MotC: The Beautiful Bandsawn Box
Michael Cullen creates seamless boxes from a single block of wood
Michael Cullen trained under the English furniture maker David Powell, receiving the same rigorous education in hand tool and machine use, and in traditional European furniture making that Powell had gotten in his years at Edward Barnsley’s workshop in England.
The training has stood Cullen in good stead over the years as he has built polished, elegant, complex pieces of furniture. But those projects take weeks or months of sustained concentration, and Cullen, who always yearns to see the finished piece, has often wished for more immediate gratification in the craft.
Bandsawn boxes have delivered just that. He developed a technique for cutting the whole box–sides, top and bottom–from a single block of wood, and with just a couple of glue joints he can produce a beautiful, seamless box in a matter of a few hours.
Then he’s got a blank canvas for the sort of decorative carving and milk-painting he’s widely known for in his furniture.
Cullen had been making bandsawn boxes sporadically for a number of years before he spent a semester last year as Windgate Artist in Residence at Purchase College, just north of New York City. In those few months, Cullen made some four dozen boxes. This slide show documents the boxes he made at Purchase and includes his commentary on making them.
This slideshow was originally published October 5, 2015
Comments
These boxes are drop-dead terrific.Period.
Truly interesting and beautiful.
Thanks for posting the video.
Beautiful boxes sir! Just the perfect thing for ALL the extra, large cut-offs everybody gets. The ONLY "LIMIT" will be YOUR Imagination! I'll be using it with some nice spalted "Chunks" of scrap I have laying around that I WAS going-to turn and I'll see "How-they-turn-out"!
Bobby Deems
Very cool video... Beautiful boxes (sculptures). I totally get what you mean about time in relation to concept-build-done step back. I've tried several approaches to different project 'expierments'... some worked some didn't quite make it. I've spent hundreads of hours on a small project. The goal for me is to spend a lot less time and be just as excited and happy when done.... Anyway I really enjoyed your work.
Designer-Craftsman
Birdie Miller
Fantastic boxes. Colour and shapes outstanding. Simple and great execution. Uncomplicated!
Inspiring work! Makes me eager to visit my bandsaw!
Great work - would love to see more details on how he achieves some of those patterns via carving!
Even though the video appears have technical problems, Michael's work is incredibly beautiful. Perhaps the video will be uploaded again without problems. Would love to see the whole thing with the correct dialog.
Wow. I love these boxes and cannot wait to get back into the shop.
Like most I have made bandsaw boxes in the past but they tended to be novelty items (e.g. carved duck with hidden box). These are pieces of art.
I am thinking of cutting up some old railway ties. Here in Australia they used Jarrah many years ago. It is a very hard wood with lots of character. Would make a great box.
Thank you so much for the article and the video/slide show.
Absolutely beautiful and inspiring. This man is definately thinking OUTSIDE the BOX!
Seems I'm the only dissenting voice here. The finishes on theses boxes are not for me. Why would anyone want to cover up a nice natural finish with what appears to be something from nursery school...? The boxes themselves are great and I plan to try making one myself. However, I will most definitely pass on those god-awful finishes.
I believe it is an old Italian saying, but don't quote me (lol), "All taste is personal." I like to view those whose tastes are unique. It broadens my own design palate....
It would be so nice if the video could be reloaded. It cuts off in mid stream
Beautifully crafted.
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