A mistake while making the drawer
It was cloudy again from the morning today, and it did not feel as warm as the weather forecast had said. The forecast said it would feel like spring, but perhaps the temperature we actually feel is different. Tomorrow marks the halfway point of February. As usual, I feel a little rushed with my work, but recently I have come to think that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Of course, I am not completely exhausted, but when I look at other maker around me, I realize that continuing to make things every day is the style I have chosen for myself, and the way I like to live.
Today, I mainly continued working on the 5-sun puzzle box with drawers, but in between I also moved forward with the preparation for the 4-sun puzzle boxes. For the 5-sun box, I worked on making the drawers. I had already made the frame parts earlier, but this time the lid panels took a little more time to complete.
This time, I also made the lid using plywood, and I attached a walnut wood sheet on the surface. However, instead of placing the wood grain in the usual vertical direction, I tried making it in the horizontal direction. If the lid were made from solid wood, some people might feel that this way of using the grain looks strange. But since the base is plywood, even though the surface sheet is natural wood, it is not affected by warping. However, when I processed the lid panel to add the small stepped projection that allows it to slide and fit into the drawer—something like the “foot” of an Aruki panel—the sheet peeled off in a jagged way. I had a feeling this might happen, as most people would expect, but I did not think it would turn out this badly. The sheet was glued firmly, and I used very sharp tools. Maybe sometimes it works without problems, but perhaps the condition of the walnut grain or the thickness of the sheet affects the result. So, although not all of them, I remade the lids with the grain running in the usual vertical direction instead of horizontal. Fortunately, I still had enough materials left.
This time, I was thinking about applying a finish to the entire drawer. However, because of the raised handle and other small projections, I found that it is quite difficult to apply only a light finish. If the coating is not applied properly, it becomes uneven. So in the end, as usual, I applied a light finish only to the top surface of the lid, which is the part that is touched the most. When opening the lid, you press down on that area, so some force is applied. If this action is repeated many times, the top surface can become dirty more easily. Even a thin finish is very effective in protecting it.
Even with a box that I have made many times, when I change the method even a little, things suddenly stop working well. It makes me realize that the way I usually do it was created through many years of trial and error, and that it is the best method for now. In a way, it feels similar to the way of life I mentioned above 😊
I hope you have a nice weekend!
Today, I mainly continued working on the 5-sun puzzle box with drawers, but in between I also moved forward with the preparation for the 4-sun puzzle boxes. For the 5-sun box, I worked on making the drawers. I had already made the frame parts earlier, but this time the lid panels took a little more time to complete.
This time, I also made the lid using plywood, and I attached a walnut wood sheet on the surface. However, instead of placing the wood grain in the usual vertical direction, I tried making it in the horizontal direction. If the lid were made from solid wood, some people might feel that this way of using the grain looks strange. But since the base is plywood, even though the surface sheet is natural wood, it is not affected by warping. However, when I processed the lid panel to add the small stepped projection that allows it to slide and fit into the drawer—something like the “foot” of an Aruki panel—the sheet peeled off in a jagged way. I had a feeling this might happen, as most people would expect, but I did not think it would turn out this badly. The sheet was glued firmly, and I used very sharp tools. Maybe sometimes it works without problems, but perhaps the condition of the walnut grain or the thickness of the sheet affects the result. So, although not all of them, I remade the lids with the grain running in the usual vertical direction instead of horizontal. Fortunately, I still had enough materials left.
This time, I was thinking about applying a finish to the entire drawer. However, because of the raised handle and other small projections, I found that it is quite difficult to apply only a light finish. If the coating is not applied properly, it becomes uneven. So in the end, as usual, I applied a light finish only to the top surface of the lid, which is the part that is touched the most. When opening the lid, you press down on that area, so some force is applied. If this action is repeated many times, the top surface can become dirty more easily. Even a thin finish is very effective in protecting it.
Even with a box that I have made many times, when I change the method even a little, things suddenly stop working well. It makes me realize that the way I usually do it was created through many years of trial and error, and that it is the best method for now. In a way, it feels similar to the way of life I mentioned above 😊
I hope you have a nice weekend!