23-Oct-2024
Today, there was a bit of rain, and the humidity was slightly higher. So, I took the opportunity to move on to the painting process. I always feel more at ease doing the base coating when the humidity is higher compared to the days when I attach the panels, because there’s less risk of the panels warping.
That’s why today, I worked on the finishing and base coating for the 2-sun cube box and the 4.2-sun box. The finishing process involves smoothing the surface of the boxes with sandpaper and then chamfering the edges, sometimes rounding them off.
As we enter the Christmas sale season, I’ve received some orders for these boxes I’m currently making from overseas shops. I’m very grateful. For these reasons, the stock on my website tends to run low during this season, so I kindly ask for your understanding. Lately, I’ve been focusing on making higher-step boxes (27-step or more) whenever possible, except for those specifically requested by shop owners. Other craftsmen often make 12-step or 14-step boxes, but sometimes these boxes need to be slightly discounted to sell well. However, this 4-sun 27-step box is something that no one else is making, and since it comes at a higher price, I believe it’s easier for shops to sell. Customers also seem to enjoy the 27-step mechanism more.
Today, I also worked on the Aruki (moving panels) for an 18-step puzzle box, aiming to finish it by early next week. A small but important detail about the 18-step mechanism is that, unlike the 21-step, 27-step, or 36-step boxes, the first panel that moves is on the bottom. If I make it the usual way, I risk making a mistake, which has happened to me a few times before😅 In the 21-step and 27-step boxes, for example, the first move slides the Kanuki (slide keys) and lowers the side panel, and by the third move, the top lid starts to open. However, with the 18-step box, the first two moves involve the opposite side panel, and the third move shifts the bottom panel, meaning the mechanism starts from the back. This makes the left and right movements of the Aruki panels reversed during assembly (it might be a bit tricky to explain). I have to remember this while making it. Thankfully, today I made no mistakes🤣
I’ll continue working on these 18-step boxes in the coming days.
