My Journey with JM Boxwood Woodworking
You know, there’s something really special about working with your hands, especially when you’re creating something out of wood. It’s messy, it feels good, and when you finally pull that project together, it’s like, well, magic. I mean, I’m no expert—just a guy from a small town trying to make my way through this woodworking thing, but every now and then, things go sideways. And boy, do I have stories.
So, let me take you back to a project that gave me a run for my money—and a bit of salt and pepper in my hair. A few months back, I decided I wanted to tackle this boxwood project. JM Boxwood had come highly recommended, and I thought, how hard can it be? Boxwood’s known for being dense and hard, which gives it this beautiful, fine grain. It practically whispers, “Use me!”
That First Cut
I remember the sweet smell of the wood as I unwrapped it. You know that earthy aroma? It fills your garage or shed with a kind of warmth. I’ll tell you, though, the first cut was like a rude awakening. My trusty old circular saw, which I thought was invincible, struggled. The poor thing was protesting like a child refusing to eat vegetables. I could hear the blade working overtime, and I almost lost it. Is this how this project is going to go?
I thought briefly about throwing in the towel—this was supposed to be a fun weekend. But I pressed on, switched to a new blade (a fine-tooth one, thank you TikTok for that random tip!) and got back to it. The relief flooded in when I saw that clean cut! A small victory, right?
The Glue-Up from Hell
Then came the glue-up. Ah, yes, the beautiful, sometimes messy ritual of combining pieces. I had everything laid out on my workbench: clamps everywhere, wood glue spilling a bit—well, a lot, actually—on the floor. That smell of fresh pine mingling with the boxwood was intoxicating, but right as I was feeling like a pro, I realized I had miscalculated the wood grain.
One piece was set to go one way but…oops! It just wasn’t going to fit that way. It was like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. I felt my stomach drop a little. I almost gave up right then and there. I could just picture the neighbors peeking over the fence, laughing quietly at my hopeless project.
But there I was, sweating it out, convinced I had totally messed up. I thought, “What if this never works?” But after sitting with it for a moment, I remembered something my dad told me when I was just starting out. He said, “Just take a step back and look at the whole picture. You can usually fix it.” So, after a big sigh, I took my time reconsidering how that piece could fit.
Turns out, all I needed was a little finesse and the right angle. Hey, wood is forgiving!
Sanding for the Soul
Now, sanding… that’s where it really gets real. I often lose track of time when I am sanding. Once you start, it’s like your mind goes blank, and all you hear is that soft hiss of the sander nibbling away at the wood. It feels oddly therapeutic. But my boxwood project wasn’t gonna go down without a fight. I maybe got a bit too enthusiastic with the sander and went through one spot. Ugh, I thought about slapping myself—what a dumb mistake! But, hey, sometimes those little “oops” moments lead to character, right?
After some frantic thinking, I decided to embrace it. I used it to add a bit of contrast and let the natural grain shine through, which actually ended up making it look pretty cool. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw the result. I’d unintentionally given it a bit of character, like a beauty mark or something.
The Finish Line
Then came the final touches. I’m usually a fan of oil finishes—nothing feels better than rubbing oil into that wood, seeing it transform into this rich, luscious color. It’s truly satisfying. So, I went with some Danish oil, and as I spread it on, the light caught the grain just right. I remember sitting there in my old folding chair, admiring my handiwork, my cup of coffee cooling beside me. I couldn’t believe I had almost thrown in the towel earlier.
When I waxed it for that final sheen, it felt like I was sealing in the whole experience—the ups, the downs, the moments when I thought I’d lost it all.
A Lesson Learned
If there’s anything I took away from this whole adventure, it’s that mistakes aren’t the end. They can lead to surprising results if you give them a chance. I kept thinking about how often we give up when things get tough, how we overlook small victories because we’re too focused on the finish line.
So, if you’re thinking about giving woodworking a shot—go for it! I wish someone had told me earlier that it’s less about perfection and more about the experience. It’s about putting your heart into it, making a mess, and learning along the way. The mistakes? They’re just chapters in the story of the piece you’re creating. And who knows? They might even turn into the best parts.
