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1st March 2015, 06:45 PM #1
Thank you Mr. Gehry - New box WIP
A few weeks ago I visited the new UTS building in Sydney, designed by Frank Gehry. Gehry is well known for his organically shaped buildings, and love 'em or hate 'em, they're more exciting than conventional rectilinear buildings. I decided to try building a box with a similar organic shape
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I drew the shape on a piece of laminate, and after cutting several hundred blocks in various timbers, started gluing them together. The ends of each block are shaped to match the adjacent ones and follow the pattern. The first row was end glued, and the subsequent rows overlapped on top.
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After doing each set of three rows, they were faired inside and out using pattern makers' rasps. Each set was run through the drum sander to ensure the top & bottom were completely flat. The top of each set was then traced and used as the pattern for the next set.
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I made four sets ...
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...then aligned and glued them between two sheets of laminate.
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The next step is do the final fairing, which I've started. Will post more pics when it's completed.
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1st March 2015 06:45 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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2nd March 2015, 12:48 PM #2
That is thinking outside the box!
And my head I'd be a scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.
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2nd March 2015, 03:01 PM #3
Alex.....I'm looking forward to your Möbius Strip box
Just take the Gehry and add a twist; I mean, how hard can it be?
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3rd March 2015, 04:38 PM #4
The fairing wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be. A lot of it could be started with pattern makers rasps, which leave a reasonably smooth finish. By smooth, I mean it doesn't have big grooves in it. However, some parts, especially on the inside, could only be reached by riffler rasps. These have to be used lightly, or the teeth will leave grooves that will be difficult to remove.
After the rasps, I smoothed the surfaces using a kidney-shaped scraper. Many people have never used a scraper, but for my money they are one of the most useful tools around.
After scraping, the inside and outside were sanded. I started on the inside with 80 grit, which was really the last part of the fairing, to remove any remaining rough or high spots. I then sanded the inside using medium and fine flapper wheels. this was much easier than hand sanding the inside with 120 & 240 grit. From 240 to 800 grit, I hand sanded inside & out, using a firm foam rubber sanding block.
I then routed rebates for the lid and bottom, using a bearing-guided cutter (CMT 835-501-11) , gave everything a coat of shellac and lightly sanded with 800 grit again.
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I cut a 5mm bottom panel from southern silky oak, to the shape traced from the carcass. This was also sanded, shellacked and re-sanded.
To hold the bottom panel in place, I glued up a single row of blocks to fit the base of the carcass. This was carefully put through the drum sander, and the inside was smoothed, before gluing it to the carcass.
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When the glue is dry, I'll smooth and fair the bottom to the sides. Next, I'll have to make a lid, but I haven't come up with a final design yet. I'll be away for a couple of days, so perhaps I'll be inspired while I'm away.
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21st October 2016, 05:34 PM #5
Complete 2.jpgCpmplete 10.jpgComplete 1.jpgCompleter 4.jpgComplete 12.jpgWell, it's been a while since I posted anything about this box, because I couldn't work out the best way to treat the lid. Fortunately, when I was having a bit of a clean out, I came across a laminated block that I'd used when I made some heels for a shoemaker.
A few scratches with a pencil and I came up with this idea.
I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea - I'm not even sure if it's mine, yet - but here it is, and I think I'm happy.
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21st October 2016, 09:05 PM #6
Thanks for posting this Alex....As you said, it may not be everyone's cup of tea but for me, I always like to see something different from the usual rectangular style.This is where you test the boundaries and you certainly have with this box. As always inspirational work.
And my head I'd be a scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.
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22nd October 2016, 09:40 AM #7
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22nd October 2016, 11:42 AM #8Member
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Fascinating design. Although for some reason it makes me want to store lego in it.
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22nd October 2016, 04:16 PM #9GOLD MEMBER
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I can appreciate the amount of time and skill to make this.
But I am not a lover of it.
The same for me with the cubism art.
Thanks however for your photos and wip details.
It does make me go hmmm.
So that is good.
Thanks
Lyle.
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23rd October 2016, 05:01 PM #10
Like Lyle, I'm not a fan of Frank Gehry's work.
To me it's too much like "let's see if I can design a facade that the engineers can't build so that I get to laugh at them"
Which in no way is to detract from Alex's skill, especially in the way he arranged the different coloured blocksregards from Alberta, Canada
ian
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28th October 2016, 06:30 AM #11
Amazing job, Alex. I can't help thinking about all the work and precision in joining all those blocks at random angles.
It's not the most beautiful box in the world but then it's not meant to be. It challenges the brain because it's not what a box is supposed to look like.
I'd love to see and hear people's reactions when seeing it on display. Great work.
PeterThe time we enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
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28th October 2016, 08:04 AM #12
Thanks Peter, it's for an exhibition in February.
I made it because I saw the UTS building, which divided opinion, but which I really liked. I wondered how a wonky box would look, so made the carcass, but then it took a long while to come up with the lid. I want people to argue about it.
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28th October 2016, 08:09 AM #13
no argument
I really appreciate the work and craftmanship that went into the box , a masterful piece of work - but it's not me
on the other hand I think the UTS building is rather interesting
and I did wonder whether you may have been block deprived as a child?
btw do you have an item or two at the soon to open Lane Cove showing?regards
Nick
veni, vidi, tornavi
Without wood it's just ...
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28th October 2016, 01:50 PM #14