Making A Carry Case For a Large Format Camera Part 2

The lid and base for the box are rebated around the edges to allow them to be housed in the carcass.

The glued up box is dry, and the dimensions of the lid are marked out along the sides as a guide for the saw.

Note that I am careful to mark through the middle of the tails as they have the longest registration and will remain sturdy after cutting.

The lid is part cut on the tablesaw.  I only cut about 3/4 of the way through to keep the carcass intact -  and then finish it off with a handsaw.

Here I am using my Spear and Jackson 10 point panel saw which is perfect for this little job.

The separated lid and the body now need their mating edges cleaned up with a plane to eliminate the saw marks.

Either the lid or the carcass now need a stepped seal to help them mate when closed, and to provide a barrier against dust and moisture.

I have chosen to do it to the lid as I don't want this lip to impede the placement and removal of the camera when in use.

The stepped seal is simple - mitred at the ends and glued into place.

This has to be rounded slightly at its outside edges - particularly the front -  to make closure easier.

I will use a piano hinge for strength, as the hinge will have to bear part of the weight of the box and its contents when it is carried.

Clasps are simple stainless steel snap locks - I found mine on ebay.



In part 3, I will show how I lay out the inside to support the camera and its parts.

Happy shavings to all.

The Wooden Letterbox

Making the Letterbox

Good friends of ours wanted a new letterbox - nothing fancy - just a functioning letter box.
They even provided a fully detailed engineer's drawing.
(which I have misplaced, but will post here when found)

Here we go.

Made from recycled timbers sourced from far and wide.
The ship-lap boards are western red cedar from my brother in law's renovation and the remaining parts are alpine ash from a reclaimed bed-head.

Hinged forward using brass hinges.  The salty air at the address necessitated some corrosion protection.

The sides of the letterbox hang down below the base so that rain does not cause rotting problems to the floor of the letterbox.

The roof overhangs the body on all sides to provide a constant self draining design that doesn't impact the sides.
And here is the finished article all mounted on its post.

The choice of finish for a salty environment is tough gloss acrylic paint - inside and out.
The existing number and newspaper holder were retained.  And they are sheltered from the elements.
Happy shavings to all.

Making A Carry Case For a Large Format Camera Part 1

Large format cameras are something of an anachronism in these days of high definition digital imaging, however they have their devotees and disciples.
They are big, cumbersome and require lots of bits and pieces - as well as a sturdy tripod.

I am going to make a carry-case for the safe storage of one of these - my Toyo-View 45G.
Currently it is still in its original cardboard and styrofoam box, but these are deteriorating and certainly won't stand up to being carted around outdoors.

 

Here is a how to:

I have selected some meranti - pacific maple - for its strength and lightness.

Edge glue some boards to make lumber of the appropriate width.

When the glue is dry, true one edge as the reference edge from which the sides will be cut square.

The six sides of what is essentially a box are laid out prior the cutting the dovetail joints for the sides and ends.

I use a Gifkins Jig to cut the tails for the dovetails first.

The completed joints look like this.

A trial fit of the carcass without top or bottom fitted.

The top and bottom will be cut out and rebated into the carcass and the whole lot glued together.
When dry I will cut off the lid on the tablesaw.

More to come in part 2