Thread: A box for Elsa

Well done on the box Fletty.

Wheelie; it would be interesting to see how this would come together.

Hey Wheelie an epic feat like that would have to be at EPIC.
Regards

Originally Posted by A Duke

Hey Wheelie an epic feat like that would have to be at EPIC.
Regards

Originally Posted by fletty

Firstly however, the hinge dilemma...

• the wall thickness is just under 12mm which is good for 'smart hinges' BUT the heavy radius in plan view means that the knuckle sticks out beyond the rounding
• I thought about piano hinges (NOT bunnings) BUT I have designed and made the lid too shallow and,with the sliding coat of arms only being 3mm from the face, I have no depth to screw into
• I thought about external face mounted hinges and some nice brass hinges screwed to the face don't look TOO bad
• with Elsa being of undoubted viking heritage I thought of the face mounted snake hinges that I have used on replica Chinese furniture BUT, with the lid being too shallow I would have to cut the snakes off the top half !
• SO, I am left with smart hinges OR neat face mounted hinges

• I agonised for a while, mocked up some wooden hinges, sketched up face mounted viking longboat hinges (that would have required the artistry of the forum's resident silversmith to make!) but the deciding fact was that I was given 2 smart hinges by an Australian warrior specifically to use for this box. What could be more fitting for a treasure chest full of talismen to protect Elsa, girl and woman, through her life!
  I routed the hinge recesses (which by the way is SCAREY when you route the wrong way on an otherwise finished box, finish sanded it, MANY coats of UBeaut white shelac, and finished with UBeaut Traditional wax after leaving the shelac to cure for about 2 weeks ... and here it is...
  
  elsasbox52web.jpg
  
  and open....
  
  elsasbox53web.jpg
  
  and with some clues to the SECRET COMPARTMENTS.......
  
  elsasbox54web.jpg
  
  
  It was interesting to note, even though it isn't obvious in these pics, that the top is duller than the sides with the only difference being that I polished the top well before the shelac had cured.
  
  I am happy with the result. There are many to thank including underfoot, wheelinround and groeneaj and the woodworking band of brothers and sisters ( thanks skew's girl) who have supported it.
  
  fletty

Great result, Fletty. I'm sure Elsa will treasure it and it will become an heirloom, to be treasured many generations down the track.

Looks brilliant Fletty glad to have been a small part of it Elsa will treasure it for life I am sure.

Wonderful bloody wonderful, one question though, when she arrives back in Sweeden, how will customs treat it? secrets an all

Originally Posted by col's dad

Wonderful bloody wonderful, one question though, when she arrives back in Sweeden, how will customs treat it? secrets an all

I was hoping that the Australian Coat of Arms would allow it to enter as a an unsearched diplomatic parcel .....

fletty

Hi,
You never know what the security gear can come up with.
I made my step son a box for his artist gear and when he headed to Darwin the week old hard burnishing oil gave a positive reading on the gun oil sniffing machine.
Regards

pictures can also say just a few words........

elsasbox55web.jpg



elsasbox56web.jpg


the journey is done,

fletty

Thanks for including us on the journey Fletty.
Time for something a bit more elegant now

In years to come this little girl may find this thread and read this seeing photos and comments and wonder............

Nice work

I see she's putting the important keepsakes in it already.

It's great to see your handiwork being out to use.