19-Nov-2024
Today is very cold, and according to the weather forecast, it’s as chilly as it usually is around the end of the year. No wonder I’ve been feeling stiff and slow since this morning 😂
Woodworking workshops in Japan are often quite cold, so productivity tends to drop during winter. Additionally, woodworking machines, such as saws, create a draft at the front when they’re running, making it feel even colder.
I started making the 3-sun cube 14-step Japanese puzzle boxes. I prepared the materials and worked on building the frame portion (photo). It’s been a while since I last made this box, and while the size is almost the same as before, I carefully reviewed the internal structure step by step during the process.
Although it’s called a 3-sun cube, I previously used the internal structure of a 4-sun box for this design. Starting this time, I decided to use parts sized for a 5-sun 14-step (or 12-step) box. Specifically, the dimensions for the top and bottom will now match those of the 5-sun parts, while the left and right sides will remain the same as those for a 4-sun box. It’s a bit complicated to explain (laughs), but since this is a cube and the top and bottom sections are longer, I felt the 4-sun parts were slightly lacking in strength. Therefore, I switched to using the 5-sun size.
For reference, the height of the frame panel in this box is 79 mm, which is actually taller than the 5-sun size (where the frame panel height is 60 mm).
I also had to remake the jigs used for assembling these parts. The ones I made a while ago had slightly different dimensions compared to this project. Since I expect to make this box more frequently in the future (having enough ichimatsu Yosegi), I took the time to prepare the jigs properly this time.
I also placed an order for outer boxes (papered gift boxes) to hold the puzzle boxes. This time, I ordered boxes for the Mame (tiny) puzzle boxes and the 4-sun boxes. I always order in bulk, usually about 200 to 300 pieces per type.
In the past, I didn’t use these outer boxes for the Mame puzzle boxes because they’re so small that I assumed no manufacturer would be able to produce boxes for them. However, when I asked the paper box manufacturer, they said it wouldn’t be a problem at all. I was impressed—they’re true professionals!😊
