Two different Aruki panels
The forecast today was for rain, but it didn’t fall much, so I was able to glue the remaining side of the 4.2-sun box without any problems. As you can see in the photo, this time I made three different design types. The numbers are different, but I should have stock of all of them, so I expect to introduce them here within this month.
After that, I started working on the frame for the next project, the 4-sun 27-steps puzzle box. Since I also had to go out for a while today, I only made the frame parts, and the assembly will probably be tomorrow. I also prepared the material for the Aruki panels (moving panels). Each box requires two types of Aruki panels (for the sides and for the top/bottom). When preparing them, I always make the side Aruki panels before building the frame.
This is because of a structural reason: the top and bottom Aruki panels can be made to match previously prepared samples (for example, for a 27-steps box, an 8.5 mm panel), but the side Aruki panels must be made to fit the actual boards being used. I hope I can show this in more detail someday, but the top and bottom Aruki panels are not attached exactly flush with the upper edge of the frame—they stick out slightly. The side Aruki panels, however, must be made to fit exactly to the corners of the frame. So while the dimensions are basically the same, even a slight misalignment would cause problems. That’s why I always make them according to the actual boards I will use. At this stage the Aruki panels themselves aren’t made yet (they will be made to fit the assembled frame), but I make them (frame) to match the properly sized boards that have already been thinned down to the required thickness.
Another reason why I prepare the side Aruki panels first is that the top and bottom Aruki panels are not simply cut to a fixed width and used as they are. Instead, I add a little extra step so that the wood grain crosses. This is because the Aruki of a puzzle box has the grain running across the moving direction, which tends to make the width larger. As a result, the panels are more likely to warp. For boxes of 4-sun or larger, some special processing is needed to reduce this warping. Since that extra step takes additional work, the top and bottom Aruki panels cannot be prepared at the same time as the side Aruki panels...That is another reason 😊
After that, I started working on the frame for the next project, the 4-sun 27-steps puzzle box. Since I also had to go out for a while today, I only made the frame parts, and the assembly will probably be tomorrow. I also prepared the material for the Aruki panels (moving panels). Each box requires two types of Aruki panels (for the sides and for the top/bottom). When preparing them, I always make the side Aruki panels before building the frame.
This is because of a structural reason: the top and bottom Aruki panels can be made to match previously prepared samples (for example, for a 27-steps box, an 8.5 mm panel), but the side Aruki panels must be made to fit the actual boards being used. I hope I can show this in more detail someday, but the top and bottom Aruki panels are not attached exactly flush with the upper edge of the frame—they stick out slightly. The side Aruki panels, however, must be made to fit exactly to the corners of the frame. So while the dimensions are basically the same, even a slight misalignment would cause problems. That’s why I always make them according to the actual boards I will use. At this stage the Aruki panels themselves aren’t made yet (they will be made to fit the assembled frame), but I make them (frame) to match the properly sized boards that have already been thinned down to the required thickness.
Another reason why I prepare the side Aruki panels first is that the top and bottom Aruki panels are not simply cut to a fixed width and used as they are. Instead, I add a little extra step so that the wood grain crosses. This is because the Aruki of a puzzle box has the grain running across the moving direction, which tends to make the width larger. As a result, the panels are more likely to warp. For boxes of 4-sun or larger, some special processing is needed to reduce this warping. Since that extra step takes additional work, the top and bottom Aruki panels cannot be prepared at the same time as the side Aruki panels...That is another reason 😊
