Writing Slope Dilema

[ajzeller]

I have a handy hint for anyone who might be planning on working with wood and especially shellac dont let any moisture near the shellac.

What happens is you have a beautiful flat smooth surface that has milky white blotches under the surface.

The next thing to do is spend the next three hours with a piece of sandpaper rubbing it all off .

I know I am learning some important lessons here because my arm hurts.

Thanks for not laughing

Michael

Yes, shellac can be pretty tricky! When I work with it, I prefer to put it on in thinned coats. It definitely takes longer (1.5-2x longer actually) but it really reduces the chances of the hazing appearance. (It also looks a little better IMO, but that's always up for debate)

[my63]

Thanks ajzeller

 

I think we are on the final steps now the beautiful leather I had intended to use is too thick so it is back to the origonal faux suede.

Let me know what you think the glue was still wet when I took these pictures I will wait to see in the morning.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7859914842_65ea8668b6_z.jpg

IMG_1810 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7859913270_76ae72206a_z.jpg

IMG_1809 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/7859911608_dbb92016d6_z.jpg

IMG_1808 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7859909840_5ffde6feff_z.jpg

IMG_1807 by my0771, on Flickr.

 

I have started applying the wax finish if all is well with this surface I will only have to apply the felt base and it is finished.

Thanks for looking

Michael

[my63]

I am not going to delete the previous post but please ignore it.

the faux suede looks really good on the pen trays but does not work as the writing surface so that material is now in the bin.

I bought some more thinner leather no red so I thought brown might be good unfortunatley not.

So it was back to the red i already have I have made some adjustments to the box to enable the red leather to fit

 

And it does

I just need to stick it down

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7865983070_dbc15f7f08_z.jpg

IMG_1823 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7865979634_4dfa6c4610_z.jpg

IMG_1821 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7865974262_eb050ccef7_z.jpg

IMG_1818 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The photographs do not show how well this all goes together I am really pleased with the way it looks.

 

Thanks for looking

Michael

[Marlow]

That red leather looks pukka!

[my63]

OK friends

 

It is finished although I am very pleased with it the writing slope is by no means perfect.

I have left the finish as wax it smells as good as it looks.

 

Sorry did you want pictures

 

Outside

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8172/7888839722_436f3118aa_z.jpg

IMG_1827 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/7888834642_8978bd5023_z.jpg

IMG_1824 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8438/7888853074_43a3803614_z.jpg

IMG_1837 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Inside

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8296/7888841444_3fcd140e8f_z.jpg

IMG_1828 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7888844930_c5b79579de_z.jpg

IMG_1830_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/7888848244_c309a487cf_z.jpg

IMG_1832 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/7888849586_bf2ddfb710_z.jpg

IMG_1833 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/7888859402_e0fc485a8c_z.jpg

IMG_1843 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I think in total I have spent over 100 hours on this writing slope and I can honestly say I have enjoyed everyone of them

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7433913842_44d6e7c1ef_z.jpg

IMG_1398 by my0771, on Flickr

would you like to see the next project?

 

thanks for looking

 

Michael

[DavidHandmade]

Holy Cow!

 

I just found this thread and have thoroughly enjoyed it -!

 

Michael - your work is incredible - !

 

You have transformed a cast-off wooden box into a beautiful piece that would be welcome on anyone's desk!!

 

- Great work, Dude !!

 

- and YES - please post MORE of your writing slope restoration "adventures"!!

 

Best -

David K.

[Shangas]

VERY snappy.

 

I have just ONE issue and I beg you will forgive me for mentioning this...but...

 

With hinges like that, it does rather break up the continuity of the writing-slope. Otherwise it looks dandy.

[fuchsiaprincess]

That is one awesome-looking writing box, Michael

 

Can't wait to see your next project

 

Keep up the good work!

[pmhudepo]

It's been wonderful to follow your adventures throughout the summer in this thread. Great result! Will you be using it yourself, or are you considering selling it?

[my63]

Thank you for your comments.

