Watch as Rob Johnstone of Woodworker’s Journal demonstrates how Makita LXT Tools can make a difference in your shop with reliable performance, long battery life, and easy portability.