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We normally see tumbling blocks using 60/60 degrees. It produces isometric with xyz axes equilateral to 120 degrees. On my curiosity, by accident as I was only making a square with shadow, the form becomes a 3D however it becomes a perspective of a block… making variation measuring 90/45. Amazingly, the illusion becomes a rhombus effect on the squares. I used this design to form a mitered box with a lid.

The main board…


The bottom board….


Features:

1) The squares on the top has to join symetrically on the sides. This is the reason why the shadow strips of Narra and white Lauan were omitted making the motif as checkers for the front and back sides.

2) Wooden hinge was fitted in the back overlayed because I don't like to destroy the design.

3) Latches in front were fitted. These are made from iron wood (Dungon) a very hard Philippine specie. The only setback is it burns when drilling and sanding with dremel. Most of the time, I use saw and files.

4) Instead of plain wood on the bottom, I use the segmented checkered I recovered from Narra small pieces left over. I should say that from a scrap, I recycled and from a recycled scraps I was able to recover again.

5) The finish is really nice using only an artist brush. The first coat was gloss lacquer (this is to seal and avoid discolorization of the wood) then two coats of spar varnish.

6) Materials: NARRA, White Lauan, Acacia, Balitadtad, Dungon, Kamagong and many others that I could not identify. The worst wood combination I made as everything from soft to hardwood are there. Some portion of the joints are absorbing a lot of glue so I have to apply two coats of glue specially to the end grain otherwise it will come off as it dries by absorption.

In this box, I learned how to recover from the mistakes I had made. Here are some of those.

1. Dowel drilling is too much. You can see these on the lid where I drilled the dowel on the hinges.
2. The latches been different locking pins… Likewise oversized. I should have pre-fitted it but I fixed it
already before knowing the error so it was machined in place. In doing so, the hinge broke as I opened
lid too much.
3. Cutting the miter was too much (too deep) in some places as the board is not planed equally.
4. Lippings must be prepared exact thickness with the board. I have to route the inside portion of the
lippings to make it more even. An extra work that should have been prevented by just preparing the
thickness.

I am happy for having so many errors because I learned from it. With this box, I learned that any mistakes can still be corrected as long as there are no shortage of patience.

If you wish to look on the progress how it was done, just open my blog and look for those tumbling variations title. I was not able to make it on series. Thanks for viewing.

This is an experimental one but there are a lot of people who wants this style of hinges and latches.

Hope you like this box.
Have a nice day.

Gallery

Comments

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1,517 Posts
Bert that box looks even better now its finished
Great eye teaser
Jamie
 

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78 Posts
Interesting experiment with the pattern. I agree that the 3D effect here actually seems stronger here than the usual 60/60.
 

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5,279 Posts
Great job Bert.
The blocks look great, the hinge is perfect and I really like the latches.
Keep pushing the envelope my friend.
 

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Splendid work, Bert. The progression from 2D to 3D and back is very interesting with an overtone of some of M.C.Escher's works. Nice work with the hinge and latches as well.
 

· In Loving Memory
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I think that this is one that I will copy… unashamedly….but with your permission of course…fabulous look
 

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Thanks to all. It is nice to know that my mentors (LJ originals) appreciate a project like this one. All of you makes me to think the impossible to become a reality. Learning now comes the way it should be… Create is the highest we can attain according to 'taxonomy of learning".

Larry. Don't think twice… grab it… I know you like right angles and bevel 45 deg. You are the one who gave me the idea… only I have made some variations… Have it done without mistakes. Thanks mate.

One thing that I forgot to tell above, the grain orientation of the Acacia (light brown squares) was not in line. I never expected that it is so sensitive with the luster of light reflection. I should have known it earlier. There is no reason why it was not glued in the right grain directions because they are squares. I know, if you do it, flawless will come out.

Have a nice day.
 

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The transition between 3D and 2D is remarkable, never saw that before. Opening the lid, with those massive catches, expecting plain and finding the harlequins again inside - what a surprise!
 

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Thanks Gene. I have a brother living in Toronto… far away but he is not into woodwork.
 

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Very nice Bert. I know what you mean about covering mistakes. i think we all do it. I'm gonna have to try those latches. Thanks for posting.
 

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Thanks Jim,
One secret for the latch making is the drilling of pin holes. In this case 1/8 inch dia x 1 inch long. I use a horizontal drilling machine to control the vibration and have a repeated centering point. You may like the details in this project...
Good luck and take care,
 

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All I can say is WOW! This is amazing. Great job
 

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Bert,

Picture 2, top right, shows the 3d effect combining the top and front in a stunning way. I've seen many of these boxes and I never thought of doing that. Very cool and so original. Me like!

Wayne
 

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Thanks to all.
Wayne, on my experiences, it happens as I was already constructing it… No plans and design. So what happens, the beauty of the originals comes out. Thanks.
 

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This is another beautiful build, Bert ! I also never mind mistakes that I learn from. I think that experience is the best teacher because it is usually our sweat and effort that goes into projects such as these and when mistakes are made, we have a steak in what we are doing, so we pay attention. The outcome here is outstanding. I have enjoyed all three of your projects that you recently posted. They are wonderful variations of a beautiful theme. :)

Sheila
 

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Thanks Sheila. I know it acts a booster for us all in LJ to be inspired letting out those unlimited mind capabilities.
Have a nice day.
 

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The difference between novice and master is that the master is more adept at fixing mis-cues.
 
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