My Palmbox is finished...

Lemonhead · #1 05-31-2004, 03:49 AM

Hello,
I am new here somewhat, and I like plein air painting. I couldn't afford some of the equipment for this though. So I built my own, and now I really apreciate my equipment also. Here is the finished pochade box. Its approx. 8" x 10.5" modified from an old cigar box($5.00) at local craftstore. I studied pochade boxes on this forum, then built a prototype, and tested it. I sold that one, and made a more refined box. Yes, I studied Opem Box M also, I wish I could afford their palmbox! It cost me arround $25.00 to make (not including the oil varnish and woodstain I borrowed, leftovers from other family projects). It took about a week to sand, stain, and varnish the wood. Then it took about four hours to install the brass hardware. I know not very many people are handy with wood or tools but it is easier than you think, if you just sit down and try to accomplish it. I used a regular drill, hammer, screwdriver, glue, ruler, utility knife, and soldering iron. No fancy equipment, this can actually be done to almost any cigar-type box. I can use this on my lap or on a tripod. It will hold panels that are 7" to 10.5" (5x7, 6x8,8x10,9x12,12x10). The palette is removable to clean off oil paint (a piece of non-glare glass).

I bought a panel carrier from Raymar, and will test that out. If that doesn't work out I will end up making my own, I have been reading up on those here also.

I would like to get out and paint now, and will post those in the future. This a great forum and I am glad I found it. Lots to learn here!
Thanks for viewing my thread.

PS- The painting in the picts below is my first experimentation with water soluable oil paints (Artisan), and I don't really like the feel of it. So I will go back to using oils.

Dharma_bum · #2 05-31-2004, 04:18 AM

Beautiful job on the box. About the water soluable oils, before you chuck them, try mixing just a little Grumbacher Max QuickDry medium into your paint piles before you start. I had the same dislike for the feel, but found they handle much better with a touch of the medium. I don't use water to thin them much, but the medium gets rid of that sticky quality so they handle much like regular oils.

LadyJane65 · #3 05-31-2004, 05:34 AM

How attractive. These are almost identical to the ones Lorelu makes. Great minds think alike!! Handy little sucker, isn't it!!

LJ

Tony Perrotta · #4 05-31-2004, 06:38 AM

WOW great job, Looks like a pro made it. you will get alot of use out of it I'm sure. How is the panel held in place?

Regards Tony

LarrySeiler · #5 05-31-2004, 07:53 AM

I have a couple wooden cigar boxes I intended to fix up...got a nice sturdy hinge set up on one. These images are an encouragement to get those babies done. A project for the summer months. Nice going!!!

I found your top that holds the panel intriguing. Appears to be spring loaded, right? And, did you order the tripod mount for the bottom of your box?

yep..now ya gotta get out there, you're all set!

Larry

JamieWG · #6 05-31-2004, 10:14 AM

Lemonhead, it looks wonderful! I have one of the cigar pochade boxes that Lorelou makes and I use it all the time. It has a tripod mount, but I haven't used the mount yet. I use it a lot in my car! Also, if I want to scoot out somewhere and do a quick, small painting, it's perfect. Although I always stand when I paint with my easel, for the little pochades I've started using this stool and sitting with the box on my lap. The box fits right in the pocket of this pack stool, along with a few other supplies:

I can walk into a park and have everything with me including my chair, and it's very lightweight. I figure that if I'm going to set up a tripod, I may as well just set up my easel instead and have the advantage of using a larger canvas.

Initially, I thought I'd use it on occasion in bad weather, but I'm finding myself using it more and more. It seems that for anything smaller than 11x14, I go right to the pochade box.

Jamie

Lemonhead · #7 05-31-2004, 02:08 PM

Thanks for looking everyone.

Dharma_bum-I haven't thrown them out yet, and thanks for the tip. I will have to pick up a jar of that and try using it.

LadyJane65-Thanks! Yes, I did study her box also. She has got quite a selection of them on her site. I almost bought one but I wanted to try and make one myself first.

Tony Perrotta & LarrySeiler- The panel holder is spring loaded, I found that the Open Box M-like spring holder was better than making a slot for the panels to slide into. Plus you have more panel size options this way. I'm not sure how their (OBM) spring clamp is made. Mine is very simple and easy to construct. I have included pictures of the panel holder below. I also have a picture of the inside of the lid so you can see exactly how it works (this is from my first box which I have simplified the design in the second box).

LarrySeiler-The tripod mount is just a T-nut that I hammered into the bottom support board.

JamieWG- Thats a great looking chair where do you get one at? It looks comfortable, and I might pick one up in the future.

Thanks for the comments!!

LeeHaber · #8 05-31-2004, 02:30 PM

Great work. I like the fact that you added the spring device (like Open Box M has ) you can get more space between the palette and the canvas. Ingenious!!!

Pilan · #9 05-31-2004, 03:52 PM

I have got to build one of things. fantastic structure.

thanks

Jamie, yes lady where did you get your chair????

JamieWG · #10 05-31-2004, 04:00 PM

Pilan and Lemonhead, here you go:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-su.../0048249000000

Dick Blick has them too, and you can choose your color there! They are more expensive, but you can always ask them if they'll match the price. (Assuming they will, I'd always rather do business with DB.) Be sure to get the "extendo" version with the adjustable height.
http://www.dickblick.com/zz500/33/pr...m=0&ig_id=2876

Jamie

Katherine J · #11 05-31-2004, 04:40 PM

Incredible box. I'm so impressed with what you've done. You could go into business doing these! Enjoy the plein air.

Katherine

Marc Hanson · #12 05-31-2004, 05:38 PM

Beautiful piece of work Lemonhead! Lot's of us make our boxes...BUT the spring panel holder too!!! Womnderful.

bobreeves · #13 06-01-2004, 10:21 AM

Great job. I really like the spring clip. Going to have to try to make one.

Bob

Brie · #14 07-16-2004, 03:29 AM

What a beautiful box. I am very impressed.

Could you possibly elaborate on how you simplified the design for the spring-loaded device on the second box, and on the hardware you used?

I think you could sell plans if you wanted to.

Thanks. - Briè

midcoast · #15 07-16-2004, 02:01 PM

Lemonhead -

What a wonderful box!! Excellent job!!

Nancy

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