Just In Case You Might Be Wondering...

[OutoftheWoodwork]

This is what I'm up to right now-

The first guitar pick box was demanded by a co-worker, who fell in love with it as soon as he saw my two picks inside it. Since I didn't have the flocking powder (yet) I cut two pcs of my self-adhesive red felt for the pick compartments. He said "I want it! I'll pay you for it! How much!?" I just sat there with a dumbfounded look on my face saying "uhhh...." lol I was in shock, especially since it wasn't done yet; it wasn't stained or anything! I was able to get the graphic burned in, but that was it. This was the experiment/prototype for possible future cases, after all. Next thing I know, he says "I'll give you 30 bucks for it!" I was like: "Uhh okay..." he wanted the picks, but I told him he couldn't have them that I needed those, that they're mine. (I ended up going to the guitar shop about a mile and a half from the house and getting him three picks - 20 cents a pc lol)

I had also created what I called a "slim line" of the same case: the lid would stick on with earth magnets, rather than go over the bottom portion of the case. I had one cut (as a prototype); it was basically a pc of 3/8" wood like the original (with the pick compartments routed instead of being cut by the scroll saw), and a 1/4" top. I burned the graphic on the front, and was thinking whether to make it a pivot top or magnet (or both?)

Well, the prototype didn't stain well, and the pivot didn't work because of drilling issues, etc. However - with the help from (and thanks to) John, he cut me nine of these with his CNC. The idea: Instead of having two pieces, cut one, and (later) use my band saw to cut the "lid" off. Then route out the pick compartments, burn the graphic on the lid, and voila, right? Well yes (and no.) It went well until I was trying to get the pin and magnets installed for closing. I used my prototype as the sacrificial lamb (so to speak) to play with the ideas, so I wouldn't ruin these pieces John was kind enough to cut for me. I have one that has gone together well (used a brass rod for the pivot, which looks good against the wood) and 5mm earth magnets for security. Not sure the 5mm are quite big enough, though. I think the 8mm will work better, and I still need to secure the pin in the bottom piece so it pivots without the lid coming off.

All of these are WIP so they aren't stained, flocked, and still need touch ups. But this is where I am in this little adventure.

Even more exciting (to me) was Sunday night (Ken's Birthday) when I figured out how to do the original design (with the cover going over the bottom) by router rather than all those pieces being cut by scroll saw then glued. John (using his CNC) was also helping me with this idea, but he has a lot of projects he's trying to get done too, so I didn't want to bug him about playing around with this, so I set myself to task to figure this out, even if it killed me.

Three tries later, I had it. The first one was a crash & burn; not even sure just what caused the gouged, ugly lookin' thing, but the second one didn't make it to the final fitting before it went in the burn pile for the fire pit. The last picture was my success story for this portion. I still need to shape it a bit and make sure top and bottom will sit securely once the magnets are in, then to burn in the graphics, stain, and gloss it up somehow without poly or clear acrylic.

[Nickp]

WOW...you are really getting into some intricate stuff...AWESOME...! ! !

[Stick486]

SWEET!!!
you are good Barb..

is it getting time for a small table top CNC???

[HandyDan]

I like it! The pick shaped holes are a great idea.

[OutoftheWoodwork]

is it getting time for a small table top CNC???

Thanks, Stick, and while I've thought about it, a few things stand in the way:
1: Money.
2: Machine Speed.
3, 4, & 5: Money

[Herb Stoops]

I love it! What a way to use up small scraps. Do you use a trim router,or a full sized router to make those?
You never cease to amaze me, Barb, GOOD SHOW OLE GAL!
Herb

[Cherryville Chuck]

Nice work Barb.

[OutoftheWoodwork]

I love it! What a way to use up small scraps. Do you use a trim router, or a full sized router to make those?

Herb

Thanks, Herb. I have a couple co-workers who either play guitar, or their spouse does, so I'm going to (hopefully) finish these prototypes this weekend, and get some input for design. One of my co-workers (in my Structural Dept who does most of the wood creations) told me an even better way to do the magnets that I want to play with (where you won't see the magnet in the bottom piece.)

I'm doing these with my cordless DeWalt trim router, but I may have to start using my corded one. When the cordless runs out of battery, there's really no warning, and it just "stops." I think the reason my first trial gouged like it did, was because the battery was on the last light, and the lack of power caused the grab, causing the gouge. I say this, because right after that, while I was working on try #2, it ran out of juice almost immediately after starting. Either that, or it was the width of the bit, and I was doing the top portion of the box close to the edge.

[Herb Stoops]

I have a couple of trim routers I use on small work too. I never had the battery trim routers, I can see what you are talking about tho. I do have the router attachment for the Dremel, and I use it quite often on small work I get the small 1/8" shank bits for it,it has a nice 1/16" quarter round for breaking the sharp edges on small work.
The foot pedal for the Dremel helps too
Keep up the good work, Barb
Herb

[OutoftheWoodwork]

I do have the router attachment for the Dremel, and I use it quite often on small work
Herb

I have a pattern to make one for my Dremel, I just haven't made it yet. (Steve Good Pattern.)

I use my Trim Router for just about everything. I use the full size for outside borders, and when I need the large round over, because it won't fit through the hole in the base.