new box, new design (for me, at least !)

[stef]

been scratching my head for an easy to do, stylish box in pine.
i had specific dimensions in mind( 360x600mm) so this is what came out, as a wip.
i also take the oportunity to show off my new purpose made frame/box clamp on a budget. around 10 euros worth of threads and bolts, and some plastic off cuts.
no, it's not a ring for those rat fights.

the planks, all 6 of them, cut and ready to assemble. the box requires a lot of care when measuring and cutting, as nasty gaps will apear in places where there shouldnt be any.

Just one side to go.

All clamped..of course, more clamps were needed, as the more you tighten the jig, the mre the sides tend to open, but in the end, it seemed to be pretty good. lets wait when i release it from the jig !
finish will be walnut, with rounded corners and top.

 

[Mattty]

That clamping jig is great! I'd love to see a Rat fight in there even better though :lol:

Looks good mate, make sure you post the follow up pictures.

 

[Ironballs]

Yeah, you got me thinking about rat fights now too

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, you got me thinking about rat fights now too

You are very strange!!!! (and need help!)

Nice jig Stef

 

[Ironballs]

Well, maybe Should perhaps cut back on the Family Guy viewing...

Stef is your finish going to be a walnut stain?

 

[wizer]

Ah you've used the same method as I am working on for the lid and base. I did some test cuts and it's really quite simple to do. Your jig is interesting. Looks a bit of a fiddle tho.

 

[stef]

Ah you've used the same method as I am working on for the lid and base. I did some test cuts and it's really quite simple to do. Your jig is interesting. Looks a bit of a fiddle tho.

good luck !
remember to be very accurate in the cuts. it's less forgiving than my other boxes.
jig is no fiddle really:
-assemble the box
-loosely open the jig
-drop the jig on the box, tighen, measure to check for squareness, and adjust if required,
it's faster than using 8 clamps !

for the finish, i'll use some "brou de noix", which usually come in powder, and is prepared with water.
mine came already diluted (i couldnt find the powder one).
i am trying this finish i recently read about, using wood sealer, that walnut stuff and wax.

 

[The Shark]

Hi Stef,
looking good so far. Haven't seen a jig like that before, so will be interested to see the quality of the finished article. I suspect it will be very good. Please post some more pictures!!

Malc

 

[Benchwayze]

Yeah, you got me thinking about rat fights now too

I'll bring the Jack Russell!

Yes, that jig has got me thinking too. Shouldn't be too difficult. Looks like Screwfix will run out of threaded rod, nuts and penny washers!

 

[OPJ]

I like the jig and the detail for the lid. I look forward to seeing it all finished.

 

[miles_hot]

I just know that this is going to make me look dumb but where's the opening going to be - from the pictures it looks rather like you're making a hollow space with no lid!

Sorry to be thick!

Miles

 

[Lord Nibbo]

I just know that this is going to make me look dumb but where's the opening going to be - from the pictures it looks rather like you're making a hollow space with no lid!

Sorry to be thick!

Miles

He has made a hollow box with no lid, he'll cut the top off either on his table saw or use a router table after which he will have a perfect fitting lid with all the grain matching.

 

[miles_hot]

I just know that this is going to make me look dumb but where's the opening going to be - from the pictures it looks rather like you're making a hollow space with no lid!

Sorry to be thick!

Miles

He has made a hollow box with no lid, he'll cut the top off either on his table saw or use a router table after which he will have a perfect fitting lid with all the grain matching.

Ah ha = see told you it would show me to be stoopid!

 

[stef]

I just know that this is going to make me look dumb but where's the opening going to be - from the pictures it looks rather like you're making a hollow space with no lid!

Sorry to be thick!

Miles

He has made a hollow box with no lid, he'll cut the top off either on his table saw or use a router table after which he will have a perfect fitting lid with all the grain matching.

table saw, i think.
was going to go for panel saw, but i am getting lazy these days !
i removed the clamp last nigh, and it looks ok, i just wish i had seen the thread on shooting boards and mitres before i glue it all up !
i 'll try to do a bit more tomorow.

 

[stef]

opened, shaped and finished.

Not too keen on the finish. almost what i was looking for, but not quiet.
I know where i've gone wrong, so that's learning from my mistakes, i guess i wont do it like this again.

 

[OPJ]

Very nice, the finish looks clean to me.

 

[Ironballs]

Good work, that's the way we all progress, trying something out, seeing whether it works and whether we like it and remembering that for next time.

Now then, about these rat fights.....

 

[stef]

cheers.
well, i wanted to stain the pine, but not get that negative effect you do with the soft wood (the stain sinks right through.). so i gave it a coat of shellac first, then the stain. not usual, i know, and i know why too !
the shellac and the stain i used are both alcohol based, so in theory, not problem. a couple more coat of shellac on top of all this and then wax.however, the finish wasnt so good. next time, i will try the stain straight on the wood.