Thread: 9 Box prototypes WIP - from palings.

That stepped box looks interesting, good thing they’re lidless [emoji23]

Brett, who did the first pile of timber ...he got an "A" ...well done!! Cheers...

AHA! You've fallen into my cunning trap - who said that was the top eh? (which of course begs the question......)

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Following on from sorting out my 377m of palings that I have accumulated, I am now in the process of making 9 box prototypes.

There will be a few different types, and a couple of versions/sizes of most of them (so there's 4-5 different types). All of this lot will be lidless.

The bases for all of them will be 6mm Marine Ply ('coz that's what I have on hand).

based rebated in, or just screwed on?

I'm thinking just screwed on (certainly for this first lot). They have to be quick to put together in batches of 5 or 10 of each. These are essentially some market testers to see what is what. There is no doubt that the designs and assembly techniques will change as the project goes on.

6:11
You're up and at the computer early this morning

Yeah, it seems my brain is in early mode again. One of the neighbours has moved out and that flat is empty so I can make noise a bit earlier than usual....

The other thing about rebating the bases in is that these palings are always so dry and brittle that a router can tear them apart. Just spreading glue on them results in crumbs appearing in the glue (which will interfere with the joint).

re screwing the bases on
while the long sides are cross grain -- great for screw holding -- the short sides are end grain -- not good for screw holding, and will expand and contract, changing the depth of the box.

I think I would use a bead of glue along the front long edge and then brads or staples to attach the bases. light nails will bend if the sides move.

Have you installed a camera in the ceiling Brett?.
I'm interested in how these boxes will finish up, following with interest. It is surprising how nice the timber is considering all the weathering and relatively thin material.

Alan...

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Following on from sorting out my 377m of palings that I have accumulated, I am now in the process of making 9 box prototypes.

1. Boxes - parts ready.JPG

.

Yes, I may well end up with a pneumatic bradder, and that's a good tip re the thinness allowing them to bend.

Box A is the current one being glued up (just now put the second panel together into the clamps) is modelled on a very rough and rustic one I made some years ago (just screwed together). The ends have the palings running vertically and these two panels have been assembled with Dominoes. The two long sides will be 4 palings each screwed into the end panels which means that there'll be no screwing into end grain.

That means the base screws can go into cross grain in the long sides, and just a couple of screws into the end grain of the end panels. Two things I would like to do with the base are unfortunately mutually exclusive: I would like to coat it with Water based PolyU on both sides before assembly (certainly the inside is much easier and quicker that way) but that means I can't glue the base on as well as screw/brad. Maybe I'll experiment with masking a strip around the edge to see how well that will keep the PolyU under control. (I would much prefer to PU a whole strip and the cut off bases as required but that won't be practical - only one side, which would probably cause them to go out of shape until used)

Originally Posted by Uncle Al

It is surprising how nice the timber is considering all the weathering and relatively thin material.

That's the whole point Uncle! "The prize lies beneath, hidden in full view!" It's the in between zone - between oxidised and new timber - where all the character is.

The most common finished thickness (before final use) is 12mm, followed by 11, then 10. A reasonable amount are 13, some 14, and a very few 15mm. 12mm is quite okay to work with, and two laminated together (say a 12+10) are insanely strong.

When I made a 900x900 table a few years ago I laminated the palings to a sheet of 16mm MDF. Now some of those joints have pulled apart a little, but I suspect that was more because it was sitting in direct sunlight for far too long (problems with a small house). So I'm considering a plan to do a similar thing maybe for a dining table for us, but I would quite possibly have palings on both sides of the MDF core (and quite probably perpendicular to each other).

Brett as always it's going to be "epic" and I can't wait.
I do wonder if you have seen a potential market now that Ingvar Kamprad as left the building.

Just saying that's all,he started from similar beginnings.I know flat pack is a filthy dirty disgusting word in these necks of the woods(get it lol).

Cheers Matt

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Box C.
3. Boxes - BOX C.JPG

Good Morning FenceFurniture.

Drooling over your collection of Bessey clamps and I noticed these, but did not recognise them. What are they, and what do you think of them?


Fair Winds

Graeme

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

....... So I'm considering a plan to do a similar thing maybe for a dining table for us, but I would quite possibly have palings on both sides of the MDF core (and quite probably perpendicular to each other).

Enthralled by the evolution. But would you actually need the MDF in this instance?

The MDF would add a lot of weight and risk of it turning to wheat bix if it ever gets wet.


Cheers

Graeme