Wat U Say #3: The Crowning Glory

This is the elevation where the combination for access to secret compartment #1 is found.

The mechanism is dowels protruding through elongated holes that engage the wooden tabs on the drawer below. The combination is slide left to open, right to lock.

The sliding lock is now in place. The long box with the dowel handle is destined to become Secret Compartment #2.

The crown is now set in place. This was by far the most difficult piece to design and has the usual ‘oooops’ and ‘oh $hytes’ incorporated into it.

Another view showing the symmetry and the second of the two necklace compartments. Not that easy to see as the roof has not been installed and the compartments are only about 1 1/4 inches deep.

These are the wooden hinges fabricated for the necklace compartment covers. They are 7 1/2 long and made from Thai Padoo wood as I felt the rosewood was a bit too soft and prone to breaking. These were made using a small jig on the router table and center drilled with the Incra Hingecrafter and a 6” bit. The wooden hinge learning curve is still pretty steep but each time the final product is a bit better.

This is the basic final product with all basic pieces in place but not fastened or hinges installed. It was disassembled for a long session of sanding and drawer fitting before being permanently assembled.

Stay tuned for the combination to the second Secret Compartment…...............

-- I can so I wood but why are my learning curves always circles