Introduction: Unusual Wooden Pencil Box With Steampunk Engraving / Tambour

By GitHub
About: Hi, I’m Kostiantyn, also known as TimberRough on social media. I’m a software developer who finds peace in crafting projects by hand, especially with wood, LEDs, and microcontrollers. I love inventing and brin…

Introducing one more open-source laser cut project from TimberRough - Unusual Wooden Pencil Box with Steampunk Engraving and a tambour door.

In this comprehensive tutorial, I'll walk you through the entire process of bringing this intriguing design to life and assembling the unique tambour door mechanism.

Whether you're a seasoned woodworker or just starting out, this project offers a perfect blend of creativity and functionality.

So, grab your materials, and let's get started on crafting your very own Wooden Pencil Box!


The video is about the process of making

Unusual Wooden Pencil Box With Steampunk Engraving / Tambour


#pencilbox #woodworking #lasercutting #laserengraving #steampunk #diy

Supplies

Tools:


  • DIY Laser cutter/engraver 520x520mm, 5.5w
  • Clamps
  • Sandpaper: 120 / 220 / 320 grit


Materials:


  • Cherry sliced veneer 2.5 mm
  • Alder/Oak sliced veneer 4.5mm
  • Old roller blinds fabric (or other fabric)
  • Glue: Titebond 2, 3M Scotch-Weld Fastbond 30, CA Glue + Activator
  • Oil: Tundra oil with Carnauba
  • Wax - Beeswax

GitHub Link

Step 1: Download Sources and Laser -engrave -Cut

Before laser cutting, I polished the veneer with 220-grit sandpaper

  • Images for engraving
  • SVG for laser cut

Attention, when you laser cut the blinds (for tambour), make sure that they are laid in the same direction with the wood fibers, otherwise they will not be strong

Attachments

Step 2: Glue the Decorative Elements With Sides

I used clamps to fix them together.

Step 3: Glue the Drawer

I used masking tape to fix the sides and then weight.

Step 4: Glue Decorative Part to the Front of the Drawer.

Step 5: Sand Burning Edges With Sandpaper

I used a table with sandpaper to sand the drawer.

Step 6: Attach a Small Piece of Wood As a Handle

I used a small screw, a toothpick and glue will work well too.

Step 7: Create a Frame for Tambour Blinds

I used small slats that I glued with CA glue to masking tape, Just to easily release them later and re-use them for another project.

Step 8: Position the Blinds in to the Frame

It is necessary to turn all the blinds upside down.

Protect 5mm from the edge of the blinds with masking tape.

Step 9: Cut the Fabric 80mm Wide

I used fabric from old window rolls.

Step 10: Apply Contact Adhesive to the Fabric and Tambour Blinds

I used: 3M Scotch-Weld Fastbond 30 contact adhesive.

Mix the glue thoroughly.

Need to wait 15-30 minutes until the glue dries.

Step 11: Glue the Fabric to the Tambour Blinds.

Attention! Carefully and accurately position the fabric; if it touches the roller blinds, it will stick immediately.

When working with contact glue, pressure matters, so I used a rubber scraper to press it across the entire plane.

Step 12: Release the Tambour Blinds

Make a cut along the length of the fabric.

Remove the masking tape.

Trim off any excess fabric.

Rotate up-down the roller blind joints a bit.

Step 13: Cut Off the Excess Part of the Tambour Blind

Place tambour blinds in to the groove.

Place the drawer and locate the length you need.

Step 14: Glue Tambour Blinds With the Drawer

  • Temporary assemble box
  • Insert tambour blinds
  • Insert the inner section to the left side
  • Insert the right side
  • Place the wooden glue on the edge of the tambour blinds.
  • * I used drop of CA glue + Activator for a better fix
  • Detach drawer together with tambour blinds

Step 15: Oil the Tambour Blinds and Drawer

I used mix of mineral oil and wax.

Step 16: Place Beeswax Into the Groove for the Left and Right Sides of the Box.

I found it very useful, otherwise it almost do not want to move ;)

Step 17: Glue Sides

  • Place wood glue into the joints-holes on the left side * do not place too much glue, to prevent glue of moving parts.
  • Insert the inner section to the left side .
  • Insert tambour blinds and drawer.
  • Place wooden glue into the joints-holes of right side.
  • Press sides together.
  • Secure this configuration with the clamps.



Step 18: Glue the Bottom

  • Place wood glue into the joints-holes on the bottom side * do not place too much glue, to prevent glue of moving parts.
  • Place beeswax on the bottom part * also very helps
  • Place the bottom side to the place
  • Use weight to secure the configuration.


Step 19: Finish With Mix of Oil and Wax

Step 20: Final Result