Summary and Reflection

This project challenged me to use a bandsaw in a variety of new ways. It difficult to make straight long cuts and dado cuts. The nature of the bandsaw leads to the blade drifting from side to side when making a cut. I learned how to reduce drifting by adjusting the blade tension from Richard in the Architecture shop. Sanding these long straight facets was also difficult because it can only increase the dips and waves of the cut. If I were to do the project again I would consider a design with more organic curves and less straight lines. This would allow for drifting in bandsaw cuts, less precise measurements, and easier concealment with sanding. However I was very pleased with the geometric nature of my vessel. I thought that it represented the object well.

I started the project with a very different direction with a hexagonal pencil cup design. I was resistant to considering other designs and input during critiques.  I eventually took the input of my peers and professors and sought to redesign a new vessel to a specific set of objects. The final vessel turned out well and I am very glad that I made the change. In a way that I learned how to let go of a design that emotionally attached to in order to create something better. The end result is much better.

The vessel has great deal of precision in its craftsmanship and design. It has strength in how well the lid hinges and how smooth the action is. The lid also sits at an exact 90 degree angle which compliments the strong vertical edges.  The angled exterior holes are a very unique aspect of the vessel. They provide a beautiful pattern as well a functional mount that is wonderful for use.

The weight and color of the wood also lent itself to the design. Despite lacking a great deal of width, the vessel remains stable do to its weight. I carefully choose highly steepled pieces of walnut with end grain that I could line up. This gives the final block an appearance closer to a solid block at a glance. The magnets used to secure the lid were also carefully placed and calculated. They have enough strength to keep the lid exceedingly secure, while not too much that two hands would be required to open. The magnets were calculated based on the weight of the base.

Weaknesses with the design exist with the pencil holes. The four exterior holes do not line up with the interior holes. The interior holes had to be more compact to fit within the dado lid. The exterior holes looked odd when compressed to line up. I choose to thus offset them. If I were to do the project again would not dado the lid but instead drill holes into lid. This would allow for both the exterior and interior holes to line up and be evenly spaced.

I am very pleased with the vessel. It has strong design to last the years and has been nicely finished. The vessel will hold a treasured possession over the years and will likely become a treasure itself. I can see having this a desk piece throughout my career; reminding of where I have been and where I am going.