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Box 52

4/29/2016

17 Comments

 
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Box 52. Done. And that's all I have to say about that.

Kidding. I always have plenty to say. This is another stacking box, like box 49, but I changed the shape from rectangle to square, taking box 48 as my starting point (I really like box 48). I think box 49 is too tall, so this time I made the sides 1 1/4 in. tall instead of 1 1/2 in. I know it's impossible to tell from these photos, but the lower height is an improvement. I also like the square format for the boxes. (I'm actually excited about designing more square boxes in the future. I can't believe I never tried a square box until No. 48.) The biggest benefit of the square is that I had more latitude in dividing the boxes into compartments. For the top box, I used the same arrangement as I did for box 49. For the middle box, I added a compartment. For the bottom box, I added another compartment, but not another lid. A square compartment in the middle of a box with others wrapping around it: I've had this arrangement in mind for years. I finally said fuck it and gave it a try. It wasn't as hard to do as I feared. I did not use a lid for it because I wanted a pop of color in the middle and I thought the fabric would be cooler than a painted lid.

Here's something I don't like: Dumb figure holes on the two lower boxes. They suck. As I was working on this box and running through all the different ways I could make a pull for them, I was getting bummed out because I thought that I just wasn't able to design a good pull for them. The problem is that the bottom of the box above sits on the lid of the box below, so the pulls on the box bellow must be flush with the lid. That's a tough constraint to work with. However, I realized that the problem wasn't really a design problem. It's an engineering problem. I needed to change how the upper box sat on the lower box. I've figured that out now, and the next time I build a box like this (soon, I think), I'll be able to have pulls that are at least a bit proud of the lid. Then, I'll be able to design a lovely pull for the lower two boxes. So, some progress was made.

I think that's all I have to say, so let's here are the customary random thoughts.
  1. The inside edge of the finger holes are painted with green milk paint. The underside of the bottoms on the top two boxes are also painted with green milk paint.
  2. I am happy to be done with the 52 boxes, but I'm also bummed. I loved being in a constant state of design and build. I need some time to reflect on what I learned, but I do plan to write at least one blog about the project as a whole.
  3. I have many more box designs that I wasn't able to make. I'll be making them.
  4. Choo choo everybody! (That's for you, LH and BE.)

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17 Comments
Dane
4/29/2016 11:24:03 pm

Congratulations Matt !!

Very interesting mix of boxes thanks for sharing all of them on your journey and/or adventure.

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Freddy Roman link
5/1/2016 11:15:21 am

Matt,

Pull design idea....

For the finger pull issue a possible options is make a similar cross bar handle on level 1 and 2. Maybe you could of rabbetted the pull on each end of the pull and nailed it or glue it to the back side of the lid. This will allow the user to have an access hole on either side of the pull for your thumb and index finger. This will allows you to have a similar theme throughout. Just thought. I have loved your 52 series. Don't forget to have a gallery show. I may be able to give you a recommendation for a gallery in Boston.

Cheers,

FR

P.S. Time for a self published box book.

Reply
Matt Kenney
5/2/2016 02:12:26 pm

Freddy,

Thanks for the idea. I had a similar idea myself. As for a gallery, I'd love suggestions. Are you thinking of NAGA?

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Jon Spencer
5/1/2016 09:24:01 pm

I have enjoyed your box series. Hard to believe a year has gone by, but in that time, I have started a box. Perhaps this time next year, I will have completed it. Congratulations.

Jon

Reply
Matt Kenney
5/3/2016 10:26:42 am

Jon,

Thanks for following along. Now get out int the shop and finish that box!

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LH
5/2/2016 10:02:21 am

Congratulations! And for the record, I do read it. Just not every day.

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Shawn Nichols link
5/2/2016 01:44:11 pm

Matt, well done. This box has been inspiring from the 'git. I've enjoyed the pictures and the design aesthetic throughout. +1 on Freddy's comment about a box book. I'd buy it today if it was available.

I'll settle for a series of articles or more video tips like what you talked about with Charles Brock in the Highland Woodworker video. It's difficult to get scale from your posts but it came thru in the video.

Again, thanks for doing this.

-Shawn

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Jerry
5/4/2016 08:43:49 am

Matt,

What a great way to complete the challenge of making fifty-two boxes in fifty-two weeks -- with another great box. (I agree with Freddy that it would be 'nice' if all the pulls on this box were the same as those on the top -- because they are very cool -- but that approach would have serious design implications, as far as I can see.)

The last few boxes have been more complex than the first few; all have been well done; all have been interesting to study. There are interesting paths of elaboration all through this project.As my uncle used to say, "Pretty nifty."

I look forward to reading your reflective blog about the overall project. It will be interesting reading.

Thanks for sharing the project and congratulations on its completion.

All the best...

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Chris joyce
5/4/2016 07:19:28 pm

Matt,
Great box to finish with. Hope you'll post others as you do them . Really enjoyed this series . Happy woodworking

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An old lady
5/6/2016 10:18:01 pm

Matt. I love your boxes...but then again, I'm an old lady.

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Matthew Kenney
5/7/2016 06:45:41 am

Nothing to apologize for. I'm one too.

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Jeff Moore
5/14/2016 10:15:31 pm

Congratulations Matt, on completion of your year-long project. I've been following along since Box 1. Have to say, your work has really inspired me, and got my own creative juices flowing. Your craftsmanship is top-notch and I appreciate you sharing your thought/design process for all these beautiful objects. FWIW, my top-5 favorites are:

1) 45
2) 51
3) 38
4) 43
5) 10

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Jeannie Littleton
5/20/2016 09:08:53 am

I have followed your journey for the last year, and you have inspired me to up my game. I have been making small boxes for the past four years and sell at craft shows and art walks, and I have to say box 51 is a work of art! Looking forward to your next challenge.

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Michael
5/27/2016 11:20:34 am

Matt, I enjoyed your thoughts and writing nearly as much as the boxes (and I love the boxes).
Well done, looking forward to what you have in store next. Thanks for sharing.

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Boardroom link
10/12/2016 12:29:41 pm

Hey Matt, thank you so much for sharing your adventurous journey, you have got some of the most interesting mix of boxes out there

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Boardroom link
10/13/2016 12:40:54 am

You have got some of the most gorgeous mix of boxes out there, thank you so much for sharing the idea

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Richard Fearon link
2/27/2017 06:13:56 pm

I have been looking for box making inspiration and boy have you just delivered Matt. I wish I had the patience to do a box a week.

Box 21 is my favourite, reminds me of my old school pencil case!

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