MOTM

--- In motm@y..., jwbarlow@a... wrote:
> Of all the designs I've seen or heard about, I have to admit (as
> humiliating as it is to do) I like Bradley's the best. I've always
> preferred that "C" shape to a standard straight or sloped cabinet. 
> Maybe he'd be so kind as to put up some plans on his hot rod site. 
> I'm also very interested in finding out how he was able to get an 
> accurate drilling guide for his wood rails which will have inserts. 

Well, let's see...

I'll be glad to post some case details when it's all over. I think it 
is going to be extremely cool looking, and very ergonomic as well.

Having said that, it's also going to be complicated to build the 
cabinet, and will stretch my woodworking skills in new directions.

I'm currently working on the problem of mounting the double sets of 
rails together. Due to the angled panels, there are 3 double sets of 
rails at row intersections that are angled with respect to each 
other. I have to cut a wedge shaped piece at exactly the right 
angles, to mount the 2 rails together to form one compound double 
rail at an exact angle. So far, I haven't come up with a saw jig that 
allows me to make the cuts as precisely as I need. After solving 
that, I can start hacking on the wooden side pieces. I intend to dry 
fit the entire case together, using biscuits to hold it in place.

To make my rails, I took brass inserts and pine 1 x 2 boards. I found 
that a harder wood like oak would cause the soft brass to deform and 
break as I tried to screw them in. I marked the horizontal hole 
placement manually by measuring. I left each rail 1/16" long at each 
end so that the end modules won't rub the case sides. The vertical 
positioning was not marked, but a jig was made on my drill press so 
that the holes were all drilled uniformly. I drilled a small pilot 
hole first, because it's easier to accurately hit a pencilled line 
with a small bit. I found that when screwing the inserts in later, 
they walked around a bit anyway. The module holes have enough slack 
in them that you only have to be semi-precise with your placement.

Moe