Question for you wood workers....

[Richard]

Update and then wood question....

Bible is in my hands. She didn't see eye to eye. Several stories to indicate this bible would go to me on the passing of Dad. At funeral, I asked if she was ok if I went to get it. (quote) Richard, I PROMISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS that you'll get the bible but (and some comment about not being ready yet, as she was blowing tears) Tears I might add that I didn't see at the funeral nor, did I see at her very mothers funeral. Crocodile tears? I don't know.

Drove 8 hours on Friday to meet her and my sister. Visited, chatted (Saturday morning). Got up, walked in other room, picked up Bible, brought it to living room and said "Let's talk about the White Elephant"....and set the bible on the table.

I asked her "do you recall at the funeral, saying to me.... (the quote above)

Her comment? I never said that. (at this point of a blatent lie, she lost my attention) but she went on to say something like "what I said was I wasn't ready to make decisions, wah wah wah.... I didn't really register what she was saying.

Given this was a blatent lie to my face, I'm concluding she'll say anything to get what she wants. I just nodded, picked up the Bible, walked towards the bedroom from where I got it.....but, turned left, walked out the front door with bible in hand, got in car and drove home.

My sister who witnessed all this (she also knows I'm supposed to get the Bible because our father made a deal with us that she would give me the Secretary if I'd let her have the bible....so we're both on same page....until little sticky fingers gets involved.

I just have to say one more thing.... I told my wife/sisters, this would be like Camilla (wife of King's name?) what if HE died and Camilla said about the Crown Jewels.... "I'm still processing things.... I'm not ready to give them up"

Excuse me? All heck would break loose....those belong to the Royal Family, not her, the second wife to decide the fate. (this is my dad's third wife)


I digress.

Bible is here in my house.

What I'm wondring are wood types. Basically a flat/base portion and a removable box with the clear top (think like a cake plate)

I can do the cuts. What I really suck at is the artistry of what wood to use.

Oak? Walnut? How about Walnut for base, Maple for the box with the clear top?

Olive wood?

I've got a nice piece of Zebrawood

I fall flat on my face here. If someone said this & that would go well.... I can make it happen. I get stuck and indecisive when I go to the wood place and see 325 different sizes and types of wood.

Cherry?

So if you think two pieces, flat bottom and the removable sides (with the clear top on it), what wood might look classy, timeless (since this is a bible, it's got me thinking the olive wood)

100% one wood? (walnut base & sides?)
Split it? (Walnut base, zebrawood sides?)

Paralasis by analysis.... helppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp!!!

 

[Richard]

Piece of paper in there with 1888 written on it by Dad. Implication is he spoke to someone or otherwise ascertained or guessed that was year it was made, if so, it's 137 years old.

 

[civilian]

Glad you got the family bible. Sorry for all that happened before you actually have it in your possession. Remind us, do you want the bible open in this wood case? Then a certain page could be viewed without opening the box. Maybe if passages had a meaning for the time/day. You change accordingly. Not sure what woods I would choose. Any wood/lumber from the homestead? Maybe a species that your dad liked? Jon

 

[bigtiller]

I think keeping it simple with just one wood type would be nice for an old bible like yours. Red Oak would be my choice with an oil base finish.

Also, leaving an old book open can put stress on the spine and potentially cause damage. It's better to store old books flat and to handle them gently when reading.

 

[dstig1]

The wood should fade into the background. You are displaying the bible, not the wood. Keep it simple and plain. Just about anything common without any wild grain will work. You mentioned walnut, cherry, oak, maple. Any will work. I might suggest walnut given how dark the bible is, so it won't stand out but rather blend into the background. Simple clear finish like a few coats of wiping poly. You definitely want a curing finish (varnish/poly) for this so there is no chance of an interaction with the bible. Give it a month to cure before you put the bible on it so you don't risk it sticking to a partially uncured finish.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I'd be tempted to make a Bible pedestal like this, easy if you have a router. Then you could make an acrylic or glass top which would be just a cover to go over it. If Bible is 12"×14"×10" cover would be, say, 13"×15"×11"

 

[Richard]

Glad you got the family bible. Sorry for all that happened before you actually have it in your possession. Remind us, do you want the bible open in this wood case? Then a certain page could be viewed without opening the box. Maybe if passages had a meaning for the time/day. You change accordingly. Not sure what woods I would choose. Any wood/lumber from the homestead? Maybe a species that your dad liked? Jon

Quick answer is I don't really know. This is a clean sheet of paper to design.

I envision an open book on a stand... I envision a grandchild or in time, great grandchild with chocolate melted on hands, curiously looking at that book....and creating a mess. The first (and to be hones, only) idea that ever came to me was the "cake plate" idea. Bible in an enclosed box, clear top. Therefore, it would HAVE to be removed to be viewed which I suppose, would mean more hand interaction than a fixed base.

 

[Richard]

Maybe a species that your dad liked? Jon

Missed this first time. It was actually a funny thing you said....but I realize you don't know Dad. Asking him what his favorite wood is (he would have none) would be like asking about the health of a twig on a tree that is on the other side of the earth at midnight while it's raining.

leaving an old book open can put stress on the spine and potentially cause damage. It's better to store old books flat and to handle them gently when reading.

I went through it last night. Pulled out a number of obituaries. Interestingly, I found TWO napkins in there. Embossed they each said "Bob & Doris" (my mother) I've never seen these. I'm guessing they are from their wedding. I wonder if his third wife who breaks to tears because this is so important to her, even knows they are in there lol. Having found them, I might make/buy a shadow box for each of them and give them each to my sisters. I have two napkins and two sisters! Or maybe I could send them to his wife #3 since she didn't want to let anything go.... lol.

You are displaying the bible, not the wood

This struck a chord in me. I agree and I think in that instant, tilted to using walnut.