Writing Slope Dilema

[OakIris]

I ran into a similar problem when trying to use molding for my cigar box pen slots - the box was too shallow, and as I had no way to remove any excess wood to make the molding fit, I ended up going back to the tried and true wooden dowel method. I hope that sanding them down to size works well for you, Michael. I look forward to seeing how you get on.

 

Holly

[fuchsiaprincess]

Michael, have you considered using moldable plastic sheets? You can use the moldings to provide the shape for the plastic sheeting, and it should be quite easy to glue the leather onto it afterwards, right?

[my63]

Hi Fuchsiaprincess

I have looked at similar items before usually they require heat or some form of press to make it take the shape.

If anyone has any experience of this type of product I would appreciate any information you may have.

Thanks

Michael

[fuchsiaprincess]

The site that I linked to has a "How to..." section. You are absolutely correct, it does require heat application. It seems like they're using a hair-dryer to curve the sheet.

[my63]

Thanks Fuchsiaprincess I might order some to experiment with it will work for the smaller boxes.

 

I am persevering with the wooden moldings as our temperature came above zero today I got the sander out and reduced this

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8592488754_bd2192fb2a_z.jpg

IMG_0276 by my0771, on Flickr

 

To this

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8234/8598844678_7dc78cc5ab_z.jpg

IMG_0289 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This gives another 3 or 4 mm to the pen trays time to add the leather.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[OakIris]

:bunny01:

 

Holly

[my63]

Then this

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8228/8598971654_241634ae74_z.jpg

IMG_0298 by my0771, on Flickr

[Shangas]

If Michael doesn't mind, here are the latest photographs of my box-in-progress. Nothing on the same line as what he could produce, of course, but this is my own humble little effort, with my dad's help...

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0819_zpsc0630e9b.jpg

 

The box will have two trays. This is the bottom one. The upper tray will rest on top of the lower one, on some blocks of wood, and be lifted out with some leather tabs.

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0817_zpsc57071dd.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0818_zpse47ee1e3.jpg

 

The lining is brown suede fabric. I originally wanted to use green felt, but we couldn't find any in decent-enough sizes to cover the necessary real-estate.

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0820_zps3041797c.jpg

 

Some of my pens were impatient to move into their new home. I tried to stop them, but they put their nibs up to my neck and threatened bodily harm.

 

As it is there, the box is about...oh...80-90% finished?

 

I still have to sort out the top tray, put in the dividers, the lift-tabs, the tray-rests, then I have to sort out a couple of other aesthetic things. Then a final touch-up. But for all intents and purposes, the box is ready for use.

 

In case someone tries to steal my pens, the box also comes with keys:

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Market%20Pix/box-keys1.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Market%20Pix/box-keys4.jpg

 

So far, so good. What you see here is the construction of the top tray:

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0829_zpsee29bf9a.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0831_zpse96d63a3.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0832_zps59a58896.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0833_zpsa9fe4f1e.jpg

[my63]

Nice work Shangas.

 

The next stage of Hollys box

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8600011156_d2ec22d209_z.jpg

IMG_0307 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The edges need to be trimmed then I can apply the finish to the box then fix the inserts into the box.

 

Thanks for watching

 

Michael

[fuchsiaprincess]

Another early start to the day, Michael The molding-trays are beautiful

[OakIris]

It's looking very nice, Michael!

 

Your storage box is also quite lovely, Shangas. If you have already told us this, I apologize for missing it, but how did you make your tray inserts? They look as if they are made of plastic, with a wood divider, but they are probably something else, so I am curious. It's always good to find new ways of doing things....

 

Holly

[my63]

I am pleased that you like it Holly would you prefer the oak strip darker?

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8599916629_d47f4a7d66_z.jpg

IMG_3322_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is a trial fit without glue.

The lower tray is being a little more difficult.

 

Michael

[OakIris]

I am pleased that you like it Holly would you prefer the oak strip darker?

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8599916629_d47f4a7d66_z.jpg

IMG_3322_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is a trial fit without glue.

The lower tray is being a little more difficult.

 

Michael

I like the contrast of the lighter wood, but, I will leave that up to you - you are right there with it and if you think the lighter wood is distracting or would just look better darker, I bow to your good eye! (That sounds a bit odd, doesn't it?!? )

 

The leather sure looks nice with the Am. Madrona burr/burl wood - yummmmmmmmy!

 

(Sorry you have run into problems with the lower tray - there is always something, isn't there?)

 

Holly

Edited March 29, 2013 by OakIris

[my63]

Holly if it was all easy it would be no fun at all.

I want to try and add some strength to the base I am sure that I will resolve all of the issues

Michael

[esterbex]

@Shangas....What did you use to make your tray inserts?

[Shangas]

I covered that in another thread (which I can't find anymore). They're actually meant to hold DVD-cases! Why do you ask?

[esterbex]

I covered that in another thread (which I can't find anymore). They're actually meant to hold DVD-cases! Why do you ask?

 

Because I've not seen them before. They appear quite light yet sturdy. Where did you find them?

 

 

 

[Shangas]

Indeed. They are very light. They're a moulded plastic of some variety. Flexible, but the ridges are quite firm and solid. I purchased them at IKEA of all places! Hahaha.

 

This is what I used:

 

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/inreda-dvd-rack__59249_PE165013_S4.jpg

 

They're simple DVD racks. I simply traced around them and used a saw to cut them to the right shape.

Edited March 30, 2013 by Shangas

[esterbex]

Ahhhh.....synthetic rubber. Inreda DVD rack

 

And you covered them in felt? What was your adhesive?

[Shangas]

I was going to cover them in felt, but it turned out not to be practical. So they're just ordinary rubber, or plastic, or whatever it is.

 

The bottom tray is not glued to the chest at all. But the little wooden dividers are glued down with a type of clear-drying crafting-glue, used for wood, metal, plastic, ceramics, glass...the list goes on.

 

The top tray will be glued onto a wooden backing-board, with wooden side-pieces, to stop the pens falling off when I lift the tray out. And once that's all done, I'll include more of the little wooden dividers. And then it'll be finished.