Modified Sienna Box

[P. Barrie]

I was given some art supplies by a neighbor that included this Sienna Plein air box. The overall size and design is pretty good but IMO there are some design flaws that I corrected to suit me.
Modifications:
Added a quick release mount on the bottom that fits my heavy duty tripod.
Added wooden strips for a lip on the palette shelf to help keep paint from getting into the slot.
Made a new side shelf that’s larger, and with holes to hold brushes.
Removed metal clips that were intended to hold panel and replace with wooded strips.
Replaced two of the small thumb knobs that adjust and tighten the swinging lid, with larger ones so I could apply more torque (due to my weak thumbs).
So now what I need to do is USE IT.

 

[Terri]

How cool! You only had to make a few modifications to get this wonderful gift working to fit your needs. Beautiful box; I love having wood and natural things around me.

So now what I need to do is USE IT.

Indeed!

 

[P. Barrie]

Indeed, I want to allocate more time when the weather warms.
Another problem that I didn’t point out is the slot for storing wet panels. the slot is too wide for a typical panel and too narrow for a stretched canvas. I mounted small spacers on one panel so that two dry or wet (wet side facing wet side) panels could slide in and hopefully not get spoiled.
By posting this I wanted to make others aware of these design flaws. For the amount that these cost there shouldn’t be obvious problems with usage, cleaning, and workspace. Getting one for free is one thing, but I would not buy one at the current price. There are other versions of this design, Soho, Meeden come to mind, but they are copies of this without thought to fixing the obvious (to me anyway).

 

[Marksmomagain]

I got one of these at a thrift store awhile ago and have also made some of the same mods you have made.

 

[Jo Castillo]

Looks great, hope it works well for you.

 

[Artyczar]

So cool! One day I will get into this stuff...I think. It's so neat to see all the "tools of the trade" for this kind of work.

 

[Bongo]

Beautiful box, and you made some sensible mods.
I have a weakness for modding and designing that too often ends with re-inventing the wheel.