Egg-centric Repository!

egg cnc project

The Egg-centric Repository is a fun and whimsical container for all manner of “stuff”! Stow wrapped candies or paper clips on the desk, or whatever strikes your fancy – it’s all up to you. It is certainly a conversation starter. Friends and family will take notice of this somewhat humorous rendition of a “box”!

The overall dimensions of the Egg-centric Repository, including the stand, are about: 8″ dia. x 8 ” tall. 
The egg itself measures about: 4.5″ dia. x 6.75 ” tall.

STEP 1 – Upload Project

Open the Designer software and open the included project file(s). You can then simply compile (upload) the project(s) to your memory card.

Eggcentric.mpc
Egg_Stand.mpc

After the project is compiled, select “Normal or Best” for the File Quality setting. Click “OK” to upload to your memory card. 

NOTE: Carve times are as follows:

  • Eggcentric.mpc
    • Good – 4 hours
    • Best – 6 hours 
  • Egg_Stand.mpc
    • Good – 20 mins
    • Best – 22 mins

STEP 2 – Carving

At the machine, follow the steps to carve the project.

Once the carving is finished, remove it from the machine and vacuum or blow off any excess sawdust.

STEP 3 – Mark, Separate and Dry-Fit Parts

Before separating the eggcentric parts from the board, mark their part numbers using a pencil, referring to the Guide at the end of this document.

Separate the pieces from the board with a utility knife, wire cutters or hobby saw. Don’t sand the exteriors of the egg until after glue-up.

Dry-fit (stack) the parts to get yourself oriented to how they go together. I like to arrange the stack so that the grain creates a pleasing pattern. I make alignment marks on each part so I can line them up again during glue-up. This is not necessary if you plan on painting the egg which hides the grain.

STEP 4 – Assembly & Finish Prep

Sand the stand parts. Square-off the inside rounded corners of the leg slots with a file to yield a good fit to the ring. Glue the legs to the stand ring using the small recesses in the ring as a placement guide. Set on a flat surface and clamp until dry.

Glue the top segments 7, 8, and 9 together, being careful to center each segment with each other. Set aside. Do not be concerned with any apparent layer mismatches – these will be sanded out later. Just be sure you are gluing the proper segments together! 

Now glue bottom segments 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 together (do NOT glue segment 1 yet). Set aside to dry.

After the bottom assembly has thoroughly dried, sand the interior using a spindle sander or a large dowel wrapped with sandpaper.

After sanding the interior completely smooth, Glue on section 1 (to section 2) and allow to dry.

When dry, sand the outside of the egg sections to blend and smooth the seams. Combine hand sanding, rotary tool, finger files and/or a power sander to expedite the

job. I started with very coarse 80-grit for the general shaping and blending, and worked my way finer with 100, 150 and 220-grit.

It is important to use a sanding block for main shaping. This assures the contours can be followed closely without creating uneven “waves” between soft and harder portions of the wood. I used a wooden block and a flexible foam block for hand sanding as well as a small power sander, files and Dremel tool.

Glue the lid disc on the underside of the top section. Check centered alignment and place the egg top inverted on a small can or jar. Place a rag as a cushion and weigh down until the glue is set. Check fit after the glue has dried. Do final touch-up sanding if required.

STEP 5 – Finishing

Apply stain/paint and a clearcoat of your choice. Here’s what I used on my Egg-centric Repository made from Select Pine:

Egg Stand:

  • Rust-Oleum Golden Mahogany Ultimate Stain
  • Several light coats of Krylon acrylic clear spray

Egg-centric Container:

  • Brushed 7 coats of full-strength Bulls Eye SealCoat sanding with 400-grit between coats for a high-gloss finish.

Apply three self-stick silicon or felt “dots” to the inside of the ring to cushion the egg when placed in the stand.

FINAL

I hope you enjoyed making your Egg-centric

Repository! I created the sample as a “pure” egg with no adornment. However, there are endless possibilities to decorate the egg as you wish. A few starter ideas are:

  • Use “puff paint” to create raised, extruded designs
  • Use a wood burner to create burned-in designs
  • Apply gold, copper or silver leaf to the egg
  • Coat with metallic paints and apply an antique patina
  • Apply spray “stone” texture or marbleizing paint
  • Modify the MPC file to include a small drill hole in the center of the top, then insert a decorative wooden or metal knob as a “lift” handle

Happy Carving!

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