I am making a few pens that will be half 30-06 cases and half wood. Similar to the picture below, but half shell, half wood.
The wood I need to use is mahogany from an old 2”x24”x36” table top my father made many years ago. It needs to be that particular piece of wood for sentimental value.
Here is problem. I don’t want to destroy the table. My thought is to get a 3/4”x3/4”x12” piece from the middle of underside so it’s not seen. It doesn’t have to be exact because it will be used for blanks and turned on a lathe. Of course, since I don’t want the cut out to be noticeable it can’t be done from the edge.
I can use a router or circular saw with the depth set at 3/4” to make the two parallel cuts 12” long, 3/4” apart. I can make the end cuts the same way. I’ll have the 3/4” wide by 12” long rectangle, but the underside wouldn’t be cut. The tricky part is to get underneath to cut the bottom. I was thinking maybe a chisel and hammer to crack it out? Maybe route out a channel next to the rectangle so I can get an oscillating tool underneath for the cut?
This is probably a simple answer. I’m sure you guys know what it is.
The pens will be similar to this. The 30-06 part are the blank shells from the three volley salute at my fathers funeral. The wood top, as mentioned, will be from a table he made that sat in our livingroom for most of our lives. The pens will be given to my brothers. But, I still need to figure out this cut.
Attached FileThe cases, which will be polished and engraved.
Attached File