Writing Slope Dilema

[ZachWasniak]

To be restored to their ORIGINAL function, these would require a complete rebuild...It's quite an ambitious task...

 

The issue WITH writing-boxes is that, because they're cut on the diagonal, for that VERY specific purpose of creating the slope, there's not much else you can practically use them for, in my opinion. They were designed for ONE purpose, and one purpose only. And if not used for that purpose, there's not much else they're good for...

I'm with Shangas on this one. Maybe ink/pen storage... I don't see why not. But I would try to make them back into writing boxes.

[my63]

I have two projects to update Alc3261 s box had hit a minor stumbling block re hinges I am happy to say that I have resolved this I will provide pictures tomorrow.

 

Hollys box has come along well I noticed that one edge of the tray was curved and as veneer is quite brittle I was worried about this especially as I asumed it was the front.

I soaked the veneer in water I fixed it in place with masking tape and allowed it to dry.

After it dried I removed the tape and the veneer returned to being flat.

I re soaked and applied glue fired up my trusty iron and used heat to fix it in place and to my surprise it worked.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8536793997_d05314b0e6_z.jpg

IMG_9993 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8518/8536798609_a20518f1b8_z.jpg

IMG_0002 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8528/8537892692_a6492f1ff4_z.jpg

IMG_9985 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks

Michael

[MaddyMarcel]

This is such a fun thread ... it's great to see someone caring for these old boxes! Michael, you're very talented!

[Vulcan1066]

wonderful work. thank you for sharing it with us.

[my63]

Thanks for the compliments

 

I forgot to mention yesterday after spending a couple of hours bending the veneer

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8537896234_5d58b49253_z.jpg

IMG_9990 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I realised that this was the back of the tray and once the box is put back together the curved veneer will never be seen.

All being well I will start sanding today and both boxes will be ready to start the finishing process next week.

 

Thanks again for watching

Michael

[OakIris]

My used-to-be Ryman's box is looking lovely, Michael, and nothing like the original - stunning! Sorry you spent all of that time and effort veneering a portion of the tray that won't be seen; true attention to detail, though, and it really looks nice just the same.

 

(Why is it that the hinges on these boxes just won't cooperate? I have a similar problem with the hinges on the flatware storage box I am modifying as the one that you had with esterbex's storage box, they just aren't strong enough to hold up the lid. They were originally assisted by a cloth "hinge" like the one you ended up replacing with the velvet and card. I haven't decided what to do, just may be very careful about opening the lid fully so that I don't stress the cheap hinges that were installed on the box!)

 

Can't wait to see more picture's of Alc3261's box and of mine!

 

Holly

[my63]

Thanks Holly

You could always cheat and glue a small piece of wood to the back of the box to support the lid when it is open.

Both boxes are looking fantastic and I am about to start sanding then clean up wash desk and floor then I can think about applying the finish.

Six Nations rugby tomorrow and Sunday so lots of time to sand.

I am thinking of adding more veneer to alc3261 s box I will add pictures later.

Michael

[my63]

This is the alc3261 box I would like to add dark veneer to match the top around the inside if the lid and the base this will also allow magnets to be used to keep the lid closed.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8540256394_e37304b6d1_z.jpg

IMG_0004 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8540263750_4da7d11552_z.jpg

IMG_0009 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The veneer will go right to the edges of the box the only potential down side would be that you will be able to see the dark edges when the box is closed.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8540313170_66ffc5c5c5_z.jpg

IMG_0024 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Obviousley it will look better than this picture as this veneer is loose in between the top and bottom pieces.

 

before I forget hinges these are barell hinges 8mm in diameter and will be ideal

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8539230685_a177b44471_z.jpg

IMG_0026 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks

Michael

[OakIris]

Thanks Holly

You could always cheat and glue a small piece of wood to the back of the box to support the lid when it is open.

Both boxes are looking fantastic and I am about to start sanding then clean up wash desk and floor then I can think about applying the finish.

Six Nations rugby tomorrow and Sunday so lots of time to sand.

I am thinking of adding more veneer to alc3261 s box I will add pictures later.

Michael

Thank you for the idea of adding a block of wood - that might just do the trick! I will have to see if that will work. I was thinking about some sort of prop, but something attached to the box would be better.

 

This is the alc3261 box I would like to add dark veneer to match the top around the inside if the lid and the base this will also allow magnets to be used to keep the lid closed.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8540256394_e37304b6d1_z.jpg

IMG_0004 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8540263750_4da7d11552_z.jpg

IMG_0009 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The veneer will go right to the edges of the box the only potential down side would be that you will be able to see the dark edges when the box is closed.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8540313170_66ffc5c5c5_z.jpg

IMG_0024 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Obviousley it will look better than this picture as this veneer is loose in between the top and bottom pieces.

 

before I forget hinges these are barell hinges 8mm in diameter and will be ideal

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8539230685_a177b44471_z.jpg

IMG_0026 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks

Michael

Pretty, pretty, Michael. Of course alc3621's input is the one that counts, but I think the dark veneer looks really nice, a good contrast. I don't think seeing the dark edges of the veneer when the lid is closed detracts from the aesthetics, either, but you will have to decide if it adds to it, or not, since you get to gaze on it in person!

 

Holly

[my63]

I have to be honest my weekend did not go as planned rugby and boxes was replaced by shopping for prom dresses high heeled shoes and jackets for my daughter not me :roflmho:.

Sunday lunch for mothers day plus more shopping !

At least I saw some of the rugby

Anyway back to boxes

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8548776006_ffec99a57f_z.jpg

IMG_0042 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8377/8547675003_9a3f84188c_z.jpg

IMG_0041 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8547676271_c4ce09eca7_z.jpg

IMG_0043 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8252/8547674405_4afdf6d75e_z.jpg

IMG_0040 by my0771, on Flickr

 

If I have done this right there should be four different pictures here of the four corners of alc3261 s box.

