Writing Slope Dilema

[Skoff]

Hi Michael, today I have been making a new bottom for my box.

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t363/skoff13/smllDSC_1443_zpsfaec9e2e.jpg

 

I've had to shave a few mm off the edges to get it all to fit as I only had access to plywood that was a bit too thick. The outside looks a bit rough at the moment, but I shall add a bit of wood filler and you won't see a thing when the veneer is applied.

 

I'm struggling with the spring for the secret compartment. I have managed to get an old hack saw blade into shape by heating it up and dipping it in cold water, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to get two holes in it. I have blunted a titanium drill bit, and a couple of nails I tried to use as a punch. Any ideas?

 

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t363/skoff13/smllDSC_1441_zps00edaa33.jpg

 

I'm looking forward to doing the brass bits as you are about to do, I think I'm going for simplicity this time.

[my63]

Hi Skoff

Spring steel is very hard Last time I had a similar problem my drill was in reverse. Try lubricating the drill bit with wd40 see if that helps.

Is there anyway to wedge the steel in place with a small piece of wood

[Skoff]

yes I did check that the drill was running the right way, WD didn't do the trick. Wedging it in place is certainly worth exploring, maybe even with a little brass strap. I think I need to sleep on that one.

 

I might also ask the maintenance chaps at work to see if they have anything that could help.

[my63]

I was wondering if it would be possible to use the end of the blade that has the pin in and either use the pin as a fixing or knock the pin out and use the hole for a nail or screw.

I will find an old blade tomorrow and see if I can put a hole in it.

I have some tungsten carbide tipped router bits for my proxxon machine even if you have to post it to me I am sure we will find a way.

How is the brass comming?

Michael

[Shangas]

The leaf-supports have been cut and stained. This is what the new writing-leaves look like with the supports underneath:

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Writing%20Box/IMG_1145_zps872f8d63.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Writing%20Box/IMG_1146_zps69150d75.jpg

 

 

Gluing the support-blocks to the inside of the box will happen this weekend. Once that's done, we have to puzzle over the issue of how to cover the leaves. We need two types of fabric/material:

 

1. Reinforcing strip to join the two leaves together across the central hinge of the box.

2. Surfacing fabric to cover the leaves and join everything together.

 

Any suggestions on what type of fabric to use for the reinforcing strip? We already know what fabric will be covering the writing-surface.

[my63]

Hi Shangas

It looks like your leaves are level with the sides of your box are you planning on lowering them before you add the material.

I try to use the same material as the top just because you can see a little at the back when the box is closed.

[Shangas]

Hi,

 

The leaves are SLIGHTLY below. I'm trying my best to get the level right, but it's proving tricky, due to the damage that the box sustained before we purchased it. From what I can deduce, the original panels for this box were about TWICE as thick as the ones I have there. I need to adjust the little support-pieces inside the box before I glue them down. It's supposed to be level with the little recess between the hinges (which is about a milimeter or two down). But like I said, I'm limited to what I can do due to the issues the box already has.

 

I also found a piece of wood which I can use to fix that broken left inkwell-slot. I'm yet to decide exactly HOW I'm going to fix that, though.

[my63]

I have made these in the past and had exactly the same problem it is difficult. I understand that these boxes come to us in terrible condition and people have done the strangest things to them.

My current project was held together with pink sticking plaster the glue was very difficult to remove.

 

I measured the distance from the top of the supports to the top of the edge of the box to work out how thick the leaves were.

Then I used a double thickness of plywood and veneer to make up the thickness of mine.

 

The recess between the hinges is deeper as it is where the strengthening material goes as well as the top cover.

 

It might sound drastic but it would be easier to cut out the damaged section and replace right up to the sound edges of the box

 

 

Best of luck

Michael

[Shangas]

I saw a box being sold for $195 at antiques shop.

 

Someone had screwed a handle into the top of the box.

 

The result was that they not only ruined the box's ability to lie flat on a table, and thereby render it useless for its original purpose, they also destroyed the finish on the lid.

 

...and they still wanted $200 for it.

 

Any takers for a useless writing-box?

[Skoff]

Quick update from me...

 

The leather arrived, it's a nice deep red colour, similar to the original. I have WAY more than I need, so if anybody else is looking for some, I'm sure we could come to an arrangement.

 

I have also solved my broken spring problem. Michael, thanks once again for your suggestion of removing the little pin in a hack saw blade, it has allowed me to use the hole to screw the spring down. It was still a bit of a nightmare making the hole big enough, but I got there in the end. It will need a bit of tidying up when I come to finish the box of (loooong way to go yet...) but you get the idea.

