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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    11

    Default thinking outside the box

    Hi All,
    I have been box making about 2 years now and having some success with making pool cue cases. I have more designs in my head then I will ever have time to build! I have had many questions about tools, joints, and finishes. And have found most of my answers here so I decided to join your group!
    I have a design for a 10 sided cue case (aka a tube) and I’m tossing around the idea of scrapping the hinged lid and going with an end that you can open. That’s where the fun begins!! I can’t do the “cut a dry” hinge and latch from the hardware store. I always have to think outside the box! pun intended.
    I have an idea for a knob in the center of the “cap” that you would turn to unlatch tabs to gain access. But I can’t stop there!!
    I want to have leavers that push and pull when you rotate the knob to either extend or retract 5 tabs around this shape. I would precut a slot in the 10 pieces that make up the body of the case for the tabs to slide into.
    But I can’t stop there!! I want this to be exposed so when you turn the knob you see all these part moving. This would not be a case you could lock but all the cases I have made so far are as much art as functional.
    I have been looking all over the web to see if I could find something like this and have only had limites success. Am I asking for failure in trying this??

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 1999
    Location
    Westleigh, Sydney
    Age
    77
    Posts
    9,542

    Default

    Welcome, Bill.
    I seem to remember a similar sort of lid on a hexagonal box in a Fine Woodwork magazine a few years ago. If I come across it I'll post details here, but I'm a bit busy now, so it may not be for a while. See if you can have a look at their index. I think it would have been at least 5 years ago.
    Visit my website
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  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,277

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BillFlip View Post
    Hi All,
    I have been box making about 2 years now and having some success with making pool cue cases.

    No pics then it didn't happen forum rules sorry!


    As for "asking for failure" it totally depends on your ability but I say go for it!
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Adelaide - outer south
    Age
    67
    Posts
    935

    Default

    Welcome from me too Bill. I can't picture what you are describing but it sounds like a puzzle box type mechanism. There was a thread on here that I only read recently that contained a link to someone who had lots of puzzle box designs. Looking through there might give you some help.

    Don't worry about failing - even if you don't end up with what you wanted you'll still learn something.

    ....and we realy would like to see some photos of your previous boxes.

    Edit: This is the puzzle box site:
    Homepage of homemadepuzzles
    Cheers, Bob the labrat

    Measure once and.... the phone rings!

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Bongaree, Queensland
    Age
    84
    Posts
    162

    Default

    Just go and do it, as they say, nothing ventured nothing gained. No such thing as a failure just an experience that we learn from. Good luck with your venture. Brian.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    11

    Default boxes I have built

    I will have to take some more pictures. It's not easy trying to show detail when taking a picture of a 3' box! I built 6 cases so far and 2 are sold. I am in the middle of a 2-sided case (to hold 2 cues) and was just commisioned to build a case for 1 butt and 2 shafts. This will be very much like the first case I had built for myself out of solid walnut. It looks great but weighs a ton! I will see if I have pictures of that as well. Thank you all for your input and encouragement!

    I have attached a few pictures (I think) of the cases I have made. I will have to keep looking for my walnut case. It's most likely still in my phone but I did find my sketch of the idea I had for the end of my 10 sided case! Please note I don't know what I'm doing and I am sure I will have to change the pivot points on some of these.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    11

    Default

    My replies are not showing up... I'm guessing because I attached a bunch of photos and big brother needs to review them first. I hope you like what I have come up with and the cases I have made so far.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Ormeau, Gold Coast, Australia
    Posts
    2,491

    Default

    Welcome aboard Bill, your cue cases look very cool and may your journey with us be a pleasant one.
    Regards Rumnut.

    SimplyWoodwork
    Qld. Australia.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Jimboomba. Qld
    Posts
    437

    Default

    Just an idea which I have used for secret compartments and tricky locking mechanisms in Boxes is Rare Earth Magnets hidden under the surface.
    Depending how deep there are buried and what strength you use either have 2 attracting each other or 1 with a metal plate opposite.

    I would be inclined to secrete a pair on each surface.

    It fun play around and see which works best.

    Love the pics of the boxes already made.

    Cheers

    Steve

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,277

    Default

    Boxes look good. What is the inside like? Do you use felt, flocking, leather etc??
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Adelaide - outer south
    Age
    67
    Posts
    935

    Default

    Some nice work there Bill. I can see what you are trying to do with the multi side box now. I'm not sure if those particular linkages will work as shown but if you get the pivot points worked out it should be a goer.
    Cheers, Bob the labrat

    Measure once and.... the phone rings!

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    423

    Default

    YouTube has some nice timber puzzles
    jail cell secret lock puzzle box could adapt nicely,

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    11

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Townsville, Nth Qld
    Posts
    4,236

    Default

    Still very nice, even after 5 years abscence. Can you please tell us how you did the design on the lid? LOoks great
    regards,

    Dengy

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Adelaide - outer south
    Age
    67
    Posts
    935

    Default

    Looks good Bill, I especially like the 8 ball themed surface decoration.

    Are the fittings (handle, hinges, locks) readily available on the net or do you source them locally?

    Did you ever manage to make the box with the 5 tab locking system?
    Cheers, Bob the labrat

    Measure once and.... the phone rings!

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