Asian style pagota top cabinet, any ideas how to build
I have a client that wants me to build her an Asian style cabinet with a Pagota style top similar to the one in the attached images. The dimensions of the top would be approx 36″wide, 20″ deep. I think the top overall would be about 15″ high to the top of the ball. The curved portion I think would be around 10″ high. The cabinet will be built entirely of a combination of hardwoods then a very dark lacquer, maybe as dark as black applied, some of the edges rubbed through to simulated aging. Some of the highlights will be gold leafed as well. My first instinct is to use a soft easy to shape wood of some kind and then assemble the top from oversize pieces in a sort of “reverse coopered” construction like a wooden barrel is made. I would then have to refine the shape by hand. I have a small pneumatic rotary tool with a variety of burr type heads that does a good job of removing material on concave pieces and also an old Stanley 113 Compass plane that does a good job cleaning up concave surfaces. I am looking for any ideas to speed up, simplify or improve the process and would greatly appreciate your help.
Replies
Pagoda
Have a look at the the Carpentry Way blog. Wonderful stuff.
Best wishes,
Metod
pagoda top
I would form the individual pieces using bent wood lamination. If you use about five or more layers, the piece will be very consistent in shape with minimal spring back. (The laminations could be a thick veneer, about 1/16" in thickness) Then figure out the underlying structure for mounting. The laminated pieces will need very little refinement, just normal sanding. I can visualize a template for trimming the pieces to size and a planing form to refine the edge for joinery.
This is a high degree of difficulty project. Are you sure you want to commit to it as a commission?
Good luck, Tom.
I've built some pagota syle roofs on cupolas. I would approach your project in a similar way. In essence, you have hip rafters in the front and common rafters in the back. To layout a common rafter you use a framing square, holding the desired rise on one leg of the square and 12" on the other. For hip rafters you hold one leg on the same rise but the other on 17". I would think of the structure similar to the forms for a strip canoe, only inside out and you would be attaching to the forms. 1/8" bending plywood, (whacky wood) could be used instead of strips. To cut the angles, form the plywood and use a flush cut saw along the rafter. The raised ribs could be steam bent, use riven lumber.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled