06-Sep-2024
Today, I am making the Aruki (moving panels) for the 4-sun 27-step Himitsubako, and tomorrow I plan to attach it to the frame of box. Once this attachment is complete, it will mark the halfway point in the production process. After this, I can roughly estimate how many more days it will take to complete the puzzle box. Once the internal structure of the Himitsubako is finished, the next step is to attach the surrounding panels, either yosegi panels or solid wood panels, to this structure.
So at this stage of production, I have several boxes that are on hold (photo). These include the 3-sun 12-step and the 2-sun cube 7-step mechanism. Of course, they weren’t just made randomly; these are ordered by overseas shops (though some are for myself). These structures are waiting for the side panels to be attached. When storing them like this, I have to be very careful about temperature and humidity control. Right now, these structures are sealed in plastic boxes, isolated from outside air, with desiccants inside to prevent humidity from rising. For example, when I check sometimes, even if the room humidity rises to around 70% on a rainy day, the humidity inside the boxes stays at around 50%. Besides the boxes shown in the photo, I also have the 12-step box with square design in storage, which I plan to work on next. The structure for that box is already complete, and some of the boxes have already been finished and shipped. The remaining ones will be completed for another shop.
The production of the axis for this 27-move Himitsubako has been a bit tough this time because I had to make a lot of them😂, around 50qty. While this might not seem like much for other craftsmen, it was a bit challenging for me. For the Hakone market, I usually make around 50 boxes at a time. If it’s the Mame puzzle box, I might make close to 100. One dealer buys them all. So, when I make the axis for the 27-step Himitsubako, I usually make the zigzag steps part to the Aruki board in advance. I do this preparation on a separate day and then complete the Aruki on another day. This time, too, I made the zigzag part a few days ago (red mark in the photo).
Additionally, today I am working on the finishing coat for the 4-sun cube box and the 6-sun 54-step box. They will be completed soon, so I think I’ll be able to show them to you shortly.
