Aruki panels
It’s May starting today. This is a very pleasant season in Japan, often called a good time for outings and travel.
However, when I step into the sun, it already feels quite hot😅 Maybe it feels that way because the humidity in Japan tends to rise as we move into this time of year.
The weather is expected to turn worse starting today, so I began making the Aruki panels (moving panels) for the 3-sun 12-step puzzle boxes in the morning, before the humidity rises. There are three types of Aruki panels used in this box. The top Aruki panel can be made with regular agathis wood, but the two types of side Aruki panels must be made from softer parts of the wood. Whenever I receive new wood or organize materials, I set aside the lighter pieces so I can use them later for making Aruki panels. I was able to finish this task by the end of the morning.
I was planning to start assembling the Aruki panels for this box in the afternoon, but before that, I worked on making the frames for the next project — the 18-step Mame puzzle boxes. This time, I plan to make about 50 boxes. Some of them are for an order from an overseas shop, but a few extra will be kept as stock. About 10 of them will be the "solid hexagon yosegi" type. These Mame puzzle boxes feature three-dimensional hexagon patterns and the side panels are made with traditional yosegi, while the top and bottom are made from solid walnut wood. This design is also being made for a shop order. At first, I only made a few of these boxes as a trial, but since there was unique design, they became very popular. Now, I make them regularly.
Today, I worked on the frame parts. Since this is the 18-step puzzle box, the grooves for the Aruki panels are 2 millimeters wide (photo). As you can see, the groove width changes depending on the mechanism and the thickness of the Aruki panels. I’m still experimenting with the relationship between panel thickness and groove width, but I’ve found that when the panels are thicker, the grooves also need to be wider to ensure smooth and stable movement.
Lately, I’ve been making a lot of Mame puzzle boxes. In fact, I plan to make another batch later this month for the Hakone Market. I’ve gotten very used to working with these tiny boxes now 😄
It looks like it might rain tomorrow, but depending on the weather, I’ll continue working on some of these tasks.
However, when I step into the sun, it already feels quite hot😅 Maybe it feels that way because the humidity in Japan tends to rise as we move into this time of year.
The weather is expected to turn worse starting today, so I began making the Aruki panels (moving panels) for the 3-sun 12-step puzzle boxes in the morning, before the humidity rises. There are three types of Aruki panels used in this box. The top Aruki panel can be made with regular agathis wood, but the two types of side Aruki panels must be made from softer parts of the wood. Whenever I receive new wood or organize materials, I set aside the lighter pieces so I can use them later for making Aruki panels. I was able to finish this task by the end of the morning.
I was planning to start assembling the Aruki panels for this box in the afternoon, but before that, I worked on making the frames for the next project — the 18-step Mame puzzle boxes. This time, I plan to make about 50 boxes. Some of them are for an order from an overseas shop, but a few extra will be kept as stock. About 10 of them will be the "solid hexagon yosegi" type. These Mame puzzle boxes feature three-dimensional hexagon patterns and the side panels are made with traditional yosegi, while the top and bottom are made from solid walnut wood. This design is also being made for a shop order. At first, I only made a few of these boxes as a trial, but since there was unique design, they became very popular. Now, I make them regularly.
Today, I worked on the frame parts. Since this is the 18-step puzzle box, the grooves for the Aruki panels are 2 millimeters wide (photo). As you can see, the groove width changes depending on the mechanism and the thickness of the Aruki panels. I’m still experimenting with the relationship between panel thickness and groove width, but I’ve found that when the panels are thicker, the grooves also need to be wider to ensure smooth and stable movement.
Lately, I’ve been making a lot of Mame puzzle boxes. In fact, I plan to make another batch later this month for the Hakone Market. I’ve gotten very used to working with these tiny boxes now 😄
It looks like it might rain tomorrow, but depending on the weather, I’ll continue working on some of these tasks.
