Un-Urning

[ozzpoz]

Hay all. I thought I'd do something thoughtful today so I spent a few hours in the garage making a box for the mother in law. I thought it would be nice for the misses to use to put her a Christmas pressies in.
I went for a wrap around grain but it had some knarley bits I couldn't get rid of without cutting them out, so that didn't happen. I struggled getting the top to sit flat then I lost a chunk chamfering the edge.
And to top it off , I proudly showed it the misses and she said it's looks like an urn .
I quite like how it looks , it's my first time using oak.
So has anyone got any advise on how best to finish it. And maybe Un-Urn it a bit.
It's still my least favourite part of a project.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Well I like it.
I have a thing for round knobs on lids so I would change yous to round , other than that nice piece

 

[Sachakins]

Really thought it was going to be an ashes box.........

 

[Chubber]

This is really off-track, but I recently spilt some red 'T-Cut Nanotechnology' scratch remover on my crosscut sledge, made from beech ply.
I wiped it off and was so intrigued with the resultant finish that I deliberately treated a sanded 9" square offcut to two coats.
Subtle, light transparent red with a smooth low sheen result.
Might be worth trying. Other colours are available!

 

[deema]

I like Lemon oil for the inside and tung oil on the outside.
I think it’s the handle o top of the lid that gives it the Urn appearance, I’d look into alternative options for this. I’d look to tea caddies for inspiration.

 

[Tris]

Some mitre keys in contrasting timber?

 

[pe2dave]

Looks good to me (though cannot disagree about the 'use').
Have a play (on scrap) with some fillers, I've managed 'nearly' invisible filling,
especially if the box is to be coated with something?
Re 'urn like' - if finished with something glossy, would transfers or similar
decorate enough to un-urn it?

 

[Kayen]

In my opinion, you'll have to reduce the height of it to un-urn it. Not particularly easy at this stage, but doable.

 

[Jacob]

Ma in law might take offence at the "urn" hint?
Maybe write on the side "this is not an urn"?

 

[Sachakins]

Line the inside with red cloth or red flock, will take away the Urn ⚱ feel.

 

[Richard_C]

Maybe write on the side "this is not an urn"?

Adding the word "yet" perhaps?

Doesn't look urnish to me.

 

[ColinDeVelen]

Or a picture of Morecambe and Wise in the lid and the words Tea Ern..

 

[Bingy man]

Lots of bling will do it ..

 

[Chubber]

Decorative strappy hinges? I have never seen hinges on an urn. A faux lock key hole? Make it look like a little treasure chest?

Nice work BTW.

 

[ozzpoz]

Thanks for everyone's advise. I've slapped some danish oil and beeswax on it. And I'll pop it in workshop as a reminder of how not to make a box for a present. I'll make her another next weekend. Maybe one day it will come in handy and save me a few quid.

 

[ozzpoz]

I made some more today. 2 matching sweet boxes for crimbo. Well the lids don't match but there off to different people so that doesn't matter. I used what I had. Walnut & oak. There only small 5 x 3 x 2.5. Tried out some mitre slots , hopefully she'll appreciate it more than the Urn she nearly got