Like many of us, I have a problem throwing wood away and I am always looking for ways to make interesting things out of it.
Enter a decorative way to use up small scraps of wood.  This pattern was done in poplar (with a lot of color variation).

The stock was rough cut and then milled by hand to 1/8” x 1/2”, joints for the frame were cut by hand with a pull saw, and the angles for the pattern pieces were done using a jig and a really sharp chisel.  The angles are 45º, 22.5º, and 67.5º and everything is friction fit.    This has been a fun project, I learned a lot, and figured out a new way to use up scraps.
 

Awesome precision!

Where do you start and finish adding the pieces?

Very nice.   

Danl

9 hours ago, FrederickH said:

Where do you start and finish adding the pieces?

1. Start with the frame.  There are 6 pieces each with 3 notches that interlock to form the frame.
2. Fit the diagonals (4) from the center to the corners of the frame.  Each end is cut at 90º with 2 45º bevels.
3. Fit the hinges.  Start with the 22.5º end and then use the 67.5º to trim the other end until the 22.5º bevel lies flat against the diagonals and the 67.5º ends are flat against each other. Do all 16.
4. Cut the notch for the locks in the end of the hinges again using the 67.5º jig but flipping them and cutting ~2/3 down.
5. Fit the lock pieces between the hinge pieces and the corner, each piece is cut to 90º using 2 45º bevels.

 

 

33 minutes ago, StaticLV2 said:

1. Start with the frame.  There are 6 pieces each with 3 notches that interlock to form the frame.
2. Fit the diagonals (4) from the center to the corners of the frame.  Each end is cut at 90º with 2 45º bevels.
3. Fit the hinges.  Start with the 22.5º end and then use the 67.5º to trim the other end until the 22.5º bevel lies flat against the diagonals and the 67.5º ends are flat against each other. Do all 16.
4. Cut the notch for the locks in the end of the hinges again using the 67.5º jig but flipping them and cutting ~2/3 down.
5. Fit the lock pieces between the hinge pieces and the corner, each piece is cut to 90º using 2 45º bevels.

 

 

Excellent description!!! The main frame has 4 perfect square spaces? Thank you.

Edited February 18, 20251 yr by FrederickH

Very cool and creative Michael. Thanks for sharing the project and details.

If you cut them accurately all 4 spaces are the same.  
My first attempt was a failure in this regard.

3rd attempt at a new pattern, 1st successful attempt.  This one is way harder than it looks!

Can you pick these up from your bench without them falling apart?

Oh yes, they are all friction fit and hold together just fine.  You can spin them around hit them with a sander or a hand plane to even out any imperfections.

Once they are all locked into place they are quite solid and under a little bit of pressure.

Been playing with patterns

Enjoy seeing your creativity Michael. Thanks for sharing.

Getting better slowly.

 

This is demanding!!

Figure I should do an update on this ongoing adventure

 

This is my first attempt at a traditional kumiko lantern. The kumiko panels are scrap poplar left over from my plantation shutter project and the lantern frame is scrap maple and purple heart.  Everything is friction fit no fasteners and very limited glue where i managed to crack a couple of the delicate frames during assembly where the friction fit was a little bit too tight.  All in all, pretty pleased with how this turned out and I suspect that if I keep at it, I will be able to keep my scrap pile at a manageable size.

Wow, that is really neat!

12 hours ago, StaticLV2 said:

Figure I should do an update on this ongoing adventure

 

This is my first attempt at a traditional kumiko lantern. The kumiko panels are scrap poplar left over from my plantation shutter project and the lantern frame is scrap maple and purple heart.  Everything is friction fit no fasteners and very limited glue where i managed to crack a couple of the delicate frames during assembly where the friction fit was a little bit too tight.  All in all, pretty pleased with how this turned out and I suspect that if I keep at it, I will be able to keep my scrap pile at a manageable size.

 

Incredible! I can see where this could become addictive.

That is just plain cool Michael. Amazing talent and patience. Thanks for sharing the journey with us.

Outstanding. Now I see what you have been aiming at. Where did the idea for this originate?

That's fantastic work, Static!