My 10 tube Blakeslee efforts

[PvtGreg]

The block so far....






                                           (Re-Posted by Two Flints)

[panhead pete]

How do Pvt. Greg,

The block looks great.  nice job.

What are you going to use for tubes? 

PhP

[Two Flints]

Pvt Greg,

C'mon more details on how you drilled those beautiful holes in that block of wood    Just a great job so far   Give us the details as you progress with the rest of the Blakeslee.

Two Flints

[PvtGreg]

Well Two Flints, I cheated.

My 6 tube was sections of wood (12) drilled with a forsner bit, then glued together then reamed out again by a spade bit.  You have to re-ream the glued together block because of regardless of how careful you are, the holes get out of align.

I tried to do the same with the ten tube, but the holes are too close and the spade bit will break out the wood.

Then I had a brain wave - instead of a solid block with 14 sections of wood individually drilled, I did a 3 in section of wood (3 - 1in sections glued together) and then drilled out the holes.  The bottom is a section of solid wood cut to pattern and covered with a leather cutout.  I then used 1/4 by 2in by 12in sections of popular hobby wood and covered the box with the 3in section at the top and the 1in bottom section at the bottom.  I used wood filler for the corners.

If I had better equipment I would have mitered the corners, but the wood filler works pretty good.  For the holes - I drew a pattern out on graph paper and glued it on the block before I drilled.

[PvtGreg]

Next step - The cover in un-dyed leather.  I haven't water formed and shrunk it yet.

[PvtGreg]

Dyed with attachments.  Still have to do the top.

BTW - the originals had a spring loaded hinge attaching the top.  Any idea where I might get one?  I've looked at the hardware stores but the spring loaded hinges there are too big and too bulky.   Thanks

[Two Flints]

PvtGreg,

Looks great.  However, you will have to send the finished 10 tube Blakeslee to me for closer inspection, which should take, maybe 4 to 5 years

Two Flints

[panhead pete]

PvtGreg,

Looking good, Sir.  Try Ohio Travel Bag.  The
y have all kinds of purse, belt and other leather goods accessories.

What did you use for tubes?  They appear to be aluminum.

PhP

[SGT John Chapman]

I just thought to use a "Piano Hinge" and cut it to length,....if you really wanted it spring loaded put a little torsion spring of some sortin, in place of half a hinge space in about the center.....

[PvtGreg]

I got the tubes from Brunner Enterprises and they are aluminium.
Cat# R12.05; 3/4x .050 Round Tube   Stock# : R12.05   3/4" O.D. Tube w/ .050" wall   4 - 4 ft. lengths   $26.56 including shipping
   
I used a pipe cutter to cut them, initially to 12".  I forget the length they are now, but I sized then by using 7 1.62" length blanks and then cut ~ 3/4" above the top of the last blank.  Interestingly the pipe cutter slight;y crimped the ends where it cut enough for me not to have to plug the ends.  I did have to sand the other end however so the shells can go in and out.

[panhead pete]

Thanks for the reply PvtGreg.  Looking real good thus far, Amigo.

[PvtGreg]

SGT John,

I've been thinking about spring loaded vs non-spring loaded and given the way the lid flips directly back at you a hinge that doesn't keep it open would just flop close all the time.  To get a tube out you'd have to use two hands all the time.

What do you think?

[SGT John Chapman]

I think just the hinge, in most cases, would be stiff enough to hold itself open, or closed....if not,...crimp one of the sections just a bit.

with a spring I see the thing constantly open and in the way if you don't positively have it latched

[PvtGreg]

You know that would work.  Thanks a lot.

[SGT John Chapman]

It's going to cost ya,.......Your going to have to post more pics as you progress......

[PvtGreg]

Tops on - I crimped the hinge and it seems to work.  I have some "tuning" to do (trim around the hinge etc.) and have to add the latch.






                                               (Photos re-posted by Two Flints)

[Two Flints]

Hi,

Just posting these photos of a ten tube Blakeslee on Ebay for a BUY IT NOW price of $5,000.00 as a reference and comparison to PvtGreg's very own fantastic    reproduction of a 10 tube Blakeslee.










                                          (Posted by Two Flints)

Two Flints

[PvtGreg]

Thanks Two Flints. 

I've been looking at these photos while I did my box, but didn't notice the glaring error I made on the upper attachment point!!!

Live and learn.  I still think its a good first effort.  I learned a lot.

I'll be doing one more for a pard I have a tremendous amount of respect for.  I plan on a more detailed set of photos for that one.

Thanks to all of you for the kind comments and helpful suggestions.

[Two Flints]

PvtGreg,

Can you provide more info on the hinge setup you used on your 10 Tube Blakeslee?  What length hinge, if you used a piano type hinge?

I came across this type of piano hinge    but probably won't be authentic enough for you

Here is the description:  3'' Width X 3/4'' Height Inside Stop Hinge, Brass Finish: 
These hinges are steel brass plated and have a built in stop to keep the lid of your box open. Perfect for jewelry or display boxes and an economical hinge for a cigar humidor. Uses #2 Screws, sold sepeartely This hinge is also available in 1", 2" and 4.5" by special order.

Two Flints

[SGT John Chapman]

In picture 3 posted by Two Flints, you can see the hing/spring arrangement,....looks to have been two of the hinge barrels have been kept straight and oppose two flat springs which are cut into and more than likely anchored to the wood,.....