Making the frame parts
A new week has started today. The rain that lasted until yesterday has stopped, and the weather is sunny.
Today, I worked on attaching the Yosegi sheet and making the structural parts for the "knock box." The structural part involves the first step of the process: creating and assembling the frame panels. This box is basically similar in construction to a 4-step puzzle box. It does not have small internal parts, and the mechanism operates only with the Aruki panels.
However, in addition to the usual movement of a 4-step puzzle box, I also need to incorporate the structure for the knock-to-open mechanism. Therefore, I create additional grooves in the bottom of the box and attach internal panels there. As a result, if you look closely, the frame panels are slightly more complex than those of a standard 4-move mechanism.
Today, I am also working on the assembly. The assembly process is almost the same as that of a standard 4-sun size puzzle box. Actually, when I made this box about 15 years ago, I designed it slightly longer than a typical 4-sun size box. This time, I plan to make it almost the same size as a 4-sun puzzle box. However, to make it more durable than before, I have made some structural parts thicker. Specifically, I have increased the thickness of the side panels of the frame and the axle panels.
Today, I also attached the Yosegi-sheet to the outer panels of this box. The top panel features traditional Yosegi, while the side panels have a checkered Yosegi (ichimastu) pattern. For the bottom panel, I plan to use solid Agathis wood. As I mentioned last week, the ichimatsu Yosegi on the side panels is not the usual diagonally arranged pattern that I often make. Instead, it is arranged vertically. This design is more in line with traditional Japanese patterns, as checkered patterns were originally meant to be placed vertically. Additionally, I chose to use only two colors for the checkered pattern. Although it may look simple, this approach might help highlight the traditional Yosegi on the top panel even more.
The production of the mechanism parts will continue from here. Since it has been a long time since I last made a box with this kind of structure, I will need to experiment and go through some trial and error along the way. As I progress, I will carefully observe how the mechanism moves, so the process may take more time than usual.
I will likely continue this work tomorrow as well.
Today, I worked on attaching the Yosegi sheet and making the structural parts for the "knock box." The structural part involves the first step of the process: creating and assembling the frame panels. This box is basically similar in construction to a 4-step puzzle box. It does not have small internal parts, and the mechanism operates only with the Aruki panels.
However, in addition to the usual movement of a 4-step puzzle box, I also need to incorporate the structure for the knock-to-open mechanism. Therefore, I create additional grooves in the bottom of the box and attach internal panels there. As a result, if you look closely, the frame panels are slightly more complex than those of a standard 4-move mechanism.
Today, I am also working on the assembly. The assembly process is almost the same as that of a standard 4-sun size puzzle box. Actually, when I made this box about 15 years ago, I designed it slightly longer than a typical 4-sun size box. This time, I plan to make it almost the same size as a 4-sun puzzle box. However, to make it more durable than before, I have made some structural parts thicker. Specifically, I have increased the thickness of the side panels of the frame and the axle panels.
Today, I also attached the Yosegi-sheet to the outer panels of this box. The top panel features traditional Yosegi, while the side panels have a checkered Yosegi (ichimastu) pattern. For the bottom panel, I plan to use solid Agathis wood. As I mentioned last week, the ichimatsu Yosegi on the side panels is not the usual diagonally arranged pattern that I often make. Instead, it is arranged vertically. This design is more in line with traditional Japanese patterns, as checkered patterns were originally meant to be placed vertically. Additionally, I chose to use only two colors for the checkered pattern. Although it may look simple, this approach might help highlight the traditional Yosegi on the top panel even more.
The production of the mechanism parts will continue from here. Since it has been a long time since I last made a box with this kind of structure, I will need to experiment and go through some trial and error along the way. As I progress, I will carefully observe how the mechanism moves, so the process may take more time than usual.
I will likely continue this work tomorrow as well.
