08-Nov-2024
This morning was so cold that the Heating with the air conditioner alone wasn’t enough, so I pulled out the electric heater for the first time this winter. The clear, dry weather is nice, but the chill is definitely tough to handle!😂
Today, I’m continuing work on the triangular Japanese puzzle box. I made and attached the Aruki panels (moving panels), and also managed to attach the first side’s Yosegi panel (photo). As expected, I had to shave the Aruki a few times to get the measurements just right, since setting precise dimensions is tricky due to the angled movement.
However, as I mentioned when working on the hexagonal box, this structure generally allows the Aruki to move more smoothly. This seems to happen because the grooves for the Aruki panel are angled against the wood grain. For instance, when movement follows the wood grain, it’s smooth in one direction but often harder in the opposite direction. If the Aruki moves perpendicularly to the grain, there’s resistance in both directions, making it harder to move. Angling it results in a balanced resistance, making it easier to maneuver. However, this can vary depending on the material’s condition, so it may not always hold true 🧐
The Yosegi panel I attached first today is on the stationary side of the box. Out of the three sides, only two will actually move, and today’s panel corresponds to the “bottom” part, similar to a typical puzzle box. Each panel is secured with rubber bands after being attached and left to set overnight. As shown in the photo, I’ve attached it slightly oversized so that I can later trim the excess. After that, I’ll attach the next panel. Trimming this section is also done at an angle, so the method is a bit different from the usual approach.
For this piece, I made a slight structural change. Previously, the lid panel would overlap the other two sides. This time, however, I’m aligning it more like a standard puzzle box, where the Aruki panel (Kannuki panel) overlaps the lid panel. This modification will allow a greater range of movement for the Aruki, moving it up and down more significantly.
The next panel to be attached is for the lid part, I’ll be continuing this process in the days to come 😄
