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Thread: thinking outside the box
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16th October 2013, 08:31 AM #1Novice
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- Oct 2013
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- United States
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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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16th October 2013, 12:24 PM #2
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.
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16th October 2013, 06:39 PM #3
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16th October 2013, 08:29 PM #4
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 homemadepuzzlesCheers, Bob the labrat
Measure once and.... the phone rings!
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16th October 2013, 09:18 PM #5Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
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- Bongaree, Queensland
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- 85
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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.
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17th October 2013, 12:54 AM #6Novice
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- Oct 2013
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- United States
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- 11
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.
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17th October 2013, 03:26 AM #7Novice
- Join Date
- Oct 2013
- Location
- United States
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- 11
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.
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17th October 2013, 08:10 AM #8
Welcome aboard Bill, your cue cases look very cool and may your journey with us be a pleasant one.
Regards Rumnut.
SimplyWoodwork
Qld. Australia.
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17th October 2013, 09:23 AM #9
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
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17th October 2013, 06:54 PM #10
Boxes look good. What is the inside like? Do you use felt, flocking, leather etc??
…..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands
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17th October 2013, 08:41 PM #11
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!
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17th October 2013, 09:58 PM #12Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Location
- Geelong
- Posts
- 414
YouTube has some nice timber puzzles
jail cell secret lock puzzle box could adapt nicely,
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23rd June 2018, 09:00 AM #13Novice
- Join Date
- Oct 2013
- Location
- United States
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- 11
I don't know if anyone will see this but I'm back!!!20150830_134811.jpg12019871_765127660299826_5415905295032300363_n.jpg20150830_134835.jpg
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24th June 2018, 05:23 PM #14GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Mar 2008
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- Townsville, Nth Qld
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- 3,342
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
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24th June 2018, 07:07 PM #15
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!