I have really enjoyed this process and I have already bought the next three boxes so there will be more.

The next box has a lock but no key so I will try to show how to make a key (hopefuuly) I have done it once so we will see.

What to do with this box has been a difficult decision as I have spent so long working on it.

As I dont have enough pens in my Parker Duofold and Victory collection to fill the slope that I already have, So I have decided to let this one go.

The box will only be sold on this forum as I have desgined it to hold fountain pens and hopefully to be used for writing.

I did not set out to make money from this project so placing a value on it is very difficult for me, This is required for a classified advert.

Hopefully I will be able to offer it as a trade to increase my collection rather than just sell it.

 

I hope this post is within the rules and would be happy to alter it if it does not.

Thanks

Michael

[BamaPen]

Michael,

 

Really an amazing transformation. I've followed this thread from the beginning and never for a moment thought that you would be able to start with that beat-up, practically trashed, remains of a writing slope and finish with something perhaps even better than it was when new. The hours you've spent were a work of love and well worth all your effort.

 

John

[my63]

this writing slope is now available in the classified section

Thanks

Michael

[Shangas]

Next time you do a box like this, I suggest selecting a different style of hinges. The type that open and close flush together, not those which leave a gap between them.

[pen2paper]

Absolutely love the After pic with the nice smooth surface.

T h e n, the Before shot..

lest we forget.

wow!

[my63]

I am about to start the next project and was wondering wether I should start a new thread or just continue here and maybe change the name to writing slope restoration or similar partly because I misspelt dilemma and partly as it would no longer fit.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/7908935258_b6e966f200_z.jpg

IMG_1617 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is looking like the favourite at the moment

 

I am hoping to get to the North East pen show tomorrow if possible might even get to buy a new pen.

 

Michael

[fuchsiaprincess]

Keep going in this thread, Michael. That way, all your projects are in the same spot.

 

Enjoy your trip to the North East pen show

[my63]

Keep going in this thread, Michael. That way, all your projects are in the same spot.

 

Enjoy your trip to the North East pen show

 

Ok I will use this thread

 

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/7930981854_ab8c0f49b3_z.jpg

IMG_1909 by my0771, on Flickr

 

this is the new pen I bought at the pen show and the box I made especially for it back to the drawing board for me then.

Michael

[my63]

Project Two

Locks

This is a very simple lock and I hope that by explaining how it works I will be able to make a key for it.

The lock is made from a brass backplate and top with mild steel side and cover.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7969603720_c2012efb66_z.jpg

IMG_1964 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This box has been closed many times on a lock that was locked causing damage to what I will call the pins.

I have added some text to try and help you to understand

 

These pin form part of the lever on a larger lock the levers are separate. There is a slot in these pins that holds a small piece of sprung steel

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/7969752814_4e0e9280c7_z.jpg

Lock 1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The lock has been taken apart and brushed down

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/7969784732_0657bb4d31_z.jpg

Lock 2 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have straightened the lever pin section and refitted the spring bar

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7969614536_b261ecd372_z.jpg

IMG_1976 by my0771, on Flickr

 

More to follow later if I have lost anyone please let me know

Michael

[fuchsiaprincess]

Hi Michael, thank you very much for mini tutorial on the inner workings of the lock

 

What did you use to brush down the brass?

[my63]

Hi Fuscia princess

I used the small paint brush that I use for spreading glue that has gone hard.

Low tech but it works.

Since those pictures were taken this morning I have laid a piece of wet and dry paper on a board and rubbed the lever pin section along it.

I have rubbed a small file along the brass where pieces meet smooth works better.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8460/7970051282_f81349bc8b_z.jpg

IMG_1978 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I had this key in my drawer it is a little bit too large for this job but it will do for now

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7970055838_e2ae84bec5_z.jpg

IMG_1985 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8311/7970380050_d8707f7252_z.jpg

key 3 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Next step is to take a hacksaw to the key and remove the unwanted material from the bit to allow the cover to be fitted back into place ( i will look for a smaller key)

Hope this is clear

Michael