Rounded basket - no glue required
The Creator Spark Challenge
Instruction
Information
A rounded basket using flexible design. You don't require any glue for assembly.
It may be a bit difficult to put together but it looks very interesting.
Instruction
Step1: Laser cut the pieces
Cut out all of the pieces. Make sure the flexible parts are cut all the way through so they can flex properly.
Make sure there aren't any damages or imperfections in the wood of flexible pieces. Due to how the box is put together it may break during assembly.
You don't need to use glue for assembly but you can still use it on the ends for a more durable part.
Step2: Preprocessing
Even though the flexible panels should flex any imperfections in the wood may cause them to break. You can take several measures to minimize this.
Using heat you can soften the wood to make it even easier to bend. You can use pure heat but the best way probably is to use steam. Steaming the pieces for some time will soften them. The longer you steam them the softer they will become. I recommend you do this step.
This should be quite simple to achieve at home. Do not soak the wood in water, only steam it.
Alternatively you can use only heat (not too much of it) but I found that steam works better.
Step3: Assemble the bottom part
You should start assembly immediately after steaming. If you work fast the wood will stay flexible enough for the whole assembly.
I found it easiest to start in the middle of the flexible panel. Then work your way to one end and then to the other. The closer you get to the end the harder it will get. You can pull slightly on the flexible panel to stretch it around the bend.
Install the middle piece first. This will keep the general shape of the box.
Next install the side pieces. With them I recommend you place it on top of the flexible panel and start pressing it in from one side. The middle piece will help with keeping the shape but you may still need to bend it a bit.
The flexible panel should stay in place. But to make it even more durable you can apply a bit of glue to the ends.
It may happen that the flexible panel will break. This may be due to imperfections in the wood, making it too stiff. Don't worry and simply cut out a new piece and try again.
You can try to assemble the part without the middle piece.
Step4: Assemble the cover
To assemble the cover follow the same steps as for the bottom part.
As this part doesn't have as large of a curve it will be easier to put together. But you can still steam the flexible piece to make it easier to bend.
Maybe you can even assemble this part first to get used to it.
The handle also simply presses in to the cover.
To make the part more durable you can use a bit of glue on the ends and for the handle.
Then just put the cover on to the bottom part and you are done.
