Firecracker Column 3D Box Stars Stripes

 

Small dimensional roman candle box built as 

a snugly fitting LID and BASE with stripes and stars panels 

to decorate front face. 

Useful for many decorative situations, 

this box is custom sized for use as the ‘I’ letter box 

in the America 3D Letter Box Ensemble, 

measuring approx. 5.75” tall x 2” wide x 2” deep. 

Twist and glue a short length of cotton string or 

thick twine and glue to top panel as faux wick. 

Shown here in patriotic colors, it would also work

with other decorating or holiday color schemes.

Lid and base columns are built as simple square tubes

so that they can be hand trimmed to shorter heights

to create an ensemble, if desired.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A LID body hull (no upper tabs on the final version)

B LID top opening collar

C LID top opening cover with wick opening

D BASE body hull

E BASE bottom panel (with identifying notch)

F BASE upper opening reinforcing collar (notched)

G front panel decoration stripes, stars, contrast

(NOTE the sample project has the decoration on

only the front; cut 4 sets to decorate all four sides.)

2. Prepare the LID tube hull shape by bending back

on all vertical perforation lines. (The top edge flanges

have been removed as unnecessary in final design -

see the LID hull in Step 7 to visually confirm this.)

3. Prepare the front decoration stars panel by

positioning and attaching the slightly smaller contrast

panel behind the stars panel (shown top downward

in these images - rotated into correct position on sample).

4. Identify the stripes positioning hash cut guides

on hull to identify the front panel, then . . .

. . . position and attach the stars panel (rotated 180 degrees)

to the top of that panel slightly offset from top cut edge

and within perforations at sides.

5. Next position the center stripe to abut top edge

under stars panel and within the upper (pointed at)

and lower dash guide marks, and . . .

. . . attach in place. Also position and attach side stripes

exactly next to center stripe. NOTE that bottom edges

of stripes will be slightly offset from hull bottom edge.

6. Form the LID hull into a tube with straight side edge

overlapping side flange and aligned at perforation fold

of opposite side, and glue seam.

To assist with gluing side seam, press the hull tube

flat and apply fingertip or weight pressure all

along edge until fully secure.

7. Prepare the top opening collar shape by bending

top flanges forward. 

Apply adhesive to the backside of the flanges, then

carefully slip collar inside the top opening.

Gently slide the snug-fitting collar down until the top

edges of collar align with hull top edges, then

apply pinch pressure all around to fully secure.

8. Prepare the wick by cutting a 4-5 inch length of

household cotton string or very thick twine.

Fold in half, press the fold flat and twist tightly.

Apply white craft glue to the top 1" at loop end

and continue to keep twists tight until the glue

secures the twisted wick end fully.

9. Insert the loop end back-to-front through the cover's

center punch hole, stopping with the twisted 1"

fully through and the separate ends on the backside . . .

. . . where they should be directed in opposite

directions (180 degrees from each other) and

glued securely to underside of cover.

10. Apply adhesive to LID collar frame bottom edges

surrounding opening, then slide into position 

at LID hull top recess,

press down into place and secure.

11. Prepare the BASE hull in similar manner to

LID hull as shown in steps 2 & 6. At bottom edges,

bend flanges inward at right angle. Apply glue to

flanges, then position and attach the separate

bottom panel in place, within the edge perforations.

Take care that the BASE is squared up properly

so it will fit into the LID, then apply pressure to

secure bottom panel in place.

12. Repeat step 7 above to prepare the BASE

reinforcement collar by bending edge flanges,

applying glue to flanges underside, then inserting

into opening, easing down into place until upper

edges of collar and hull align.

13. To finish the box, gently insert the top end of

BASE into the bottom open end of LID . . .

. . . and gently slide into position. When nearly all

the way inserted, apply glue to the side panels of

BASE approx. 1/2" above bottom edges, then

continue to slide inward until LID edges match up

with BASE bottom edges. Apply gentle pressure all

around to secure LID and BASE together.

Here is the completed firecracker box.

And here is an image of the AMERICA letter box

ensemble project with the firecracker box standing

in place of the letter 'I'.

(image to follow)