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Old 12-15-2006, 11:42 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Russell
A few more questions about this very cool and very expensive box that I dream about buying, even though I probably won't...
* How much more would shipping/tax/etc add to the price?
* Can you switch the light off with the sliding switch, or just dim the lights?
* How heavy is it?
* Do you need to stick velcro on the back of the Sony Reader for the box to hold it well?

(Sorry if they were covered already and I didn't read through the thread carefully enough.)

BTW, it's too bad that they can't be on display at places like the Hollywood Sony Style or Borders... gotta figure the rich and famous would grab one and not even blink at the cost!
Thanks for your interest Bob!
Shipping depends of the distance you live from Montreal. Houston cost $23. I have no idea about US taxes. A good carrier like Fedex usually can help with this. And I add $5.00 for boxing.
There are two switches onboard. One is manual and the other is a cover controlled failsafe. As soon as you close the cover everything's off.
I weighs about a kilo boxed(2.2lbs)
The finished box has a felt covered metal bracket maintaining the top. When I get a reader for measurements I will add a sliding pin that will enter the lanyard slot and lock there. The reader will be maintained in even if you flip the box while it is upside down, while open.

I'd like to be rich too but it won't be with this project!
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Old 12-15-2006, 12:12 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Russell
* How heavy is it?
The box (with Reader) is about the same weight as the Harry Potter #6 hardback.
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Old 12-15-2006, 01:01 PM   #18
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Really nice, Yvan!

Regarding the comment about weight... there may be other choices of woods that will provide beauty and strength, but with lighter weight. Bamboo can be very attractive, and it's a very renewable resource!

Also, I realize your forte may be woodworking, but perhaps composite materials could also provide a nice shell. I've heard a lot in the last decade about creating faux-wood objects using crushed walnut shells mixed in a paste (of what, I don't remember). Advantages are, you're recycling waste walnut shells, not chopping down trees (not that that's really at issue here), you're working with molds instead of shaping wood, and variations in the mix can result in different "wood" appearances and textures.

Just throwing that out...
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Old 12-15-2006, 01:07 PM   #19
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I have to share why I did this project.

First, The protective dad in me was surprised by the fact so many people wanted lighting and wanted to try my hand at it and fix it.

Second, protecting something so precious to our affections ie. a tool for reading. I tried to figure out a way to carry it a well.

Third, the worst, totally egotistical, I wanted one for myself...when Sony decides to... This is why I'm not bothered by the initial investment. I can just imagine what it cost SONY for theirs in the R&D of the reader.

There is a box in the works that will be more affordable.
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Old 12-15-2006, 01:24 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Jordan
Really nice, Yvan!

Regarding the comment about weight... there may be other choices of woods that will provide beauty and strength, but with lighter weight. Bamboo can be very attractive, and it's a very renewable resource!

Also, I realize your forte may be woodworking, but perhaps composite materials could also provide a nice shell. I've heard a lot in the last decade about creating faux-wood objects using crushed walnut shells mixed in a paste (of what, I don't remember). Advantages are, you're recycling waste walnut shells, not chopping down trees (not that that's really at issue here), you're working with molds instead of shaping wood, and variations in the mix can result in different "wood" appearances and textures.

Just throwing that out...
Good comments Steve.
First, as an environmently concious person I have Bamboo in high regard. Unfortunately it can not be used in such a project because of size. It has to be laminated and there are stability issues.

Second, plastics are the only materials rigid and light enough to replace woods. A plastic box could be quite nice.

Third, composites are much heavyer than woods because of density, all these crushed particles are responsible. Wood is an organized structure of empty cells formerly filled with water and liquid nutrients, they keep their shape after drying. The worst thing in composites is the glue that binds things, it is made of urea formaldehyde which is very toxic. Think it over when you buy something made of MDF or presswood. If they could be made in a better way I'd be the first to use them. But this is not the place to discuss such things!
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Old 12-19-2006, 07:25 AM   #21
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True... I was just thinking about the weight issue. I didn't realize all laminates were that heavy compared to woods. (That's what happens when you skip high school woodworking classes to take drafting, I guess...)
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Old 12-19-2006, 09:13 AM   #22
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That's OK Steve.

In our willingness to preserve nature we (society)take steps that are not necessarily in the "better" direction. We depend on biased industry studies to make such decision. When we wake up, these companies are gone, their owners rich, and large chunks of nature are gone forever. Wood is naturally repleted; the only responsible thing to be done is to maintain a use in accordance with its ecology, every part of it.
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Old 12-19-2006, 09:35 AM   #23
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Natch or yvan, can you please post measurements of the box? I'm curious how much bigger it makes the reader. From the pictures it looks like there is quite a bit of "dead" felt around the edges, is there a reason for that?

Also, is the one in yvan's avatar the same as Natch took pictures of? yvan's looks much richer, a more natural woodtone, Natch's looks more banded with the black grain standing out much more. Are you planning to use different woods yvan?

