Thread: Never doing one Like this again!

Originally Posted by Chumley

Hi Chipman,
Nice box, especially the lid. Presume you did some final sanding after putting the lid together to get it smooth - how did you handle the grain going in different directions?
Cheers,
Adam

This concerned me at first to but in the end was easier than I thought. You certainly do have to sand it flat. I also found I had to let it settle down for a few weeks after the inital glue up/

Flatening the top
Hand sanding with sand paper glued to a strip of mdf (100 x 700) first with 80 then 120 grit Putting a handles on it helps

Smoothing Hand sanding with a sanding float eg the red "gyprock" type

I still had some cross-grain sanding marks so I bought an orbital sander (a oversize Bosch mouse sander) I looked for one with the highest oscillation rate as they don't move so much. and used the finest grit available and this did an excellent job.

Final finish was by hand with 400 grit on each tile acording to grain (I dont think that this was really necessary but I didn't want to take any chances)

In the final finish their were no visible swirl marks or cross-grain scratches. The only slight difference I noticed was that the pine took up a little more stain colour but it was very even all over.

I have never been a fan of orbital sanders but I was pleasantly suprised.

Hope this answers your question

Chipman

Wonderful boxin every respect.

Originally Posted by Chipman

Hope this answers your question

Sure does.
Thanks,
Adam

Congratulations! The box is just outsdanding.

I particulary like to see and build chests, boxes, trunks.. and yours is lovely.

Someday I may borrow your idea for the top, looks very challenging

Best!
Mariano

Originally Posted by Chipman

My First Blanket Box


I put my physics and maths to work (Which I teach)

You teach work ????
But seriously
it is a very nice box. Must copy as swmbo has put in an order for almost exactly that for a toybox for our grandson. I also just finished a rockinghorse.And I'm retiring soon (10yrs) and I teach(but not work., that's a foreign language these days)
Keep us posted with your projects as we all seem to love your work. (you must teach it, you seem very good at it.)

Originally Posted by Caliban

You teach work ????
But seriously
it is a very nice box. Must copy as swmbo has put in an order for almost exactly that for a toybox for our grandson. I also just finished a rockinghorse.And I'm retiring soon (10yrs) and I teach(but not work., that's a foreign language these days)
Keep us posted with your projects as we all seem to love your work. (you must teach it, you seem very good at it.)

Ah.. to Teach but not work... bears out the old saying ....
Find a job you like and you'll never work a day in your life...!
You inspire me.
Thanks Jimmy.
Congratulations Chipman - that is one great blanket box. The gas struts are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
SG

Hi Chipman,

As everyone else has said,... Blooming fantastic job ther mate. Really like the taylored struts. Great stuff.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Pops

Originally Posted by Caliban

You teach work ????
But seriously
it is a very nice box. Must copy as swmbo has put in an order for almost exactly that for a toybox for our grandson. I also just finished a rockinghorse.And I'm retiring soon (10yrs) and I teach(but not work., that's a foreign language these days)
Keep us posted with your projects as we all seem to love your work. (you must teach it, you seem very good at it.)

Thanks to you and everyone else for your kind words and comments. As for work well I have been teaching for 33 years and still look forward to doing it for another 8 years or so! But this is a rather special year for me as I have finally been given the chance to teach some woodwork (a year 9 class) which is a nice change from the sciences and maths but some would argue that it is all physics anyway! That is what I meant in my original comment. I was actually using physics and maths in my craft work rather than just teaching it.


TOYBOX CAUTION!

As we all value our little (and big) kids, please be very careful when building toy boxes (or blanket boxes where there are small kids around)

1. The lid must be able to stop in any position (the slow closers are good but do not fully meet current standards) A lightweight lid is a good idea too. Maybe some forum members know where to get other types of closers apart from the gas lifts. (I have seen a centrally mounted spring type on a box in Target) But it all has to match the weight and geometry of the lid whatever you use. Some people use a simple lid without hinges that just sits on top.

2. Ventilation. There should be a cutout across the front of the box so that when the lid is closed, a child could at least get their hand through the gap between the lid and box.

3. Don't put locks or catches on the lid as sure as anything the kids are likely to find the key or lock each other in the box (NOT GOOD!)

I would strongly recommend a trip to a baby/kids store and have a look/measure up of a box that meets Australian Standards.

(note my box had feet so was up off the floor, the plan was to put vents through the bottom using vented pvc tubes in the back two corners as an alternative as most don't want big holes in a decorative blanket box)

For those who are interested, the veneer motif was put in last. A router was used to cut a very shallow pocket for it in the lid. I was going to put a dark pin stripe or banding around the tiles but had no suitable wood to do it with.

I hope you all keep enjoying your craft and it is really good to get to see what the rest of the woodies are doing out there on this forum!

Chipman

Congratulations on a great effort with terrific results.

Top job Chippy

HH.