GW Presentation Box

This piece was a new effort for me in several ways.  At Gulf Wars 2003, I decided to have a "woodworking Gulf Wars."  I brought my fighting gear, but only fought in the fort battles, reserving the rest of my time and energy for woodworking.

On Day Two of the war, I was approached by a young lady, asking if I could make a box for a lion-headed pipe she had had made for her father.  I sent her off to do some shopping and gave it some thought.  I've done a number of presentation boxes before, but this one was a little different, dictated mostly by circumstances.

You see, I had come to Gulf Wars with no power tools to speak of.  (Gasps of shock may be suppressed at this point, please.)  I also didn't have any suitable stock.  I would need some time to think through the design of the box, the stock necessary, and how I would prepare it.

I didn't want to leave site to purchase specialty stock, as I generally try not to leave site once camp has been pitched and supplies laid in.  Further, purchasing stock would drive the price of the box up.  And I also had to consider price.  If I could make it out of stock on hand, I could drop the price considerably.

The young lady came by several hours later and I had my answer for her: I would do it.  Her purchase was a $30.00 pipe, so I quoted her $15.00 for a presentation box to fit it.  I would make it out of stock I had on hand, and do all of the work "in the old way."  I was to deliver at 4:00 Friday, in five days.

Most of my decisions were driven by materials.  I declined to leave site, and what I had on hand were some number 2  structural grade pine 2 x 4's.  They were a very attractive white and I had over 12 linear feet.