Does the lid stay "up" on it's own, or must it be held/balanced in some way?
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Old 12-19-2006, 10:22 AM   #24
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I'm in a training class today, or I'd measure it right now, I'll try to do this when I get home tonight (made a note in my Pilot ), that is, if Yvan hasn't already posted them in the meantime.

The lid does stay up on it's own pretty well, when the hinge screws are tensioned properly (see the note in the review about these screws & white glue for more details).

The extra width is necessary for structural strength, 'cause wood requires more thickness for the same amount of strength compared to metal or plastic.

The box in Yvan's avatar is indeed the same one, the differences in appearance are most likely due to differences in lighting, camera and the the photographer himself. If you like Yvan's avatar better, then clearly he's the better photographer.
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Old 12-19-2006, 12:18 PM   #25
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The difference in tone and colour is based on the fact that I don't use flashes. I rely on longer exposure times. It's the only way I could photograph acurately the box under it's own lighting. Also the use of a black backdrop is a huge help for the camera's adjustments. Having done my site, I've been delving in photography for some time and I've photographed my furniture for about 25 odd years with all types of cameras. In my craft photos are a big marketing must. The two black stripes are a different wood, grenadille or blackwood.

There are several reasons for the size. NatCh pointed out structural strength which is the more important. Then there is space for the tracklights(just over the dead felt that keeps the reader from moving), the battery compartment, hinging mechanism and closure system. The rest is for visual aspect, mainly for the "ovalesque" shape to take place without infringing on solidity of structure.
The measurements are 10 3/8" long by 7 1/2" wide by 7/8" thick for this box. Production ones will be 9 7/8" long, the others the same.
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Old 12-25-2006, 08:38 PM   #26
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Would you entertain a different custom design ? Although not right now (broke) a short while in the future I would like to get a box made but I want something much smaller (IE not much bigger than the reader itself) but that is VERY strong (ie resistant to crushing to protect the screen) Mahogany would be dreamy but I am not sure how well mahogany does "thin"

Very very cool work man! I might even try my own hand at making one!

and that wood is phenomenal !

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Old 01-25-2007, 05:23 PM   #27
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Update

Well! I've built a few more…

Here is a picture showing some new colors. These are the natural colors of the woods I feature. I hate stains, they don't repair well, which defeats durability. All of them feature Blackwood or Granadillo as the accent strip and the track lights.

In order at the top left is Mexican purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.)
Top right is African Mahogany (Khaya Ivorensis)
Lower left is the Zebrano you've already seen.
Lower center is Satinee or Bloodwood (Brosimum Paraence)
And lower right American Walnut (Juglans Nigra)

I have made some changes to the battery compartment. It now comes out by inserting both your indexes on top where the safe switch is and pulling towards you. The little battery box is fitted with springed berrings at each end that serve also as the contacts. When it's out, on it's right side you remove the two tiny screws (with a #0 flat screwdriver)of the copper top to have access to three AAA batteries. Of course and of preference, you can use rechargeables.

I felt that the box being wood it needed an organic touch, so I have upgraded the strap to two leather beauties. A short one that can serve as a handle and the other one as a shoulder tote. Both of them can easily be removed by loosening two polished brass screws.

To me the best improvement is the fact that the reader is better maintained in place by powerful 3/8"rare earth magnets. I've placed two pair in relation to the position you choose to put the Reader in. And I've groved holes for the reader's little feet at the right places.

One of the pictures shows you the box opened on it's back lighted only on it's own power. I got to tell you it's a great reading experience…In that configuration you can, with the longer strap around your neck, read standing up with the box partly resting on your lower chest. It won't stay by itself but it will take most of the weight off your hands. And of course as in the picture. You can read flat on your back without holding the reader, but you can't go far past 90 degrees cause it'll start to tilt towards you. In this position there is absolutely no glare from the LEDs.

The problem with the backthreading of the tension in the hinge screws has been easily fixed. The longer(for more friction) insert nut was epoxied in place and the polished brass screws have been 'loctited' with a medium strength compound. No trouble up to date.
The new size is : 7.5" wide by 9.75" long by.875" thick and weigh is 22 to 32 oz.(depending on type of wood) with included AAA alcaline batteries and straps.
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Old 01-25-2007, 05:36 PM   #28
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Very, nice, Yvan! Using the spring-loaded ball bearings for the battery contacts is particularly clever.

It does, indeed, look like you've covered all the issues we found in the prototype.
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Old 01-26-2007, 09:00 AM   #29
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A funny thing happened yesterday.

After a good shower late evening I decided to go up and read with a lighted box because I assumed my wife was sound asleep. I slipped in my pajamas, strapped a box over my shoulder so I could feed the cats and got up to the room. But my wife was not yet sleeping. She turned around to look at me, stalled, smiled and broke into a laugh. I asked what was so funny. She managed to pause long enough to say .
"You look like doctor McCoy with your blue shirt and your tricorder!"
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Old 01-26-2007, 09:44 AM   #30
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I'm suprised the magnets that large/strong don't mess with the Reader. I thought flash memory like SD/memory stick was susceptible to magnetic fields like hard drives?
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