Creative Woodworks & crafts 2005-08, страница 49

OPTION by Vv'es Dernarest TIP: consider using laminate wood for the four dragons

Dirk's box is phenomenal, but it is fragile, and unForlunately. it arrived ct our office in several pieces. We re-constructed it for the photograph, but it broke again. Because safely packing and shipping this project proved difficult, we decided, with Dirk's input, to modify the bill of materials somewhat by suggesting the use of 1 /2"-thick laminate for the dragon bodies. This change helps creote a more structurally sound project, and here we provide directions for making your own laminate or for purchasing a piece.

The circicd areas are the loco I ions of Ihe breaks. I don't think there was u way to pack the project that would hove prevented then. Any lateral shifting or Force applied to the box would have resulted in at least one break, regardless of packing precautions. (Ain't hindsight grant?!)

Because the finished thickness we want is 1/2", we elected to use two pieces of 3/16" x 3-1 /2" x- <5-1 /2" walnut end one piece of 1/8" x 3-1/?" x 6 1/2", clso of walnut.

The grain of the 3/16"-lhick pieces will tun horizontally and the l/8"-thick piece will rt_n vertically. That should improve the strength of the project, and the end grain will not be so prominent as lo detract tram the overall appecranc.c. You are essentially making your own plywood, so be sure there ere no areas not covered with glue. If there are, more than likely they will show up on the front surface, and then you wilt have more work eliminating them. Using dark colored glues on dark wood leaves a less obvious glue line.

Clamp the stack and let the giue set up overnighl. You are now on you!-way to making a project that will have heller edds of arriving in ore piece.

instructions start on page 50

There are two ways around the problem. One is to have the grain of tine main drag-on body run vertically, but that would expose ttie end grain on the base and not look as nice. The other is to use three pieces of wood lamlnaled logether for the

main body. That way, even though some end groin is exposed, il does not have as strong a negative impact. Making your own thin stock is difficult at best urless you own a drum sender such us Ihis. (Otherwise, you car purchase a set of four 1/2" x 3-1/?" x 6-1/2" laminated blanks for $28 plus shipping from: Heritage Building Specialties. 205 No. Cascade, l-ergus Falls, MN 56537-2?08. (800) 524-4184, WAw.heritagewood.com)