It’s probably one of the most satisfying olfactory experiences I had in my workshop. The idea came on a trip in Indonesia, where I spotted a wall panel with an imitation of cross-cut cinnamon.

I turned a box in oak, about 3 inches diameter, and approx 1 1/2 inch high. I drilled in the cover a 1/8″ deep hole with a 2-inch wide Forstner bit. You could also turn the hole of course.

I cross-cut the cinnamon sticks in 3/16″ parts with a Japanese saw. Couldn’t stop doing it, my shop still carries the exotic flavor. 

I filled the hole in the cover with (Titebond III) glue, put the cinnamon pieces upright in it, and filled repeatedly the holes with glue untill the pieces were completely immersed. I let the glue harden out (48 hours recommended), and then passed the top of the cover on a belt sander (aha, there is the nice smell again) untill the cinnamon pattern emerged and was flush with the top of the cover. 

Launch Gallery