 

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t363/skoff13/smllDSC_1446_zpsc1662cb2.jpg

 

I have had to bend the spring back a bit as originally it was a bit err, aggressive, and pinged the whole board off at some speed!

[my63]

Nice work skoff I am pleased you managed to sort that out

Michael

[fuchsiaprincess]

Skoff, if that a hacksaw blade you're using as the spring? If yes, it is simply ingenious!

[Shangas]

Using a scrap-piece of MDF, I've managed to cut out a fill-in piece for the broken inkwell-slot on the left side of my box. It shall be glued in...eventually.

 

I'm gluing the eight support-pieces in today. Hopefully.

 

Oh, and I bought the glue for the fabric today.

[my63]

I had some treatment last week which meant i have not been able to do anything well not much,

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/8999133114_13c4d5acde_z.jpg
IMG_3848_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8554/8997943983_39078b6903_z.jpg
IMG_3846_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The idea with the top and front was that the grain would flow over the edge and across the opening.

I have started to cut the hole for the lock escutchen plate I have started cutting the brass but have had to leave that for now.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/8999135188_f8134511bd_z.jpg
IMG_3849_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/8999098296_6285ca9261_z.jpg
IMG_3830_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

The writing leaves had pieces broken off and pieces missing as you can see there was some writing on the back I was thinking of covering this with some nice paper.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/8999111440_483c048383_z.jpg
IMG_3837_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8140/8999104982_de7ce157e0_z.jpg
IMG_3833_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have repaired The broken pieces and filled the missing areas with wood then sanded it level

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/8999102748_8446322b58_z.jpg
IMG_3832_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

Thanks for looking

Michael

 

 

 

[Skoff]

Looking forward to seeing this one develop Michael. It's a shame the writing on the box isn't something a little less mundane as it might have been nice to make a sort of historical feature out of it. Still, when it's done I bet it will be a stunning box!

[OakIris]

Looking forward to seeing this one develop Michael. It's a shame the writing on the box isn't something a little less mundane as it might have been nice to make a sort of historical feature out of it. Still, when it's done I bet it will be a stunning box!

+1 Just what I thought, too, why not something more profound?!? lol (And why would you write stuff like this directly on the wood instead of writing it on the paper that is supposed to be used with a writing slope? )

 

I love the way you installed the veneer so that the grain flows almost seamlessly from one part to the next, Michael. Beautiful!

 

 

Holly

[my63]

If anyone out there is looking for a project box this one is ideal

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300918394029?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

I am not in a position to bid but I would be willing to offer help and support to anyone who would like to give it a go.

The pictures are really bad and the veneer is lifting a little on the top

The godd things are it is quite a large box and a good dark colour and best of all has a drawer would hold lots of pens.

 

Good luck

Michael

[Skoff]

Time for a brief update from me.

 

First job was to fill in the rather crude diamond cartouche that was on top of the box and sanded it flush with the lid of the box, adding a little filler here and there to produce a nice flat surface.

 

Next was the addition of some brass corners, which was quite a difficult job, and they still are not completely even which will no doubt create some issues when I come to veneer the box. I have also created a new cartouche and matching escutcheon for the box, and applied both. In terms of brass work I still need to add the brass wire inlay, but I think this is best done when the veneer is in place.

 

Here is a pic of the current state of the box:

 

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t363/skoff13/smllDSC_1451_zpsa19d9cb4.jpg

 

I'm getting close to the veneer stage now, I'm going to make some templates of the box out of card or paper to help me cut the veneer.

 

I have also ordered some French polishing paraphernalia as I think that might be fun to have a go at.

[my63]

Excellent work Skoff that is going to be a fantastic box when it is finished.

There is a guy called Peter Dunsmore on youtube he shows how to add inlays to veneer I will find a link for you later.

French polishing is good fun just remember to keep the rubber moving, boiled linseed oil will help you in the early stages.

 

Regards

 

Michael

[my63]

If anyone out there is looking for a project box this one is ideal

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300918394029?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

I am not in a position to bid but I would be willing to offer help and support to anyone who would like to give it a go.

The pictures are really bad and the veneer is lifting a little on the top

The godd things are it is quite a large box and a good dark colour and best of all has a drawer would hold lots of pens.

 

Good luck

Michael

Remember this box normally I like to bid on things live and place my highest bid at the last minute.

I knew I would not be home to bid and as I was in a meeting I could not bid on my mobile so before I left home I bid £5 the minimum bid and was certain I would be out bid but if you don't play you cant win, anyway I won it and it should be delivered today.

I just need to hide it from my wife or I am in big trouble