Slight Arc Transforms Pulls

The first box I made that was clearly in my own design voice is 5 in. wide, 8 in. long, and the sides are just under 2 in. tall. There is a divider that splits the box into two compartments, and there are two lids. Here’s a photograph on the design (It’s not the original box. I don’t remember what happened to that box.)

Take a look at the pulls. There are just little sticks about 3/16 in. thick, 5/16 in. tall, and 1 1/2 in. long (small lid) and 2 in. long (large lid). Boring, but I used this simple pull for many years. At some point, I got tired of them, and began experimenting with how I could change the design to be more interesting without being too complicated to make. Here’s the “revolutionary” change I made.

That’s right. I just added a slight arc to the top of the pull. And then I used this design for a while, before becoming dissatisfied and making another change. I added an arc to the bottom edge, too. The two arcs are not symmetrical.

I like this evolution of the pull. Not only is it better looking and easier to grasp, it also makes the box more attractive, and fancier. What the lower arc does is introduce negative space, and that makes all the difference with regard to practicality and appearance. Here’s a drawing of the pull so that you can see it’s shape more clearly.

The dimensions are the same as the original stick pulls. The lower arc is slight enough that the pull is still strong, and the “feet” are long enough to provide sufficient area for glue (I use yellow PVA glue and a clamp to attach them.). As I have mentioned before, I make all of my pulls with my Shaper Origin, because it allows me to make them in bulk. I now have a box with pulls ready to go when I need one. This pull can be made without an Origin. Personally, I’d cut the arcs with my little benchtop bandsaw, but a coping saw for the lower arc would be find. For the top arc, I’d just rough it out with a rasp or file and then sand it.

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I know this is a short entry, but I’ve been busy with life recently. I was married on July 10, and then spent 5 days in Vermont and New Hampshire, and this past weekend, we visited with my old buddy Ed Pirnik and his family. Yes, that Ed. The one who was on the Fine Woodworking podcast with me for years. Anyway, thanks for reading and subscribing. Please drop questions and thoughts in the comments! (I dropped a few wedding photos below because why not share my happiness?!)