4 sun puzzle boxes
Over the past two days, I've been working on paneling for 4-sun 18-step, 12-step, and 14-step Japanese puzzle boxes currently in production. Yesterday, I attached the side panels. For the 18-step puzzle box, I'm using a checkered-patterned (ichimatsu) sheet, while the 12-step and 14-step boxes are fitted with solid walnut wood panels.
Attaching these side panels requires considerable force. When glue is applied, the wood tends to warp, so I use woodworking tools such as clamps to apply pressure, holding it in place for over a day to ensure a firm attachment. Solid materials, like the walnut I'm using this time, have a strong tendency to warp, so a secure hold is essential. Choosing wood with grain patterns that resist warping is also important in the material selection process.
Today, I attached the final panel, creating and securing one side of the Ariki panel (moving panel). I’ll leave it overnight and attach the opposite side tomorrow. This time, each panel is a three-part “kannuki (slide keys)” panel, so I can only attach one side at a time. The kannuki panels I made have the design shown in the photos.
When working with walnut kannuki panels, I carefully select the materials. To divide a single board into three, I use a saw with a 1.3mm blade, but if the wood grain isn’t straight, the boards can warp. To prevent this, I choose pieces of walnut wood with straighter, softer grain whenever possible. In comparison, agathis with Yosegi is softer and easier to work with, as the yosegi-sheet helps resist warping. Originally, yosegi was designed to have this effect, ensuring stability in the panels.
I’m a bit concerned about the upcoming days, as the weather is expected to be poor with higher humidity levels. It’s best to have a dry day for attaching these final panels, so I’ll have to keep an eye on the conditions.
Attaching these side panels requires considerable force. When glue is applied, the wood tends to warp, so I use woodworking tools such as clamps to apply pressure, holding it in place for over a day to ensure a firm attachment. Solid materials, like the walnut I'm using this time, have a strong tendency to warp, so a secure hold is essential. Choosing wood with grain patterns that resist warping is also important in the material selection process.
Today, I attached the final panel, creating and securing one side of the Ariki panel (moving panel). I’ll leave it overnight and attach the opposite side tomorrow. This time, each panel is a three-part “kannuki (slide keys)” panel, so I can only attach one side at a time. The kannuki panels I made have the design shown in the photos.
When working with walnut kannuki panels, I carefully select the materials. To divide a single board into three, I use a saw with a 1.3mm blade, but if the wood grain isn’t straight, the boards can warp. To prevent this, I choose pieces of walnut wood with straighter, softer grain whenever possible. In comparison, agathis with Yosegi is softer and easier to work with, as the yosegi-sheet helps resist warping. Originally, yosegi was designed to have this effect, ensuring stability in the panels.
I’m a bit concerned about the upcoming days, as the weather is expected to be poor with higher humidity levels. It’s best to have a dry day for attaching these final panels, so I’ll have to keep an eye on the conditions.
