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Post by joatmoniac on Jul 2, 2015 8:40:26 GMT
Really awesome to see the process as it is happening. Thank you for sharing this with us as it is made. Can't wait to see the finished prototype!
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jul 2, 2015 17:56:56 GMT
I reckon these projects are usually more interesting if you can see them coming together. And these WIP pictures'll probably help me a fair bit when I try to recreate the toolbox too. =P The hardboard has all been cut and shaped and those tight tolerances are popping out all over. I've got the outer walls assembled so I can finally see the full form of what the finished box will look like. It's a bit bigger than it looked on paper: Even so, after all the cutting, trimming, and sanding was finished, it's wound up just about 1/8" too narrow to fit a source book inside. This is a fair bit disappointing but it may well simplify things in the short-term. I'm pondering removing the lid compartment and just having the lid sit flat on the base. That should reduce the total height from 3.5" to a flat 2" and make it easier for me to fit it in my bag (which was becoming a concern). I tend to carry all my papers in a binder anyway. As with any change this'll require some reworking of things, but in the end I think it'll make for a better toolbox for my situation.
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Post by joatmoniac on Jul 3, 2015 8:56:44 GMT
I think that going down to the flat 2" could do really well to just be like one of your books you carry. That way everything is roughly the same size and shape, but in this box are all the odds and ends you need to run the game. Rather than having some free floating pencils and markers in your bag, and tokens in their own bag in your bag, and your dice bag in your bag, etc this could take care of all of that. Especially with the previously mentioned idea of making it look like a really nice leather bound book (and of course would smell of rich mahogany.)
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jul 3, 2015 14:40:38 GMT
Oh I certainly could make it smell like rich mahogany hand polished with oils and beeswax and lined with vellum and kangaroo hide, but not within this price range. =P I've decided to remove the lid compartment though that might present a few new problems. In particular I'll need to figure out how to keep the lid from sliding around on the base. That might not be such a problem since the corner caps should help but I have a few other ideas for how to address that if it does become an issue. In the meantime, the base is all assembled. It still needs to be painted and/or have felt lining glued into place. I decided to reinforce the joints with some small screws but the best I could find on short notice turned out to be a bit too wide. This might cause some headaches later today when I try to cover the outsides of the box with cardstock, but I guess we'll see. In the meantime, I've got the first glimpse of the applique. It's 9oz veg-tan leather stitched onto a goatskin lining and I'm pretty pleased with how it's come out.
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Samuel Wise
Demigod
Ready to Help...
Posts: 989
Favorite D&D Class: Warlock
Favorite D&D Race: Mousefolk
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Post by Samuel Wise on Jul 3, 2015 16:09:21 GMT
It looks really beautiful. If there is one thing I like to do it is to smell the fresh scent of leather. Mmmm.
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jul 4, 2015 6:47:08 GMT
I handle leather just about every day, and also various chemicals, glues, waxes, and conditioners (any number of which can be fairly aromatic). I don't have much of a sense of smell myself but my wife tells me that there can be some surprising smells when she gets home from work. I spent most of the day cracking away at this thing and it's -almost- done. There's just a bit more assembly to finish up (hopefully in time for our GURPS game tomorrow). The joinery could be a bit better (mostly a sourcing problem with the wood screws) and I should find something other than kote to paint the wood/fiberboard with. It looked fine on a test sample but on larger areas I think it's looking a bit sloppy. I made a goofy, dumb error on the corners so they don't wrap all the way under the lid/base but probably won't be that big a deal. I just finished staining the corners and it's curing to a nice gold-copper color. I'll have to wait overnight to see what the final color will be but I'm liking it so far.
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Samuel Wise
Demigod
Ready to Help...
Posts: 989
Favorite D&D Class: Warlock
Favorite D&D Race: Mousefolk
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Post by Samuel Wise on Jul 4, 2015 16:27:55 GMT
Wow! It is turning out, really nice. It is the nicest box, aesthetically, that I have ever seen for Dungeons and Dragons.
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Post by joatmoniac on Jul 4, 2015 18:25:40 GMT
I agree that this is turning out very nice. Especially since this is only the prototype. Will be great to see the finished prototype with things in it and hopefully it gets field tested tomorrow for your game!
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jul 5, 2015 0:39:04 GMT
It was field tested at our game this afternoon even! =P There's a few things I'll keep in mind for any subsequent models. For one, removing the lid comparment means I can't carry index cards, but I found another use for those slots. The locks work pretty well (the lid's surprisingly stable) but they tend to get in the way being bolted on top of the lid. I suspect it'd be better if they were over the "gap" rather than the lid. Anywho, this is exactly why we build prototypes. =) I'll have a full write-up on my blog probably by tomorrow (which I'll link here of course). In the meantime I can confirm that the rolling tray is pretty handy. Having all our party minis separate from the general mish-mash will be quite helpful too. Still some room for improvement but I'm calling this project a success. ^_^
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Post by joatmoniac on Jul 5, 2015 4:48:06 GMT
Awesome! Can't wait for more out of this project. I'm still on board for buying one from you once they are production approved by you. Almarianknight will as well, so he has stated before now!
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jul 5, 2015 15:58:37 GMT
The blurb is up on the blog now with all the little tidbits and notes for me to keep in mind for the next toolbox. I have some orders to clear through that will probably take up most of this coming week but I'm definitely down for working with ya'll to develop your own toolboxes. We can keep the general idea and change up the materials/dimensions/details to match anything you've got in mind. Just drop me a line here on the boards or through Etsy with what you have in mind. ^_^
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Post by joatmoniac on Jul 6, 2015 4:02:49 GMT
Awesome blurb on your blog. Everyone that has interest in this thread should definitely go check it out. If nothing else for the awesome pics of the finished prototype in all its glory. I know that at some point soon we will be working on one for me!
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Post by friartook on Jul 6, 2015 13:47:53 GMT
Ok, I take a break from the forums for a couple days, and come back to a rampant explosion of awesomeness on this thread!
Tesla: The box looks absolutely amazing! If you can really keep the price range where you intend, there's a very good chance I'll purchase one. I am thoroughly impressed with your workmanship! I think removing the lid compartment was a great idea. The size of the box is now much more manageable and the lid seemed a bit extraneous to me anyway.
Color me excited and impressed!
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jul 6, 2015 17:40:05 GMT
Just doing some back of the napkin numbers, if I were to use this same pattern with 1/8" fiberboard all around and 1" buckles instead of those big lock clasps then the price would sit right around $64. I'll need to do another draft to be absolutely sure of the math (changing the fiberboard changes some of the geometry) but it's a pretty good sign. The goatskin lining the binding is the priciest part of the equation but it worked out so well I'd be really reluctant to use anything else. I've got enough for at least one more box but I think I'll be picking up another side of it the next time I have the opportunity.
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Post by joatmoniac on Jul 7, 2015 2:33:36 GMT
That's at least three boxes in your future it would seem. Man coming back to this after a few days away would be freaking crazy, haha. I know I'll need a little time to decide this feature v that feature. Too much awesome to decide without some serious thought behind it.
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