The Ultimate Machine - part 3

The external staining is done, the lacquer has dried and the box is ready to be reassembled. I'm still a little peeved that I decided to take the box apart for staining, rather than doing it while assembled because I did not want to risk discolouring the screws. But regardless, the parts look gorgeous now, though a little distorted from the staining process - it's not much, but enough to set the edges off ever so slightly.

After the lacquer had dried I looked over the parts, and determined that they were ready for reassembly yesterday night. Gleefully I put the various parts back together, and watched as the box grew back into shape. I think (and hope) you all will agree that whilst it is not perfectly aligned, or perfectly even, it does look very good. Unfortunately I don't have the proper means to take photographs that do justice to the wonderful richness of the dark cherry combined with the high gloss lacquer, but at least you get an idea from these shots.

The box is reassembled, and you can just about make out the shine and reflections from the sides. I hope I can set up a proper (albeit temporary) photography "booth" somewhere in the house for when the machine is completed and take some final shots for you, but for now these will have to do.

Here you can see how the staining has thrown off the lid by just a mm or two, not a lot, but enough to leave something of a gap. It's really not a big deal, and we'll see when the electronics and mechanics are in place, if I may decide to put a brass strip over the gap - or something like that.

The insides has not yet been stained, but I am planning to do it for consistency, however, I will not lacquer the insides.

And here's a final shot of the finished box with the plaque nailed to the lid. Was I right or what? The brass looks gorgeous against the dark cherry stained and lacquered wood.

This was all I had for this update, but I'll see you again in part 4 quite soon. I'm just awaiting the delivery of the ever important timing chips, and hopefully it'll arrive today or tomorrow. Well, it'll have to arrive by saturday because this is intended to be a birthday present, and as such it must be completed by next tuesday.