REDs PATRIOTIC BUNKER

I got a call 2 days ago from a guy who wanted me to build him a "Special Box" (not the toy box type I got on Craigslist / Nashville). He wanted the same design but he wanted it his way. As he was describing what he wanted I was having a hard time understanding him. His signal was breaking up some.... and I couldn't understand his voice at times. Finally he found a "spot" to come in loud and clean from his cell to me. Then it was me not understanding him 100%. I was getting 80% but missing some details. Finally he said "Sir, I'm on disability as a wounded veteran. I'm a decorated sniper and I got shot in the face and part of my jaw / face was blown off". I said "No problem guy let's get this right sir...!" No matter how long it takes. He really wanted this box to be special and I damn well was gonna do my best to make it happen.

This guy said he named his son after a gun... AND he loves his guns and he's proud of it. One of the first things he asked me was "Do you own guns?". I said "Hell yes... a lot of them". Then he told me he wanted me to build a box with two pistol silhouette's mounted in front of box with his son's name between / over / under them. He asked "Please make the box look "old" along with his sons name". please. And he said "I don't care what it costs either." He's leaving so much up to me to make happen and determine what is "right" upon his request... He says "I trust you" (and he can) but I'm not a mind reader.

So... yesterday I went down and cut out of wood 2 old style revolvers from 5/8" wood. Today I painted both a flat black and they did look good. THEN.... I'm staring at them and thought ... DAMN wouldn't it be cool if both had half a cylinder and pistol grips showing? I spent the next hour bringing these "pistols" to life. NOW THEY LOOK LIKE PISTOLS for real but painted a flat black to be mounded on the boxes front along with his son's name.

I am NOT GOING TO CHARGE this guy a single cent for this box outside of my costs. And I can't wait for him to see it. I told him early in our conversation that I'd need a deposit to just build basic box. He said "I can't pay anything toward it till the 29th. (pay day)" His box is 90% done NOW and I'm not looking to make a single penny either. I just hope this project meets this veterans expectations. If not... I promise ALL I'll build another for him till I get it right.... Brad
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:icon_thumright:Dont forget to take some pictures of it,it would be good for your advertising.Get some browning(same as blueing) to use on any exposed metal work hinges etc,even any nails or screw heads,it will look like rust.
 

worldtalker said:
I guarantee He'll like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks Chris... I'm pouring my heart and soul into this one... and he lives close to me (20 miles). His request of "making the box look old" means "less is more on this project". But I sure as hell want these pistols and his son's name the way he wants / expects them. I've never been a master wood worker nor profess to be and asking for something like this is much more up my alley then a piece of quality expensive furniture... Brad
 

BC1969 said:
I'd gladly pay for the material costs Brad, just tell me where to send it, least I can do for a man that made a huge sacrifice for us.

Mike
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Thanks Mike.... I got it covered buddy. I just thought I'd share this guys request especially on Red's "Patriotic" thread.
 

Red James cash said:
:icon_thumright:Dont forget to take some pictures of it,it would be good for your advertising.Get some browning(same as blueing) to use on any exposed metal work hinges etc,even any nails or screw heads,it will look like rust.
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Red... I'll take some photo's when done for me. But I want to ask him if it's ok before I post anything online from this project. I think it will be ok... but I got to ask first. His son's first name is not one I have ever heard before and may be something he doesn't want me to post...? But I'll check... :dontknow: I'd like to share this project with all but gotta wait.
 

Beat that box with a chain. Drag it through the woods.. oh not helpin huh..:laughing7:
Trust yourself Limitool. Woodworking is in your blood.
What a great conversation with customer.Means more when both parties are trying. Spell the name right and there should be multiple pleased parties.
 

releventchair said:
Beat that box with a chain. Drag it through the woods.. oh not helpin huh..:laughing7:
Trust yourself Limitool. Woodworking is in your blood.
What a great conversation with customer.Means more when both parties are trying. Spell the name right and there should be multiple pleased parties.
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The name thing through me for a loop for quite a while verbally. I finally asked him to text me the name and he did. And instead of looking for nice "clear" boards I looked for knots, missing knots and rougher than usual looking material. I'm gonna build a sliding 1/2 tray to mount just under lids surface today.
 

