Writing Slope Dilema

[my63]

Ok Then a natural wax finish it will be.

It might have a little shine hope that is ok it is a mixture of bees wax and carnuba wax.

The insides are looking pretty good as well.

Michael

[my63]

When this box first arrived I thought the hinges looked great and I still do however they do not hold the weight of the lid.

There was a piece of material inside that actually did the work of hinging the lid.

Velvet on its own stretches when the lid is opened this can cause the flocking to seperate from the backing which is not good.

I have done a number of tests and decided that a piece of card covered in velvet would do the job.

I may have to change this when the trays are made as the card and velvet strip between the base and lid folds into the inner box when the lid closes.

I have scored the back of this hinge piece to try and make it fold upwards when the lid closes.

Again I will not know until I have made the trays I want the trays to fit perfectly so I dont want to make them until the box is lined so it is a catch 22 situation.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8326033995_deb5021f6a_z.jpg

IMG_3123_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/8406553702_a8c9bb3257_z.jpg

IMG_9555 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8405466657_8b242694f1_z.jpg

IMG_9561 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The hinge piece has been clamped over night and is now fixed and works well

Thanks for looking

Michael

[my63]

I have been making good progress with this Art Decco box for Esterbex things dont always go exactly to plan however.

I usually use plywood behind the material on the inside of the lid and base to build strength into the box and give a good surface for the glue.

In this box both space and weight are an issue so I decided to use medium weight card which I normally use for the sides which I cut to size with my wifes paper trimmer(when she is out of course).

So what do I do when things dont quite work out I use pva glue for the material in this case velvet.

Sometimes the card and velvet dont quite stick and you get a bubble usually right in the middle.

A warm iron is your friend here as it softens the glue and makes it sticky all over again.

As you can see from the earlier pictures the hinge is in place and so is the base I fitted the piece inside the lid yesterday but somehow managed to get a black mark pretty much in the middle of the velvet.

I tried to remove the mark but in the end

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8230/8414220164_cdfa530a7f_z.jpg

IMG_9566 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It had to come out so I need to make another and no I am not a perfectionist I just want it to be right.

I am not having a good day as the piece for the inside front of the base does not fit either.

I might just call it a day.

Thanks

Michael

[esterbex]

Sometimes stepping back will reveal a new path unseen before.

 

Take your time....It's supposed to be fun!

 

 

[my63]

It only revealed the same piece of mahogany that was there before :roflmho:

Dont worry esterbex it is still fun just trying to help anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8413352189_86acc342c9_z.jpg

IMG_9601 by my0771, on Flickr

The new piece of card has been cut and is ready to be wrapped in velvet and stuck in place tonight or tomorrow.

 

oooh look what arrived this afternoon

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8414280478_0e3c904b60_z.jpg

IMG_9578 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8414289426_b90610fdcb_z.jpg

IMG_9592 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I really have to stop buying these boxes or find a better hiding place.

 

Thanks for looking

Michael

[ihimlen]

This is a really cool thread - I had no idea there is someone else here on the FPN who likes doing antique box restoration Having seen the initial project I might actually consider getting a box that needs a total re-fit and new veneer as opposed to just replacing teeny bits of veneer and such.

 

 

Here's one of my last year's projects; this is a nice writing slope in walnut veneer with an inlaid cartouche (boxwood, ebony and brass) to the top and the key escutcheon. The box was in a pretty sorry state when I got it: it badly needed re-polishing and someone actually painted on (!) the burr to the front and then waxed the whole thing leaving the old french polish beneath. (Yuck!) I guess the restoration was made some time in the 50s (?) and someone also removed the original leather, leaving only the gilt border. Then, they applied some blueish velvet writing surface. (How cute ;-) ). The top catch of the slope was bust and there was no key; the front cartouche lacked the brass key escutcheon; a little bit of the boxwood veneer was also missing and someone just glued in some wood in there. There were also some other issues that needed tending but I got these sorted too.

 

This is what the writing slope looked like when I got it:

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/writingslope35.png

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/writingslope34.png

 

....and this is during the restoration:

 

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC00470.jpg

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC00474.jpg

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC00473.jpg

 

I removed the old wax and then - the old french polish; wherever I could, I removed these using chemical method rather than sanding. I then cleaned the entire box and removed the dust etc. I also got rid of the old 'dead' (and fugly) writing surface. Next I made the inlaid brass key escutcheon as well as the top catch for the lock - I got them fitted and I prepared the surface. Finally, I french polished the entire box. I've put three coats of french polish, one every two weeks. Last but not least, I fitted the new gilt leather writing surface and a new-old [antique] victorian key to lock the box.

 

This is the same box following restoration - the original grain of the figured walnut was so attractive that I didn't have to paint on any burl ;-)

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC02799.jpg

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC02789.jpg

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC02784.jpg

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC02674.jpg

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC02720.jpg

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC02782.jpg

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk60/ihiml3n/Boxes/DSC02680.jpg

 

 

i.

