DIY Network

Turtle Toy-Box: Finishing Touches From "Wood Works" episode WWK-702

	This whimsical turtle toy-box is enhanced with a green, textured finish.

In this episode of DIY Wood Works, host David Marks creates a child's toy-box fashioned and carved to look like a turtle. In this final segment, David applies a distinctly "turtle-like" green stain to the toy-box.

Materials:

Green stain
Black dye
Cheese cloth
Non-toxic salad-bowl finish
Brass hinges
Safety lid-supports
Screwdriver
Abrasive pad
Carpenter's pencil
Safety glasses or goggles

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves, and ensure adequate ventilation, when working with wood stains, solvents and other toxic solutions. When working with some sprays and chemicals, a respirator mask may be required.

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Figure A

Hardware and "Turtle-Green" Stain

• Before staining the box, lay out and install the hinges. We used extra-wide, solid brass hinges to support the weight of the top (figure A). Then temporarily remove the hardware to apply the finish.

• For our turtle, we used a green water-based stain, diluted with 75-percent water to allow the alder wood grain to show through.

  Safety Alert: Look for a variety of stain that is non-toxic and "kid safe."
  
  

• Once the stain has dried, rub the surface smooth with an abrasive pad.
  

  	Figure B
  	Figure C
  	Figure D
  	Figure E

  
  
  

• To add some texture, dip pieces of cheesecloth into black dye. Squeeze out the excess dye and spread the cheesecloth over a small area (figure B). . Press the cheesecloth using wax paper to imprint the pattern onto the surface. Allow a few minutes for the dye to dry, then remove the cheesecloth.

• Repeat this process over the entire surface (figure C).

  
  

• Apply a non-toxic salad-bowl finish (figure D). This finish will help bring out the color and wood grain, but is safe for kids.

RESOURCES :

The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561580619

Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561583456

David Marks Website
David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com

Woodworker's Guide to Wood: Softwoods, Hardwoods, Plywoods, Composite, Veneers
Model: 080836878
Author: Rick Peters
(2000)
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com

Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com