Limitool said:
The name thing through me for a loop for quite a while verbally. I finally asked him to text me the name and he did. And instead of looking for nice "clear" boards I looked for knots, missing knots and rougher than usual looking material. I'm gonna build a sliding 1/2 tray to mount just under lids surface today.
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The grain was always my fancy......looked through many a board foot finding the "right piece":laughing7:

Boy do I miss woodworking.
 

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worldtalker said:
The grain was always my fancy......looked through many a board foot finding the "right piece":laughing7:

Boy do I miss woodworking.
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I bet you do Chris.... The stuff you posted dwarfs the items I make. Your much more a detail man.... I'm more the rough cut and put'er together person. Comparing you and me is like apples and oranges.
 

Limitool said:
I bet you do Chris.... The stuff you posted dwarfs the items I make. Your much more a detail man.... I'm more the rough cut and put'er together person. Comparing you and me is like apples and oranges.
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Precision was always my bag working in metal............works the same way for wood!

Heh...apples and oranges,juice just a sweet!!
 

Ok folks.... My client said he doesn't care if I share this box at all. I brought the box up home today from the shop that the Veteran ordered. I also brought along the 2 black silhouette pistols and his son's name letters. I have some work to do on the name letters per his request. He has not seen this yet and does not want to till it's done. He's leaving it up to me to "lay out" the pistols and his sons name. He wanted the letters tilted "back & forth" is all I got outside of the letters & box looking "old". They will when I'm done. I laid the box on its back (near our dog blankets) and my wife laid this out. Nothing is mounted yet... just wanted to get any ideas someone else might have. I want this man HAPPY when I'm done.
 

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Nice work there buddy:icon_thumright:.I dont know how it would look but heres an idea for the gun theme.Take some empty casings,cut the bases off of them,shine the bases up real good and drill shallow holes in the letters and epoxy the bases in the shallow holes.follow the letter pattern with the cartridge bases so you spell out the name with the bases.Probably look real nice the combination of nice shiny brass on black.
 

Thanks you guys for your thoughts... I'm dangerous enough alone but you guys just add fuel to a fire with ideas.

(I cleaned out my PM box today)
 

Man..I'm emotional..and I don't do emotions. remember my morals thread ? guy asked me if he could publish it on a site he is a editor.
I asked a mod if I can link it in my signature, haven't heard back yet..I hope so what a great way to honor my pops.
I hope I can link this.
The Greatest Treasure of All - Detecting365

since its not really a competitor.

Mike

PS not sure how they got my email, but I got a mail from readers digest on possibly publishing my story.
!! how cool would that be my pops and me in hard print.
 

That's really cool Mike.... Congrats and best wishes for a link.
 

Hey Brad! lemme know when you are heading up this way, really want to meet you, if we have to drive half way across the state we will..providing you will have any free time. it will give my wife a chance to ask about the ridgetop house...really working this, wanna move south.

Mike
 

BC1969 said:
Man..I'm emotional..and I don't do emotions. remember my morals thread ? guy asked me if he could publish it on a site he is a editor.
I asked a mod if I can link it in my signature, haven't heard back yet..I hope so what a great way to honor my pops.
I hope I can link this.
The Greatest Treasure of All - Detecting365

since its not really a competitor.

Mike

PS not sure how they got my email, but I got a mail from readers digest on possibly publishing my story.
!! how cool would that be my pops and me in hard print.
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Mike I see nothing to stop you from linking it.... Your a Charter Member, link doesn't lead to competing forum.

Go ahead and link it in your signature for now if you wish, if admins object then you can remove it but I highly doubt anyone will object.
 

Mike will have to come to the get together(if we can ever get it arranged).but,I think we would have to get a side of beef a whole hog for a rotisserie.Think we can feed him?:laughing9:
 

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