These so called quick, knock off little jobs always seem to end up taking longer than expected! But Life and responsibilities call and can’t be ignored…and it’s all good, because the FUN is prolonged!!
When we left this last, I had just marked the strips of Mahogany for the bottom panel.
One night this week I took an hour and went ahead and cut them out and fitted them in the same manner as the top.
I also marked and cut the top corners (sorry about the blurriness but this is a flashback sequence from the other night LOL)
I spent a little time matching up the contours and they’ll need a little more work, but it’s time to make this baby! I delineated the top last night, both with and without using a quarter, with equal success. The curve was just-right to rest the fingers of my pencil hand against.
As you can see, the whole “curve” following idea is being continued in the part, top from bottom. I then took it apart once more, for the last time, and cut the sides of the box with the thinnest scroll saw blade I have. Then reassembled the top, clamped it up, and drilled holes for the dowel pins.
Of course to do that, I had to set my “depth stop” again.
As an aside to Dick & Barb Cain, who asked about this method, I was thinking of you guys this week and took some snapshots to let you know where I’m coming from. My Dad’s Drill Press
which he purchased in 1966, and is the one he taught me how to use, has exactly the arrangement you described
Knurled knobs, even a floating washer in between. The one I have, that my Dad bought me for Christmas in 1993
looks like a toy in comparison. My Dad was miffed about it because he spent considerably more $$$ and got considerably less machine. Granted it was “60’s money compared to “90’s, but still…
In any event, here’s the arrangement on the “new & improved” model
So I seldom use it, needing two wrenches, and three hands to adjust it isn’t worth the time…
Anyway, holes drilled, pegs tapped in, I trim the excess
and after cleaning the corners, a box is born!!
There is still quite a bit more fun to be had finishing this project, and incorporating another great idea that my Dad had (which will be revealed later), but it’s customary for me to take this moment to erase any “witness” marks and to date and initial this latest member of the “family”. :-)
-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.
9 comments so far
a1Jim
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17022 posts in 475 days
posted 82 days ago
Hey Mike
really enjoying your blog good work
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com
patron
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2458 posts in 239 days
posted 82 days ago
just what i needed ,
was getting tired ,
and was going to lay down .
this box is gorgeous , mike !
it’s fun to watch you build it
i’m making a new one too .
-- david ,new mexico ,allheart
littlecope
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604 posts in 400 days
posted 82 days ago
Thanks, Guys. What started out as kind of a gag, I’m actually growing rather fond of…:)
They don’t usually go this easy, but this one made itself. I just turned the machines on and off at the appropriate times…
-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.
Kristoffer
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89 posts in 114 days
posted 81 days ago
Mike,
Very cool! I love the way the lid sits on the box.
-- Cheers and God Bless
jockmike2
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7352 posts in 1144 days
posted 81 days ago
Pretty neat Mike. I like your blogs and the box that resulted. From nothing, something nice. Peace. mike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
littlecope
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604 posts in 400 days
posted 81 days ago
Thank You, Kris and Mike. I love it, I really do. There have been people who have suggested, “Gee, you should do that for a living!”, but the passion for it would be lost, it would become a “daily grind”. Not that I’m an “artist” by any stretch, but when in the shop I’m free to take a vision from my mind and transform it into something that can be held in the hands; to be able to control some very small portion of destiny, if you will.
What could be more fun than that?
Now, it’s boxes, and there’s considerable satisfaction in them. They’re both pretty and useful. What the future holds is anybody’s guess, but I look forward to new visions and challenges with breathless anticipation and determination.
I’m sorry if I get carried away with the flowery utterances, but it’s only because I speak from the heart…
I love it, I really do… :)
-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7043 posts in 1197 days
posted 80 days ago
It’s coming along very nice.
Thank you for acknowledging my suggestion.
I think if you put a washer between the two jam nuts, thats all you need.
It should work fine tightening them finger tight.
A nylon washer may work better yet.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
maryetta
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5 posts in 81 days
posted 80 days ago
I like, Mike. I do have some questions, though. Do you glue the box before drilling the pegs or does using pegs mean you don’t need to glue? Does the curve of the top mean you don’t need to create a lip or hinge or other way for the lid to stay in place? Do you think this type of lid would work well for a rectangular box, say 12” X 7.5?
I love ‘recycling’, reusing earth’s resources. I guess most wood workers are appreciative of what nature offers us.
I’ve had fun with your project too.
-- Maryetta, Alabama, maryettapalmer@yahoo.com
littlecope
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604 posts in 400 days
posted 80 days ago
Maryetta, first of all, Welcome to LJ’s!!
To answer your first question, about glue, no I have not used any, up to this point. The very next step will require a smidgen though. These box joints are very fitted and the pins are tapped into place with a mallet. As I said elsewhere, I wouldn’t want to be the one to have to take them apart! I suppose the pins could be drilled out, but you’d end up with enlarged holes, and could have some “spinning” of the pins…
The second question, about a lip or hinge, is the very next step after that! You’re getting ahead of me! LOL!
The idea I have is to make an insert so the lid stays positively square to the box. As far as this working with a larger box, I see no reason why it wouldn’t. On a larger box, I would use hinges, though. So long as the hinge pivot points are “in line” with one another, I can’t see where the box having a straight or curved or wavy meeting between top and bottom would make much of a difference…
Hope this helps and I’m glad you’re enjoying along with me! :)
Mr. & Mrs. C: That’s a great idea! I’m going to have to rummage through the “Parts Department” and see what I have. Thanks!
-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.