The stacking multifunction unit, s_3.0, has now been completed!!!
The above image is a collection of the promotional shots taken for this piece.
Photography thanks to Rachael Cunningham, RC Photography.
Shown here are the curved elements of the plywood range. The curved members are made up of 4 layers of 4mm plywood epoxied together around two curved formers.
With the side components all glued up and the locating holes drilled for the dowels. It was now time to apply the finish to all bar the outside elements of each piece. I chose to go with a hard burnishing oil with a dark wax finish over this as this would be the most appropriate for the type of timber and the durability of the piece.
With all the interior components now finished it was time to do the final glue ups for each piece.
The moment of truth for the second of the multifunction themed projects has arrived with the plywood prints completed. I utilised the inkjet research facility at the School of Art’s Print media department for this task and am stoked with the results. I took inspiration for the images from a series of photographs i had taken at Floriade, Canberra’s annual flower show, in mid September.
The above images show how i went about inserting the locating points for each join. Using the metal work lathe and a couple of cradling jigs i had constructed i was able to access the same reference points to have a consistent dowel locating system.
Once the locating points had been completed i was then able to do the glue ups for all the side members. This was made easier with the jig constructed earlier to position each side pieces at the correct shoulder height while under clamping pressure.
As i have seperated the side components to both cut the joinery and to also provide a greater continuity to the units when stacked i required a way of locating the side elements during the gluing process as it is essential that the shoulder positions remain accurate. The jig i have created to resolve this is shown here. The crown at the bottom of the image is fixed, with the top crown adjustable to accommodate gluing up all the various heights of the sides.
The adjustable top cron shown here slides in a routered trench which keeps the crowns square relative to one another and provides enough pressure to locate the pieces accurately. During the glue up i will use clamps from either side and cauls to the top which will be more than ample to keep the whole side square and true.
As with the nature of timber i had alot of reverse grain sections in the American Walnut stock i had for this piece. This proved problematic as i had a limited amount of stock to work with and have been required use the majority of what i had. This meant i had areas of tear out through about eight of the elements needed for the sides of the larger bench unit. To counter this problem i created the jig shown in the image above which has a shallow curve to the top which, when used with a one to one router removes the torn grain section of the stock.
With the torn stock now removed i am left with the curve of the routing jig, i then cut and machined veneers form the limited remaining stock i had and glued this into the removed section of side pieces.
The successful result from the repair process.
Shown above are the two smaller units in there nesting option. This element allows the pieces to be stored in the minimal of spaces and also allows for easier shipping and transport.
As a set of four this unit can be stacked to form a shelving unit. The slatted elements act on a practical level as a locator, however on an aesthetical level it offers a harmony between the individual elements to achieve a feeling of wholeness and continuity.
Another option for the five piece set is for a flat screen entertainment unit, with the bench piece providing the location for the flat screen and the shelving providing the storage. These elements can also be used as individual pieces as stools and tables if needed.
Shown above is the joinery detail for the stacking/ nesting shelving unit. The joinery in this image is only dry fit and the final joinery will have concealed dowel locating pins and once assembled a series of mitre keys will be added for structural integrety adding long grain to long grain glueing surfaces.
As i await for mamterial to mount the fabric images i have assembled the unit so far. The outter shell has been veneered and doors and drawers temporarily mounted. I have also purchased stock for the feet from the Canberra Timber and Working with Wood Show. For this i have bought a small amount of Wenge, (for those unfamiliar with this timber it is a dark wood, similar in colour to ebony only alot cheaper.) The idea at this stage is for the feet to be 80mm high and a turned taper from approx 60mm to 25mm. This style of foot and the nature of the selected timber will hopefully provide the cabinet with a feeling of levitation as the grounding of the feet should disappear underneath the unit.
In construction i am leaning toward fixing threaded rod to the feet and installing threaded inserts into the base of the cabinet.
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