Panel Divided in the Center
The weather was sunny from early this morning. However, the wind is already becoming stronger because of the typhoon expected to approach from tomorrow, and the news is warning everyone to be careful. Tomorrow marks the beginning of Silver Week in Japan, and many people will be on holiday through September 23. Unfortunately, it looks like our area may be affected by the typhoon during the first half of the holiday. At the workshop, I also prepared by putting away the things outside so they would not be blown away by the strong wind.
It looks like the rain will begin around tomorrow evening. However, the humidity dropped today, creating ideal conditions for attaching the panels, so I went ahead with the work. I had already completed some of the preparation. During the morning, I prepared the surfaces of the boxes where the panels would be attached. Then, when the humidity dropped even further in the afternoon, I attached the panels. The humidity fell into the 40% range for the first time in quite a while, so I felt like attaching the panels to the other side as well. However, that would not be possible. I need to leave the boxes overnight first; otherwise, the side attached today may begin to warp. The moisture in the glue makes the panels want to warp outward from the box. It takes about one night for them to settle. With very small boxes, such as the 2-sun or 3-sun sizes, I can attach one side in the morning and the other side in the evening. This time, however, I am working on Square boxes and 5-sun boxes, so they need more time. It is a little disappointing, but I will leave them overnight and, if the conditions allow, attach the panels to the other side tomorrow.
I mentioned that I am working on both Square and 5-sun boxes, and the 5-sun boxes have a 36-step mechanism. As shown in the photo, they have a slightly different structure from usual. The sliding key is divided into two at the center, and the two parts move to the left and right. The sliding key panel is attached here, but instead of being a single panel, it is divided into four sections. Therefore, I need to work quickly while attaching each section in the correct position. There is a time limit because the glue begins to dry, and none of the four sections must become glued to the others. As usual, I apply a small amount of glue only in the correct places, taking care to prevent any excess from squeezing out. One special point with this box is that the two sliding keys that meet in the center must fit closely together without a gap, while also not being glued to each other. If they are attached with a gap at this stage, I cannot simply move them back into place later. I would need to remove them and adjust them again. As I wrote yesterday, I attach the left and right sliding keys symmetrically and press them together so that they meet perfectly at the center. Just after the panels have been attached, even a small shock—such as picking up the box and gently placing it on the table—can move them out of position. For this reason, I need to check their positions several times before finally securing them with rubber bands or a vise. Compared with a box that has a single sliding key, it is also more difficult to align the Yosegi pattern on this version. Even so, I take care to match it as closely as possible.
Have a great weekend!
It looks like the rain will begin around tomorrow evening. However, the humidity dropped today, creating ideal conditions for attaching the panels, so I went ahead with the work. I had already completed some of the preparation. During the morning, I prepared the surfaces of the boxes where the panels would be attached. Then, when the humidity dropped even further in the afternoon, I attached the panels. The humidity fell into the 40% range for the first time in quite a while, so I felt like attaching the panels to the other side as well. However, that would not be possible. I need to leave the boxes overnight first; otherwise, the side attached today may begin to warp. The moisture in the glue makes the panels want to warp outward from the box. It takes about one night for them to settle. With very small boxes, such as the 2-sun or 3-sun sizes, I can attach one side in the morning and the other side in the evening. This time, however, I am working on Square boxes and 5-sun boxes, so they need more time. It is a little disappointing, but I will leave them overnight and, if the conditions allow, attach the panels to the other side tomorrow.
I mentioned that I am working on both Square and 5-sun boxes, and the 5-sun boxes have a 36-step mechanism. As shown in the photo, they have a slightly different structure from usual. The sliding key is divided into two at the center, and the two parts move to the left and right. The sliding key panel is attached here, but instead of being a single panel, it is divided into four sections. Therefore, I need to work quickly while attaching each section in the correct position. There is a time limit because the glue begins to dry, and none of the four sections must become glued to the others. As usual, I apply a small amount of glue only in the correct places, taking care to prevent any excess from squeezing out. One special point with this box is that the two sliding keys that meet in the center must fit closely together without a gap, while also not being glued to each other. If they are attached with a gap at this stage, I cannot simply move them back into place later. I would need to remove them and adjust them again. As I wrote yesterday, I attach the left and right sliding keys symmetrically and press them together so that they meet perfectly at the center. Just after the panels have been attached, even a small shock—such as picking up the box and gently placing it on the table—can move them out of position. For this reason, I need to check their positions several times before finally securing them with rubber bands or a vise. Compared with a box that has a single sliding key, it is also more difficult to align the Yosegi pattern on this version. Even so, I take care to match it as closely as possible.
Have a great weekend!