I hand cut the lid and as the box is 25mm or 1 inch thick you will not be surprised to hear that it was not straight.

I have more sanding to do before I am happy with the fit of the lid.

Thanks

Michael

[my63]

I am having a little difficulty with the lid on alc3261 s box I have sanded and sanded and still have more sanding to do.

So for a change I sanded the trays this morning and still have more sanding to do.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8550853177_0d03e2a557_z.jpg

IMG_0053_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8550851017_4262cbd2eb_z.jpg

IMG_0060 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8507/8550850277_bf5e32017b_z.jpg

IMG_0063 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The trays are not perfect but I am happy with the progress two trays need dividers so I have made those as well.

 

I am determined to resolve the problem with the lid I need to think on it for a little while.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I am a little behind where I would like to be but I have started preparing for the finish.

Hollys box covered in American Madrona burr veneer it has been sanded with wet and dry to 1200 grit and then sanded with micromesh to 12000 grit

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8557513867_bbef56c6d4_z.jpg

IMG_0081 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8557512149_85273827e0_z.jpg

IMG_0079 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8557508457_756ec20fc3_z.jpg

IMG_0074 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Alc3261 s box I have had some problems with the fitting of the lid this was down to the poor hand cut of the lid and the fact that the wood is so thick it takes a long time to sand but I am getting there.

This is Brazilian burr walnut again sanded from 180 grit to 1200 grit micromesh there is no wax or sealer on this yet.

Once I have decided on hinges I will apply sanding sealer and then wax.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8558617176_b9fbddb7da_z.jpg

IMG_0073 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8558616202_8d8b13c21a_z.jpg

IMG_0071 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8557504897_3f5ceee2be_z.jpg

IMG_0068 by my0771, on Flickr

 

both boxes still have some contours and are very tactile.

More to follow soon

Thanks

Michael

[OakIris]

Both boxes are looking very nice, Michael.

 

Good to hear that with a bit more sanding, you will be able to get the lid to fit properly on alc's box; I know you were getting a bit frustrated with it and were worried that you might need to start over. Glad that your perseverance paid off!

 

Holly

[my63]

I may have mentioned once or twice that I have had some difficulties with this lid.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8564787302_cfbf78f1c1_z.jpg

IMG_0091 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8563685463_0e82648e4b_z.jpg

IMG_0093 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It still needs a little tweaking but I honestly never thought I would get those two pieces to match up again.

I have remade one of the trays to make it deeper then adjusted the other two to make tem all fit.

I have decided to go with barrel hinges for this box they need to be a tight fit so they will be done last.

Thanks for looking

Michael

[Shangas]

A LONG time ago, I started re-purposing an old cutlery box to make it into a pen-chest. I'm proud to say, it's nearly finished. It's a little project between my father and myself.

 

So far, we've sanded the wood, we've stained it, we've lined the interior with brown suede, and we're on the verge of inserting the pen-trays, dividers and tray-supports.

 

Here's what it looks like so far...

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0711_zpscd4e4854.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0712_zps1372f449.jpg

 

All the excess fabric has been glued and/or trimmed off, since these photos were taken, and the entire interior of the box (apart from the base, which will be covered by the pen-tray) has been lined in brown suede.

 

We hope to get the box finished by the end of the month (we can only work on it during weekends, unfortunately).

 

There is a really annoying ring-mark on the lid (thanks to someone putting a glass of water there). It's basically impossible to remove, without stripping the entire box to pieces and reveneering it. We're thinking of sticking something on top of it to cover it up. Fortunately, the ring is almost right in the middle of the lid, so it shouldn't look too weird.

 

We've spoken to professional antiques restorers, woodworkers and carpenters and explained what the problem was, and what we've tried. And the answers they gave were basically that the damage is irrepairable. The only way to remove it is to remove the lid itself, and re-veneer the entire box. Which is far too much work for us to bother with, since it's such a tiny area.

[my63]

Hi Shangas

It is great to see your project progressing.

I am very interested in your white mark, this can be a heat mark or a watermark or a combination of both.

It might be a shellac based finish or varnish the solution is the same and it would be worth trying. Especially if you are planning to refinish the top.

 

Take a dry cotton cloth and lay it over the mark then take a warm iron and pass it over the cloth increasing the temperature until the mark has gone.

It is an old french polishers trick for applying polish in cold conditions to prevent bloom (condensation under the polish)

 

I really wish my father was still here to work with me unfortunatley my son is not really interested in working with his hands unless it is on an xbox.

 

Regards

Michael

[my63]

At the moment I am only able to do little tasks so I started making the inserts for my current projects.

 

Holly has agreed for her box to be the first to use this new method

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8574420004_b5aa42cc13_z.jpg

IMG_0135 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8574422868_2c08fdb542_z.jpg

IMG_0141 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I hope the pictures show enough detail I will post more information later.

[alc3261]

At the moment I am only able to do little tasks so I started making the inserts for my current projects.

 

Holly has agreed for her box to be the first to use this new method

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8574420004_b5aa42cc13_z.jpg

IMG_0135 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8574422868_2c08fdb542_z.jpg

IMG_0141 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I hope the pictures show enough detail I will post more information later.

It looks good!!

Edited March 20, 2013 by alc3261

[my63]

Hi alc3261

Your trays are next if you would like this method rather than dowels.

Michael

[alc3261]

Hi alc3261

Your trays are next if you would like this method rather than dowels.

Michael

 

Yes, I rather like this method.

Thanks