Limbs make wonderful material for smaller turning projects like boxes. The grain patterns revealed as you turn into the limb can be quite stunning and always unpredictable.

For the two mushroom boxes pictured here, I used a Caragana limb. This is a fairly soft, yellow wood that will develop a deep luster.

For a mushroom this size, I started with a limb about five inches long. I mounted the limb on the lathe between centers and turned a spigot on each end that I could grab with a 4-jaw chuck. Then I cut about 1/3 of the length off to form the top.

I begin with the base. Chuck it into the 4-jaw chuck and drill the center hole. These boxes have a one inch, center hole. Next cut the exterior down so you leave a comfortable amount of wood surrounding the center hole. I prefer to leave the stem of the box slightly tapered. That way I can tighten the fit with the top by shortening the stem. Shape the knob at the bottom, but leave it attached to the spigot in the chuck at this point.

Chuck the top into the lathe. Shape the underneath side, and cut the center hole about 1/2 inch deep. You need to cut the hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the stem. I also drill a small hole in the center so I can grab the cap with a screw chuck to shape the top. Before taking the cap out of the chuck, sand and apply a wax finish to the bottom side. I use Hut Perfect Pen Polish.

Remove the cap from the 4-jaw chuck, remove the chuck and install the screw chuck. Screw the cap onto the screw and shape the upper side of the cap. Again, sand, wax, and buff the top of the cap.

This is a good point to take a break. Set the mushroom pieces aside and come back to them tomorrow. The heat from waxing and buffing can make the wood expand. It will contract over the course of the next few hours. You will get a better fit if you let it settle down before proceeding.

Now chuck the base into the 4-jaw chuck again and test your fit with the cap. Take very light cuts or use sand paper to bring the diameter of the base down to a comfortable fit with the cap. Sand, wax, and buff the base. The final step is to cut it from the stem and sand the bottom.

Ellis Hein