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.
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.
With all the components and most of the joinery finished i decided to do a dry run of the second smallest unit to judge the aesthetics, scale and usability of the design. The above image shows the piece in its stool option, which is also the shelving option when used in the set.
Shown here is the side table option. I feel that this piece has succeeded in achieving everything it has set out to, its potential to be a commercially viable piece of fine furniture, i believe is great and has endless possibilities with the multiple nature of the set.
The image shown above is of the many many sticks needed to create the stacking unit, and guess what, this is only about half of what is needed. The timber i have selected for this piece is American Walnut, a truly stunning timber when properly finished.
The construction of the side members shown here has been broken down into 20 x 20mm components which will then be bookmatched and glued back together. This serves several purposes, firstly it enables me to keep a greater continuity between the individual unit when they are stacked. and it also allows me to cut all the joinery individually which is a massive blessing as everything is set on a 4 degree rack with the cross rails meeting the sides on a 43 and 47 degree shouldered mitre. Let me just say the math was doing my head in.
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