Cardboard is free!: Breakfast bar construction

Welcome to my cardboard craft blog

Whether you are just plain bored or simply too broke to purchase other materials; cardboard is free! Cardboard is such a versitile craft medium that you can make just about anything from it. All you need is a little knowledge about different construction techniques to ignite your own art passion for cardboard. This blog is intended to show the construction techniques I use in my own cardboard crafts. When you learn the secrets of creating strength with cardboard you can create whatever you desire. From simple items like picture frames to extremely large pieces of usable furniture; it will all be possible. Travel along with me as I show you the secrets hidden within the cardboard. Go green or save a tree or just to keep it out of a landfill.... whatever your choice of phrases.... start creating your own cardboard art. If you find this blog helpful, please recommend it to your friends.

If you are new to this blog it's best to read the numbered labels first. ie: 1 - What do you see? 2 - Tools you need etc.

In those labels you will find the basic information you need to get started making your own cardboard furniture and crafts.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Breakfast bar construction - step 1

Now it's time to begin the construction of the breakfast bar. This will be section one of the four. I gathered the boxes I need to start. I've been very lucky that the man who brings me cardboard has double fluted boxes large enough to cut big pieces. Double flutes are stronger but you can use single flute if that's all you can find. Just be sure it's large enough to cut full pieces from it and only build furniture to hold light weight stuff.

I cut one bottom piece, two side pieces, and one back piece. There's no top or front pieces for now. When cutting the side and back pieces I was careful that the flutes go from top to bottom.

I used a metal angle ruler for accuracy when marking the pieces. I want it to be as accurate as possible even though I know it won't be perfect. I used my quilting ruler and a craft knife to cut straight edges.

Next, I marked a line along three sides of the bottom piece that are equal to the thickness of my cardboard. This was to help me put hot glue very quickly along the edge, in the right place, then put the side piece on before it cools.

I forgot to take pictures of the sides being added. I glued one piece at a time. I used a trash can as a brace to hold the piece upright while the glue cooled. Now I have a three sided box with a bottom but no top. I used the water activated tape and put it along the joins of the inside. This creates a stronger bond of the adjoining pieces as well as close up the gap between.

I used my wood rasp to knock off any bumps and ridges on the outside joins. I'm removing excess glue and at the same time creating a softer edge. Hmm... hard to describe this. You want the join to be even and smooth as if it were a piece of sanded wood. It's not necessary to do this with the inside joins.

I used my sanding sponge to further soften the edges.

I put strips of the water activated tape along the outside edges. Do not soften the edges of the bottom piece joins. Only the upright joins on the side and back pieces. The bottom joins will be sanded and taped at a later stage when I add more strength at the bottom. I stopped just short of the bottom edge with the tape. I will cover this area when I finish the bottom piece to connect all the sections.