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Inspired by a my friend and mentor, Frank Young, I turned a toothpick dispenser from Apricot.

Many times, this would be a box turning. However, a box requires opening a lid and reaching into the cavity to retrieve the contents – in this case – a toothpick.

For this dispenser, one would simply lift the top knob. The toothpicks inside would come up and fan out for easy selection. To close, lower the knob and everything slides back inside.

The challenge for this project different from the original design is that it requires a center hole deeper than my longest Forstner bit. The adaptation to overcome this challenge is to turn a hollow cylinder. Then plug the bottom with the same wood with a tenon and hide the joint.

The body is apricot. The knob is stabilized heat treated ash. Both finished with shellac.

After completing this project, I reordered the steps. While both accomplish the same thing, this is what I would do next time:

1. Rough cylinder
   a. Cut mounting tenon – both ends
   b. Reverse
2. Drill ¼” hole thru tray & top
3. Part off tray
   a. Cut new tenon on remainder.
4. Part off top cover
   a. Cut new tenon on remainder.
5. Body
   a. Drill 1.75” hole 3/16 deep in top
   b. Drill 1.5” hole as deep as possible
   c. Part to length
   d. Reverse mount
   e. Finish 1.5” hole.
6. Base
   a. Cut & fit tenon to body.
   b. Glue body to base.
7. Tray.
   a. Drill inner hole.
   b. Fit to base.
   c. Final shaping.
8. Cover
   a. Fit to top 1.75” hole.
   b. Insert (no glue) to body with paper towel.
9. Entire unit
   a. Shape.
   b. Finish?
10. Jam chuck
    a. Finish bottom
11. Knob
    a. Glue dowel to bottom tray.
    b. Glue dowel to cover.
    c. Glue knob.

Enjoy.