Needles 'n' Knowledge: Reel 3D Fancy Box Stand

Spool dimensional form is composed of

eight-sided center hull tubes that fit together,

each of which are connected to thickened base

and lid (achieved with glued-together, built-up layers).

The "view-finder" styled reel top and bottom have

swirl design overlays with rounded corner,

offset accent panels for hull panels.

Sized to coordinate as "platform" stand for

"Snowman 3D Ball Head" design for a unique

winter seasonal display ensemble.

Reel box measures approx. 5" wide x 5" deep

x 2.5" tall (interior box is approx. 2.5" diam.).

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main upper reel shape (cut 7)
B upper reel top accent
C upper reel bottom layer (includes tube slots)
D upper reel tube boxing
E outer tube accent panels (8)
F reel top layer
G lower reel top accent layer
H main lower reel shape (cut 7)
I lower tube boxing
J opt. lower tube interior reinforcement

NOTE: The hexagon center openings to fit the hex

post to connect the snowman head project were

removed from all shapes in the final cut file.

They may appear in the tutorial images,

but should be disregarded.

2. Prepare the build-up stack for the upper reel

by layering and attaching the main shapes,

one at a time, taking care to rotate and align

all cut edges as precisely as possible.

A crucial step in the stack and build up process

is to place the stack under a flat weight such as

the fabric-covered re-purposed free weight shown

here, to keep the stack flat, and to avoid curling

or warping of the shapes, until the glue is

completely dry. This may take a few hours.

Also, it may be helpful to complete the stack in stages,

attaching half or slightly more into a stack, then

pressing until dry, then continuing to add shapes

to the stack until all are in place, returning to

the flat weights to press until dry.

3. Also add the top accent shape to the stack.

For the upper reel stack, the bottom layer shape
which includes the tab slots should still be unattached.

4. Prepare the tube boxing shapes by bending back

on all panel and tab perforation lines.

Identify the TOP tube (which includes single tabs

below each panel section)

and the BOTTOM tube (which includes

a symbol cut out in the side flange tab.

5. While the upper boxing strip is still flat,
position and attach each accent panel, centered
within a perforation-defined rectangle panel.

6. Form the boxing strip into a tube to bring
the straight side edge to overlap the long tab
opposite, to the perforation line, adjust for
alignment at top and bottom, then join the side seam.

7. At the bottom edge, bend the tabs inward

and glue in place to the tube's inside.

8. At the top edge, bend the two side tabs of
each section inward, with the center tab still
extending upward.

9. Apply adhesive to the face of the side tabs

all around, then quickly . . .

. . . position and insert the center tabs through slots

in the bottom reel shape.

Bend the tabs to the center and glue in place
to the reel's underside.

10. Position the main reel upper stack over the exposed
tube tabs surface adjust for precise alignment,
and glue in place. Try to clip or press this attachment.

11. Repeat much of the same process for the lower reel,

noting that the TOP reel includes a 'B' to indicate

'bottom':

a) position and attach the lower accent shape

on top of the 'B' reel shape;

b) stack and glue together the main reel shapes,
leaving the top 'B' and accent assembly separate.

12. Follow a similar procedure as outlined in

Step 9 above to attach bottom tube to

bottom reel with side tabs inward with glue,

and center tab inserted through slot,

then glued in place to reel.

13. Position and attach tube/reel top layers

to remainder of stack, as in step 11 above for

upper reel.

14. The upper and lower reels/tubes can now
be put together, and if not connected, the form
is a box with LID and BASE.
If you will be using the reel as a stand,
use the optional interior center reinforcement disc.
Prepare it by bending forward the outer flanges.