Writing Slope Dilema

[fuchsiaprincess]

Hi Michael,

 

Please keep your photos and comments coming

 

TMLee is a member here, who posted his initial project of making his own journals. Here is one or his threads. If you have the time to follow his progress, you will learn at how far he has come.

 

Warm regards,

FP

[p-zero]

I am fascinated by this project. Keep the progress reports & photos coming!!!

[Shangas]

I've been interested in writing-slopes and boxes for decades.

[my63]

Hi Michael,

 

Please keep your photos and comments coming

 

TMLee is a member here, who posted his initial project of making his own journals. Here is one or his threads. If you have the time to follow his progress, you will learn at how far he has come.

 

Warm regards,

FP

 

I have started reading TMLee post and have to admit I am keen to have a go myself.

 

Regards

Michael

[DanielCoffey]

In that case Ratchford Bookbinding Supplies will be your friend... http://www.ratchford.co.uk/index.aspx

 

Other FPN threads are...

 

Making pamphlets... https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/224251-looking-for-a-video-on-how-to-make-your-own-stitched-notebooks/

 

Bluecloud's Journals... https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/138780-hand-made-journal/

 

My own journals with book cloth colour chart... https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/224631-my-first-case-bound-notebooks/

 

Books will be something like Keith Smith's volume 3 if you do TMLee's design of open spine coptic.

 

Videos for casebound journals are here... http://www.youtube.com/user/Ceropegia/videos

 

Look on pages 2 and 3 of that set of videos.

 

There is also a forum here... http://www.bookartsforum.com/forum/index.php

[my63]

In that case Ratchford Bookbinding Supplies will be your friend... http://www.ratchford.co.uk/index.aspx

 

Other FPN threads are...

 

Making pamphlets... https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/224251-looking-for-a-video-on-how-to-make-your-own-stitched-notebooks/

 

Bluecloud's Journals... https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/138780-hand-made-journal/

 

My own journals with book cloth colour chart... https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/224631-my-first-case-bound-notebooks/

 

Books will be something like Keith Smith's volume 3 if you do TMLee's design of open spine coptic.

 

Videos for casebound journals are here... http://www.youtube.com/user/Ceropegia/videos

 

Look on pages 2 and 3 of that set of videos.

 

There is also a forum here... http://www.bookartsforum.com/forum/index.php

 

Thanks for the links Daniel I have at least two writng slopes to complete first. I saw a leather worker at a heritage display and my first thought was it would make a great pen case I am now thinking note book.

Thanks again

Michael

Edited July 6, 2012 by my63

[my63]

Escutchen is next when I made the cartouche I did not show you the first stage making the template.

I used electirical tape pushed into place with a cotton bud.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7515887636_98e829f324_z.jpg

IMG_1499 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Trim with a sharp blade

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7515889560_050e37237e_z.jpg

IMG_1503 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stick to a piece of card

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7515892704_2c689e08d8_z.jpg

IMG_1505 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Then spend 4 or 5 hours with a hacksaw/file until you get the required shape.

 

Michael

[my63]

Sorry for the delay since my last update.

 

I have been preparing for the veneering process as you can see from the picture below the edges of the writing slope are chamfered.

this is to avoid the edges of the veneer from meeting at corners.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7562319406_687f4dd84a_z.jpg

IMG_1527 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The procedure is to stick strips of wood to these edges then planing or sanding them to the required thickness after the glue has set.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/7562321118_1af8edc059_z.jpg

IMG_1528 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see I have started cleaning the brass which someone has taken a file to at some point in the past.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/7562316006_f29ac020c1_z.jpg

IMG_1524 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks

Michael

[my63]

This is the inside of the bottom half of the slope it has been sealed. With shellac and sanded ready for waxing.

All of the inserts are now complete and need to be sealed prior to waxing.

 

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8023/7563566276_3ca1e18cd2_z.jpg

IMG_1535 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have started cutting the wood to make the writing surfaces. I need to decide wether to cover them in leather or leave them as wood.

 

I have enjoyed this process and may have an option to buy another slope tomorrow.

However I already have one of my own and then these two came along and I can not keep them all.

More dilemas

Thanks for looking

Michael

[melissima]

Wow I just found this thread today, Michael you are doing great. I am really enjoying seeing the in-progress photos and reading about how you are working out solutions. Bravo!

[Shangas]

I have started cutting the wood to make the writing surfaces. I need to decide wether to cover them in leather or leave them as wood.

 

I would STRONGLY suggest covering them in leather.

 

Not only would it give the box a more authentic look, but it will be MUCH more pleasant to write on. Take it from someone who writes on one of these boxes regularly. A pen-nib scratching over wood, even with paper in the way, is NOT pleasant. Once the nib starts carving grooves in the wood (unlikely, but possible), the writing surface becomes uneven, and it's a pain in the ass. The leather cushions the pen-nib, protects the wood slope, and does it with class.

[melissa59]

I am totally amazed at the progress on this wonderful slope.

I love seeing all the photos! Keep 'em coming!

 

BTW ... I don't believe I have ever seen anyone use a vice on a nice wooden desk. :-)

[my63]

I have started cutting the wood to make the writing surfaces. I need to decide wether to cover them in leather or leave them as wood.

 

I would STRONGLY suggest covering them in leather.

