it aint done yet

[sunnybob]

But due to a couple of people being interested and offering above and beyond help, here is the watch box at the end of play today. Still needs glass, the watch sponge pads, and couple coats of wax.
12" (30 cm) long.

 

[MY63]

Looks great Bob.

 

[NickM]

Very smart

 

[Pete Maddex]

Nice bit of wood and a nice box.

Pete

 

[sunnybob]

Michael, superglue seems to be doing the trick. I folded the material over card and clamped it for a half hour in case the glue didnt take straight away. The panels are stuck to the side of the box with double sided tape.
It seems a bit iffy to me because I'm a "fix it so you cant break it" kind of man. Time will tell.

Now I might have a problem in having made it too deep. The space allows for a 100 mm front to back per watch, and I've just realised thats a mighty big wrist! I havent worn a watch for about 15 years now and had not noticed the size difference.
I might have to do a consult, and fit a length ways slot for spare straps etc.
Definitely outside my comfort zone with this, and there wont be another one. :eusa-naughty:

 

[MY63]

Hi Bob
I am pleased the super glue is working for you, I use the red 3M double sided tape once it is on it is as good as anything else. I always try to have a piece of tape close to the top. It is a box for watches so should not get any heavy use.

 

[sunnybob]

Got the glass in today, its 4 mm so he isnt going to break that very easily. I made bubinga internal 1/4 round beading for it. My new (to me) mitre trimmer is a fantastic tool. I've worked out how to adjust the blades to cut paper :eusa-clap: :eusa-clap:
The cut edge is finer than I could possibly sand on a flat surface and the angle is 100% repeatable.

Got the final nit picking to do this afternoon, and then I'm done.

I'm going to take it over tomorrow, minus any foam wrist expanders (dont mention the expanders! :shock: ).
I havent met him in person, but he seems to be a man who isnt super precious about his watches. He was going to put them into another of my boxes that doesnt have any interior padding at all so I'm pretty sure there arent any Rolex or Breitling's going in the box. He might be happy with just the bottom and side liners, especially if he uses straps and buckles rather than expanding bracelets.

 

[Phil]

Nice bit of wood and a nice box.

Pete

:text-+1:

 

[sunnybob]

Just my luck! He's got a posh watch (among the 5), and he wants the foam expanders. Bugger!

Time for a redesign.

The wood is an outrageously figured plank of bubinga that I found about a year ago. Its beautiful and I wish I could french polish to get it at its best
The same customer commissioned this trophy case last year, from the same plank.

 

[AJB Temple]

From a design perspective may I suggest this would look a great deal crisper if the inner edge where the glass is, was square not rounded over.

 

[sunnybob]

Studied that suggestion for a while, but nope, dont like that idea (apart from the fact its way too late for that kind of change.)
I could possibly see a flat taper down to the glass, but not a square profile.

 

[AJB Temple]

Bob, I was not suggesting you alter this one. I was under the impression from your post that you needed to make a new one. Hence, my suggestion was for next time.

I'm sure round-overs suit some customers, but they always remind me of the way people used to route out raised and fielded panels in kitchen cabinet doors. The best high quality joinery I have seen is always very crisp. Bear in mind I am interested in luthiery which is always very refined. I'm not criticising your work so please don't take offence. KR Adrian

 

[sunnybob]

No, I'm not going to make another box, that would be too close to mass production for me :lol:
I have to alter the inner layout, thats all. I might troll a few jewellers and watch shops to see if I can scrounge some sponge cuffs.

I'm still imaging square edges and I just dont like it (no woodworker would call my stuff high end :eusa-naughty: ).
Luckily, although I do my best to recover the hobby costs, this isnt a business for me. I can make things I want to make, the way I like them made, and if it doesnt sell, I can always give them away.

 

[MY63]

Hi Bob
Foam pipe insulation can be used to make cushions for watches, cutting slices and triming top and bottom to give flat areas, Make sides from thick cardboard or thin scraps of mdf. Then wrapping them in fabric of your choice. If you are careful you can glue everything, no stitching required.

 

[sunnybob]

Michael, the sewing department manageress ('er indoors) has been looking into this via youtube, and has come up with the glue approach. But what we had not considered was using fabric instead of the slightly unsuitable "pleather" that was in plan A.
I have plenty of seat cushion foam though and I can cut that to any size.

Thank you, I shall copy her in on this idea. :lol: :lol:

 

[sunnybob]

It is now!

With a bit of collaboration between the woodworking and the sewing departments, we came up with an acceptable solution for the watch pillows.

sponge filled tubes of pleather, stitched into pillow shapes
They fit snugly into the box in both directions, obviating the need for dividers.

Thanks for the many suggestions and offers of help.