Thread: Ornamental Joints

Of course, you don't have to answer this, but I'm very curious. Based on your excellant command of the English language and your nice 'turn of phrase", I conclude that Taiwan is not your native land. You write like a Canuck - have I got that correct?

Originally Posted by DPB

Of course, you don't have to answer this, but I'm very curious. Based on your excellant command of the English language and your nice 'turn of phrase", I conclude that Taiwan is not your native land. You write like a Canuck - have I got that correct?

A little further south....

California: swimming pools and movie stars....

Nice extensive post labolle. My reaction is similar to yours in being somewhat gobsmacked (if not obsessed) by these joints. I noticed a couple of new pics on Yazawa's website, and one shows the dude actually handsawing the triangular profile paper thin finger joints:eek::



I think I'm converging on a possibility for the keyhole joints. The pic shows the general idea, though some details are not accurate. For example, the website photo with the open lid shows a lap joint at the top, and also, I would imagine the fingers themselves would be mitred at the interior, not bent out as they are in the pic, but that's a bit harder to draw.

A full box could be made by joining two L-shaped sub-assemblies.

My previous pic was not workable because the 'plain' finger directly underneath the keyhole would need a round slot cut in it to accomodate the keyhole. Hence the need to have the whole thing aligned along the "other" 45 degree direction.

If something like this is the method, I have no idea how you would cut these fingers.

BTW: no need to flagellate yourself about committing sacrilege: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

YEs. That is exactly how I imagine he did it too. How to cut out the fingers? THat is the mystery. Have you seen the joints of the sewing box on Master Yazawa's Original Joint Work page? Cutting out the pins for those joints seem to be even more technically challenging.

Nice work on that drawing! I would like to learn how to do that some day. WHat program did you use and how much time did it take?

I have been thinking of making simple practice box with four pieces of wood with simple miters at the edge. Then drilling a hole at 45 degrees from one face to another for a round peg to slide into. THen dissasembling the box which has not been glued yet. Glue the pegs into one edge of each board and letting it set. Finally with the protruding pegs at 45 degrees try to assemble the box. I believe the exercise could help to figure out how trick joint box his was assembled. Figuring out how he cut the joints is another matter altogether.

BUt that exercise will have to wait for me to finish the double twisted joint box I have begun first.

labolle:

I had a look at the scissors joint on the sewing box: yes, if you can do the scissors, the keyholes would be easy. In principle, I think the scissors joint could be made according to the same mitre method as my drawing. In fact, I believe that any pattern of endgrain wood either side of the mitre could, by back-projection along the line of the mitre, be theoretically made into a joint. How to practically cut the back-projected shapes is another matter.

I used CorelDraw to draw the joint. Took an hour or so I guess.

Your round-pegged mitre practice joint sounds like fun. I'd be careful drilling the holes from one face to the other though: you'll need to use pieces of scrap to backup the faces so you don't tear the fibres out of the faces when drilling a hole at 45 degrees. The Ozziejig can be configured to do a version of this joint by drilling holes in from the face of the mitre - though you'd still need backing pieces on the exit side:

I am sorry to ruin the fun, but it seems that this is not the way the joint is constructed. This method would leave visible entry holes on the inside of the joint. The photos of the inside of the box do not show these. It just seems impossible...

Originally Posted by javali

I am sorry to ruin the fun, but it seems that this is not the way the joint is constructed. This method would leave visible entry holes on the inside of the joint. The photos of the inside of the box do not show these. It just seems impossible...

WHat I proposed was meerly an exercise in the mechanics of the assembly, and was in no way meant to infer that that is the way Master Kintaro Yazawa CUT his joint. LIke you pointed out, the pics speak for themselves as far as the lack of unnecessary entry or exit holes.

Good point, javali. Back to the drawing board!

Originally Posted by zenwood

Good point, javali. Back to the drawing board!

Zen, im thinking that its basicly a finger join and the round exposed ends are paired back sharply a mill or so into the box. That way it can be assembled all four sides in one motion just with minimal moderate force.

Like all "magic" its all deception and very simple. Maybe that explaines the reluctance of the Japaneese guy wanting to come into the forum and explain his methods, as we would all look and say 'gee its so simple, why didnt i think of that" If i can get a bit of time soon ill have a go and see if i can make one.

Midge is good at lateral wood thinking, maybe he can get his brain power into gear and see what he thinks.

Look forward to the WIP shots, Lignum.

Yes, I'm sure it's obvious once you know...

I believe that using the jig would create a realistic model of how the joint slides together. Even using the jig as shown, there would be no visible holes inside the box, only at the outside edges. Though, I'm sure Master Yazawa did not use a jig like yours.

Originally Posted by zenwood

Back to the drawing board!

I don't see why your original idea wouldn't work.:confused:

My grandpa taught me something like that. imagine two boards lying on top of each other mitered and ready to be put together. both ends are lined up and are pulled away from each other locking them together at 90 degrees the key lock in it is not a true key lock. the round part you see is the bottom of a cone shape key not a barrel shape it locks into a bowl of equal shape. that way the corner can pivot together. -K-

I believ that the joint shown can be done without inlaying. Just because some people cant figure out a way doesnt mean others cant. Think outside the box ( or inside the joint )