4-sun 14-steps
Today, we finally had some beautiful weather after a while. But it's getting quite hot outside, so I don’t really feel like going out..haha😅 Instead, I’m planning to focus on making puzzle boxes indoors!
I’m just about to finish a series of tiny boxes, and from today, I’ve started working on my next project: a 4-sun 14-steps puzzle box. I’ve received orders for several design types from a few different shops, so I’ll be making them all together. That said, the total number is around 35, so I think the production will go smoothly.
Usually, I add some of my own stock items and make about 50 boxes in total, but this time I plan to make only the ordered types. I’m considering reducing the production of this 4-sun 14-steps box for a while. Instead, I’m planning to add other types like the smallest 12-steps (currently in the finishing stage) to my production list. If I add too many different kinds, it gets hard to manage everything by myself, so I’ve decided to scale back a little on the more common types.
Today, I prepared the materials and worked on making and assembling the box frames. Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I last made a 14-steps box. This type is actually quite tricky to make. Many other craftsmen also produce this style, so it’s difficult for me to compete in terms of speed and cost. In Japan, this type of box is highly competitive.
This time, I’m not only making the traditional yosegi design but also versions with Zebrawood and Rosewood on the top and bottom panels. I’ve also made a small improvement to the structure by making the side panels of the mechanism 0.5 mm thicker. As a result, the interior space is about 1 mm smaller, but even that small change should make the box noticeably sturdier.
Since it's dry and sunny today, I’ve decided to pause the finishing work on the Mame 18-step puzzle boxes. I'm hoping to resume that work on a slightly more humid day, maybe tomorrow or later.
I’m just about to finish a series of tiny boxes, and from today, I’ve started working on my next project: a 4-sun 14-steps puzzle box. I’ve received orders for several design types from a few different shops, so I’ll be making them all together. That said, the total number is around 35, so I think the production will go smoothly.
Usually, I add some of my own stock items and make about 50 boxes in total, but this time I plan to make only the ordered types. I’m considering reducing the production of this 4-sun 14-steps box for a while. Instead, I’m planning to add other types like the smallest 12-steps (currently in the finishing stage) to my production list. If I add too many different kinds, it gets hard to manage everything by myself, so I’ve decided to scale back a little on the more common types.
Today, I prepared the materials and worked on making and assembling the box frames. Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I last made a 14-steps box. This type is actually quite tricky to make. Many other craftsmen also produce this style, so it’s difficult for me to compete in terms of speed and cost. In Japan, this type of box is highly competitive.
This time, I’m not only making the traditional yosegi design but also versions with Zebrawood and Rosewood on the top and bottom panels. I’ve also made a small improvement to the structure by making the side panels of the mechanism 0.5 mm thicker. As a result, the interior space is about 1 mm smaller, but even that small change should make the box noticeably sturdier.
Since it's dry and sunny today, I’ve decided to pause the finishing work on the Mame 18-step puzzle boxes. I'm hoping to resume that work on a slightly more humid day, maybe tomorrow or later.