 

Not only would it give the box a more authentic look, but it will be MUCH more pleasant to write on. Take it from someone who writes on one of these boxes regularly. A pen-nib scratching over wood, even with paper in the way, is NOT pleasant. Once the nib starts carving grooves in the wood (unlikely, but possible), the writing surface becomes uneven, and it's a pain in the ass. The leather cushions the pen-nib, protects the wood slope, and does it with class.

 

Thanks again Shangas for your input I have used a faux suede for making the pen trays it is quite fine like the alcantara on car seats.

Do you think that would be suitable

Thanks

Michael

Edited July 15, 2012 by my63

[my63]

I am totally amazed at the progress on this wonderful slope.

I love seeing all the photos! Keep 'em coming!

 

BTW ... I don't believe I have ever seen anyone use a vice on a nice wooden desk. :-)

 

Thanks Melissa

 

I really do appreciate your comments I love my desk it is waxed every 5 years wether it needs it or not.

I dont think the picture of the vice tells the whole story although the vice looks like an anvil is tiny 100mm in length here is a picture with an AA battery just for you

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7575361882_228e70bde1_z.jpg

IMG_1567 by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks

Michael

[my63]

I have had a bit of a disaster last night.

When I remade the upper tray for the lower section some of the glue bled through the cloth and left a dark mark.

I decided to lay another piece of material on top and it has happened again it shows up as a dark line although in the picture it looks grey.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7575206994_09032972b7_z.jpg

IMG_1546 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the interior of the lower box as you may remember the interiors had been removed before I bought this box. A the exterior of the box was stripped I have left the interior as it was it has been sealed with shellac and waxed.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7563573414_31e12b66ca_z.jpg

IMG_1538 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have made two trays to fit inside

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7261/7575197576_919c05bab1_z.jpg

IMG_1543 by my0771, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7575247166_b3db379934_z.jpg

IMG_1564 by my0771, on Flickr

 

For the upper section I have made a section to hold paper

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/7575232998_064aa8ed1a_z.jpg

IMG_1559 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The interior trays need to be sealed and waxed as does the upper paper tray.

there are 22 slots for pen storage.

As yet I have no lock but I am still looking.

Thanks for looking

Michael

[Shangas]

Suede should be alright instead of leather. But I'd suggest against using FELT. In my experience, felt rubs off and goes all dusty and crumbly, and it makes a mess after a while.

[my63]

Thanks Shangas I am going to think about this I think maybe it should be leather.

I made a frame yesterday just four pieces of oak mitred and stuck together to make the outside then plywood the the inside.

When I put it all together I realised it was wrong so off to the skip it is going.

The timber yard cannot cut me anymore oak untill tomorrow.

So I spent the rest of today putting all of the edging strips in place ready for the veneer.

To be honest I am dreading the veneer.

To make matters worse I was outbid on one box and forgot to bid on the other never mind.

Michael

[my63]

I started the veneering process yesterday this is how it starts the veneer came in a cardboard tube so always trys to roll up. It is also quite brittle if you try to flatten it out it will crack.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8427/7601958894_4a41572096_z.jpg

IMG_1579 by my0771, on Flickr

adding a little water on a cloth helps to make the veneer pliable.

 

I transferred the shape of the box top to my cutting mat using tape and trimmed the veneer then laid it onto the box top and using a very sharp knife cut out the first corner.

It is very difficult to do this while keeping everything in place without full use of both hands.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7106/7601950720_65950b5be8_z.jpg

IMG_1573 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I know know why the raised edges are used it means you have a raised edge to work to I have discovered some nifty little tricks to remove them later.

After the remaining edges and corners have been trimmed I moved to the centre to let in the cartouche a curved blade would have been better here as I scratched the cartouche quite badly just after I had glued it in place.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8422/7601947466_480dbfec87_z.jpg

IMG_1570 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Whilst we are talking about mistakes it is a good idea to mark either the top with chalk or the bottom with pencil I had glued the top and placed the veneer before I realised that it was the wrong war around.

I flipped it over and used my wet cloth to wipe off the glue.

I had purchased a carpet tile which I cut into pieces to fit the box I clamped it up and left over night.

If anyone is interested this is the guy on youtube who is providing all of the information

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1x3PtXC2OI&feature=related

More soon

Thanks

Michael

[melissa59]

The tiny anvil is adorable.

Photos look great.

[my63]

Ok the clamps are off and it is not at all bad.

Although you can dampen the veneer to help flatten it out do not cut it or fit it in place until it is dry.

I applied the veneer wet and let it dry out too quickly so there are a few splits and a little bit of shrinkage.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8025/7601960094_d75bee184f_z.jpg

IMG_1580 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8432/7601961088_f6b97ba936_z.jpg

IMG_1581 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/7601963290_55ed549ab0_z.jpg

IMG_1583 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8019/7601964324_e7fea95871_z.jpg

IMG_1584 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Any way it has stuck which was my greatest fear the splits cracks and shrinkage I can fix I think.

I am now cutting the rest of the veneer and compressing it before application it is possible that I may get the iron out and start again. I will decide tomorrow.

the replacement hinges have arrived t hinges rather than strap hinges for the extra weight I have added to the lid.

I still dont have a lock however I have acquired another box.

Thanks to everyone watching and especially those who have contributed.

Michael