Edited January 25, 2013 by ihimlen

[esterbex]

Very nice

ihimlen. Very nice indeed!

[ihimlen]

Esterbex, thanks for the kind words, this is pretty much as much fun as restoring pens I've been reading this thread on and on and I just saw the newest box - the mahogany canteen with its campaign handle looks really handsome, innit? With just some minor restoration/refitting and replacing the thread key escutcheon this will be one huh-yooge pen chest - I bet Michael will work wonders on that case! I've been seriously hooked on vintage pens and antique furniture for ages and I just love good restoration projects! So now that I discovered this thread, it looks like I will be following it from now on ;-)

 

i.

[fuchsiaprincess]

ihimlen - you did a mighty fine job restoring that writing slope

 

my63 - I love that cutlery box Is it spoken for, or may I please put my hand up for it?

[my63]

Hi ihimlen that is a fantastic box you have done a great job on the restoration it is possible that the velvet was the origional covering on the writing slope.

Do you have any other pictures of projects you could share? I would really like to see them.

 

I have a similar coloured dome topped box in the garage it has inlay on the top I cant find any pictures I am sure I have some somewhere.

 

I do have some pictures of esterbex Art Decco box they will do for now I am sure.

I resolved the issue with the inner of the lid http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8413996481_00e1b3dfca_z.jpg

IMG_9607 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8413997147_e2ab400253_z.jpg

IMG_9608 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Sorry it is a little difficult to see all of the detail there is so much red velvet inside of this box.

I have started the inner pieces for the rest of the lid (hope that makes sense) and will fit them next week.

I have also fiited some rare earth magnets into the lid and base to help the two stay closed.

Once the inside is complete I can finish the trays the components are all cut oversize at the moment.

There will be three trays in total but more of that later.

Thanks

Michael

[my63]

ihimlen - you did a mighty fine job restoring that writing slope

 

my63 - I love that cutlery box Is it spoken for, or may I please put my hand up for it?

 

My honest answer is I dont know my first intention was that it would be ideal for my own collection but what I can say you will have first refusal if I decide not to keep it.

It only arrived the other day so I just checked it over quickly the lock has been hacksawed open but I can fix that.

It has a few other issues not least its weight I payed more for postage than I did for the box

I also think it needs a bright interior maybe neon blue or fuchsia pink suede :hmm1:

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8414289426_b90610fdcb_z.jpg

IMG_9592 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I think it will hold over 100 pens

[fuchsiaprincess]

Michael,

 

Please don't let me deprive you of such a beautiful box. Thank you very much for letting me have first dibs if you decide not to keep it for yourself. I do hope that you will keep it (kinda ), because you have been so busy restoring and creating boxes for so many of us; you deserve one yourself.

 

Hope you are enjoying a nice weekend!

[esterbex]

I tell you, Michael....If you ever get bored with box restoration, I think you might have a good future in upholstery....You can wrap a frame! You are meticulous!

[Runnin_Ute]

So how did they turn out,Michael?

[my63]

So how did they turn out,Michael?

 

Sorry how did which one turn out ?

[esterbex]

So how did they turn out,Michael?

 

Sorry how did which one turn out ?

 

Wondering the same thing....

[my63]

Art Decco box update I had the oak for these trays cut especially for this box as Esterbex wanted three trays inside rather than two.

I started off by cutting the base to fit the inside of the box regardless of wether it was square.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8463/8446188064_3b0238f402_z.jpg

IMG_3225_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next stage is to mark the frame to the size of the base and mitre the ends these pieces are laid out flat end to end in order and tape is placed on the outside of the joints.

Turn the frame over and glue joints fold it all up and add the last piece of tape add mitre clamp and leave to set.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8445137295_b16c0773ed_z.jpg

IMG_3229_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8445137613_4b1932fa24_z.jpg

IMG_3230_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8356/8445138051_a23d4c48bf_z.jpg

IMG_3231_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step is to lie the top of the tray on a piece of board and add glue the place the base in place and add pressure.

Once the frame and base are joined together I will trim the edges flush and sand.

As this box is going outside the UK I have used a high performance resin based glue my supplier assures me that this glue is as strong as the oak it is being used on.

 

Because of the hinge system in use on this box the top tray may have to be slightly smaller than the bottom two.

 

Thanks for looking

Michael

[esterbex]

 

I'm so excited!!!

Thank you for the nuts and bolts of it all....It is quite a complicated process of which I had no clue.

You are a craftsman indeed!

[Runnin_Ute]

So how did they turn out,Michael?

 

Sorry how did which one turn out ?

 

I don't recall :embarrassed_smile: which I was referring to at the time...

[my63]

So how did they turn out,Michael?

 

Sorry how did which one turn out ?

 

I don't recall :embarrassed_smile: which I was referring to at the time...

 

Dont worry about it sometimes I dont show the final project pictures until the new owner has the box and is happy with it.

If click on one of my pictures it will take you to my flicker account where the pictures of all my boxes are stored. Then you can catch up on any projects.

Regards

Michael