Amaya Blackstone (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
special_rabbit) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2021-11-09 03:43 am
special_rabbit) wrote in fandomhigh2021-11-09 03:43 am
Entry tags:
Shop Class; Tuesday, First Period [11/09].
"Alright, you guys," Amaya greeted the students with a nod and a faint smile, a look that said she was ready, as always to get to work. "Last week, we dabbled in a bit of pottery, and I'd say it went fairly well, and I've got a few things lined up for the rest of the semester, but today we're going to focus on a classic project for this class we haven't touched on yet, and that's the good old puzzle box! That means we're back on wood and a lot of defined parts and pieces, so that means using the scroll saw, which both of you seemed to have had a pretty good grasp of. Still, if for whatever reason today's not your day for working with the saw, I've got some precut pieces, as well. But let's get right to it.
"Now, our first step is to measure and cut and sand our pieces, which is all pretty self-explanatory, and I've got dimensions and instructions printed out here. Be sure to label your parts, too; that'll make it much easier when it comes time to start putting them together. We're using two different kinds of wood, too, so that the contrasting colors provide a simple aesthetic for the box, but also helps to keep all your pieces straight.
"Once that's done, we're taking the smaller pieces like these," holding them up for demonstration, "and we're putting them into the column, like this, alternating the colors. Glue the pieces together, drive in a screw to reinforce the column, sand it down once the glue is dry. Five pieces to a column, so you should have three by the time you're done.
"Now we build the inner column. I've provided instructions for a single step box or a five step box, do whichever you feel is more your skill level. We're gonna stack the middle layers on the top layer turned upside down, and make sure all the little tabs are aligned if you're doing the one step solution. Glue 'em together, reinforce it with a screw, set the bottom layer, attach, and mark on the box the alignment for the solution, and you've got yourself the inner chamber! This is the point where you can sort of mark whatever image you want the box to present when the correct solution is found, be it a letter, a picture, whatever you'd like.
"If you're doing the five steps, make sure to stagger your tabs by 120 degrees. You're going to create a centered inner tab and an inner tabbed ring, glue together, and repeat, for all five of the layers, then screw in your reinforcement and finish on the bottom layer and the lid.
"Now we've got to align all the rotating rings, with the notches facing down, and be sure to number them as you go, to help keep everything in proper order. Align the first step first, then the second, third, fourth, you get the idea, and this is where you can get a little creative on the designs for the five step solution.
"At this point, we should be ready to test the fit, make sure everything's working as it should before we finally glue and screw it all together. If it's not quite working, well, back to the drawing board, and try to figure out where you went astray. But if everything does fit, great! Place the outer column, stack the rings, glue it, an' screw it. If you've got the time, you can polish it up or add some other decorative accents, too.
"Again, I've got the instructions written out to follow along with, but if there's any questions, I'll be right here. Let's get to work!"
"Now, our first step is to measure and cut and sand our pieces, which is all pretty self-explanatory, and I've got dimensions and instructions printed out here. Be sure to label your parts, too; that'll make it much easier when it comes time to start putting them together. We're using two different kinds of wood, too, so that the contrasting colors provide a simple aesthetic for the box, but also helps to keep all your pieces straight.
"Once that's done, we're taking the smaller pieces like these," holding them up for demonstration, "and we're putting them into the column, like this, alternating the colors. Glue the pieces together, drive in a screw to reinforce the column, sand it down once the glue is dry. Five pieces to a column, so you should have three by the time you're done.
"Now we build the inner column. I've provided instructions for a single step box or a five step box, do whichever you feel is more your skill level. We're gonna stack the middle layers on the top layer turned upside down, and make sure all the little tabs are aligned if you're doing the one step solution. Glue 'em together, reinforce it with a screw, set the bottom layer, attach, and mark on the box the alignment for the solution, and you've got yourself the inner chamber! This is the point where you can sort of mark whatever image you want the box to present when the correct solution is found, be it a letter, a picture, whatever you'd like.
"If you're doing the five steps, make sure to stagger your tabs by 120 degrees. You're going to create a centered inner tab and an inner tabbed ring, glue together, and repeat, for all five of the layers, then screw in your reinforcement and finish on the bottom layer and the lid.
"Now we've got to align all the rotating rings, with the notches facing down, and be sure to number them as you go, to help keep everything in proper order. Align the first step first, then the second, third, fourth, you get the idea, and this is where you can get a little creative on the designs for the five step solution.
"At this point, we should be ready to test the fit, make sure everything's working as it should before we finally glue and screw it all together. If it's not quite working, well, back to the drawing board, and try to figure out where you went astray. But if everything does fit, great! Place the outer column, stack the rings, glue it, an' screw it. If you've got the time, you can polish it up or add some other decorative accents, too.
"Again, I've got the instructions written out to follow along with, but if there's any questions, I'll be right here. Let's get to work!"