I’m building a series of jewelry chests for various women in my life – medium sized, 17″ wide, 9″ deep, 11″ tall, carcase material is 9/16″ thick – couple of drawers, 3 trays, secret compartment, etc –
the lid (single board w/breadboard ends) is hinged with leather, ‘soshi'(sp?) screen style –
I’m looking for a design for a catch other than commercial ‘lock & key’ metal assemblies –
there is no metal in the chests, except a few brads, and I want a (nearly) all wood mechanism – it doesn’t need to lock, just catch – ideally modest and discrete –
Nutting (Furniture Treasury) plate 218 pictures ‘A Curious Little Box…with a Trick Lock’ dated 1808, but of course with no details, and I haven’t been able to decipher it from the single picture, other that it doesn’t appear to be metal –
I’d appreciate any ideas, or leads – a prize to the person who directs me to just what I want…
D
Replies
David
Here are a couple of articles from FWW that might give you some ideas. Tom
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/FWNPDF/011155044.pdf
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/FWNPDF/011179054.pdf
can you identify the issues from which the articles originated? - I don't subscribe online, but have most of the issues - thanks - "there's enough for everyone"
David,
If you are incorporating wooden hinges on them why not add a simple wooden pin that prevents the hinge from operating? This would allow an uncluttered front and could easily be incorporated, sort of hidden if you will.
Also the pin could be replaced should the need arise and wouldn't have to be all that strong.
Now, for the prize I will gladly accept................
:-)
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
march/april 2002September/October 2005Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
Thanks all - I did have my epiphany today - leather hinges, leather pulls = leather catch I've got it conceptualized - need to figure out the knob for the leather to stretch over so to restrain the lid - got some time yet - I'm assembling carcases and building drawers - then there's the trays and racks - lids will go on last - I've got to figure a clever way to inset a modest mirror in the lid - fun in the shop - I've got a paying gig tomorrow, I hate to lose momentum..."there's enough for everyone"
I've used these before. Bore aligned holes to appropriate depth in top and top of case, epoxy one in place in each hole and add several more to give the field strength you need. Make sure the poles are aligned correctly so the top is attracted to the case. Plug the holes with a shallow plug and it's nearly invisible.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32065cat=1,42363,42348
A friend made a box that she gave to me with a swinging hook style wooden catch. It broke. To improve upon it so it would not have broke along the grain I think if she would have used at least two layers of wood laid up like plywood then it would have worked.
hope that makes sense and helps
roc
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