Lizzie Edwards - Project 1: Building with Hand Tools

Process:

Using Fusion 360, I created a 3D design of my tote design with the measurements I would cut out of the supplied 11.75 x 96 x 0.75 in stock board. With the finished tutorial on using Fusion 360, I used the base structure of the tote as a starting point for my own design. I changed some of the measurements and type of handle to create my design. I created it to have four compartments and a thin handle to store some of my crafting supplies since I already have a tool bag. Once my design was complete, I printed it out with the measurements and began drawing out the pieces on the board. When I had completed every pencil line, I began cutting. I used every machine until I decided that my favorite is the band saw in the back. With my cut pieces, I started thinking about the order I would put the pieces together and which side should face out to make sanding easier. I decided that most pieces needing sanding before putting it together, but I had to make sure that I was sanding them down so that they would still fit together. After the pieces were all sanded I began constructing. I had to use clamps to hold pieces together while I drilled holes and then drilled in the screws. The hardest part was figuring out where to drill the holes, but I think I did a pretty good job making sure the integrity of the tote was strong with my placement of the screws. Once the entire thing was put together, minus the handle, I sanded the sides and edges with a hand sander. When that was complete and it was smooth, I put together the handle. Most people would finish here, but since I have some leftover pink wood stain, I stained the tote pink. I think it looks so much better this way. Now I can keep it on my crafting table and it will look nice. I might even go back and paint some little designs on it. 

Result:

I liked the size of the tutorial tote drawing, so I kept it around the same but included larger divisions in the tote with a handle that would get in the way slightly less. I looked at a lot of wooden tote designs online and on Pinterest to try to find what I liked the best visually. I found that a lot of them had the same type of handle that the tutorial had, but I didn't exactly like it. I like the design I made because to me it almost resembles a picnic basket. It makes for a better display of what I will put in there since there is not a divider in the middle. 

During the construction I had to ask a lot of questions and brainstorm the best way to carry it out. I am very prone to jumping into my projects and coming across many issues that cannot be fixed. This time I tried to take my time in making sure I was doing everything the "right" way by putting the pieces together without drilling and seeing the best way to do the job. 

Reflection:

I think that drawing out the pieces on the stock board was a learning curve because I had to account for the width of the blades I would be using to cut. This was only a small issue when I actually started construction of the tote because I was able to sand any pieces that were not right. I think my number one failure was drilling the holes for the screws and finding the right placement based on integrity and other screws. I did drill two or three holes that I had to abandon because I had not looked closely enough at my previous screws. But in the end I was not able to see them without close inspection. Another thing I had a problem with was drilling the screws too far in. I hadn't realized that the drill was on the highest speed when I started on the base, so I have a few screws that went in further than they should have. I now know to check the drill speed before starting. I was actually pretty surprised that all of my pieces fit almost perfectly together. It was something I was very nervous about, but I think it looks really good. The last thing I think that didn't work out great was the handle. Because I had to use just one screw for each side of the top of the handle, it could be prone to spinning over time. I realized later that I could have used some wood glue to reinforce it, but I don't think I will use it enough to ever break it. 

Photos:

Pondering my first move...

The first step of construction was to make the base.

This is my favorite machine because it cuts fast and it's easy to use.

Sanding the pieces was very tedious but makes for a nice finished product.

Here is my finished PINK product!