Perfect size box?

[brucio]

There are some things in life which seem to be "just right".
There is a "perfect size box" which fits this description.
It's not the actual size, but rather the ratio of the three sides, something like 9:6:3.
My problem is, I can't remember what that ratio is.
If anyone knows, I would like to, too please.
What's this to do with scrollsawing?
I want to make a trinket box, with my usual "hidden locking" system, but without all the bits sticking out when it's open.
I've got the idea in my head, but to make it attactive to other people who might want to make it, the box has to be one of those "just right" things...
If someone gives me a list of possible ratios, I could probably pick the right one.
Like the name of someone you recognise, but just can't think of their name...
It's on the tip of my tongue...
brucio
http://www.homemadepuzzles.co.uk

[Gill]

Hi Bruce

I suspect you're alluding to the Golden Ratio. You might find these links useful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio
http://www.answers.com/golden+ratio?...hnology&gwp=13
http://www.kees.cc/gldsec.html
http://www.thismanslife.co.uk/main.a...tid=phiculator

Gill

[brucio]

Many thanks Gill,
How do you find this stuff?
Anyway, your last link was the best (the first one was way beyond me),
because it has a little program you can download, called a "Phiculator".
You can type in a number (in my case, the length of a box), and it will instantly calculate the "Golden Ratio" corresponding number (in my case, the width of the box).
Do it again, using that second number, and you get another number (again, in my case, the height of the box).
I got a reply from the USA, where I was given the ratio 13:8:5, which is fine for a box of that size. But for different sizes, I'd have to use my brain, and that could hurt...
The "Phiculator" has saved me some headaches...
Thanks again,
Bruce

[Gill]

Well Bruce, if the truth be known I studied math a few years ago with the Open University just for the hell of it. The study included The Golden Ratio and I found it particularly fascinating. Apparently it crops up in nature time and time again. The structure of the human body is very closely aligned to the Golden Ratio; for example, the length of our upper arms relate to the length of our lower arms in that ratio. Also, the closer the facial features of an individual correspond to each other according to the Golden Ratio, the more beautiful that person is generally regarded as being. Cosmetic surgeons use the Golden ratio extensively in maxillo-facial reconstructions. So do sculptors and artists. (I suspect a certain intarsia designer here might find it particularly useful too .)

You'll often find that old fashioned chests of drawers were constructed so that the height of the drawers were larger at the bottom and became progressively smaller towards the top. The size variations were calculated using the Golden Ratio.

Gill

[GrayBeard Phil]

Brucio:

Just a note OT on the subject of the golden rule.

The ratio(s) of the golden rule are really not something that can be easily measured. Mathematics make the ratios some obscure fractions that cannot be accurately measured with any standard ruler, tape measure, or some such. Sometimes you get measurements like "a fat 13/64 of an inch."

The golden rule existed before the invention of the 'standard' ruler. The craftsman used 'story sticks'. Hundreds of years ago, craftsman created the ratio lengths using one of several graphical techniques, then transferred the lengths to a story stick. All raw stock was cut to the story stick.

There are 2 methods I know of, and another I have just read about, for using only a carpenter's square, a compass, and a straight edge to graphically construct the lengths of the golden rule which could then be transfered to a story stick. (I am sure you noticed the basic tools to construct the golden rule measurements are the symbols of specific social fraternal lodge.)

Unfortunately, the fact is I could show you in under 5 minutes how to construct graphically the golden rule ratio measurements, I cannot compose the words to explain it to you on this forum; just too complex for me to compose the words.

Phil

[CanadianScroller]

I was sent this links http://www.goldennumber.net/ a few weeks ago by a friend called RamblingRoger
There is so much information on the golden number there.
It is also where I got my new signature from.
I hope this can shed some light on the perfect box size.

[workin for wood]

Who even knew! I always thought the perfect box was whichever one fit all my junk into it.

[Gill]

Don't think your new signature block hasn't been noted, defector.

I was going to respond by changing mine to:

British by Birth
English by the Grace of God

Gill

[Hobbyhorse]

That goes without saying Gill..

Rhys

[Gill]

I hope it also goes without saying that my tongue is very firmly in my cheek .

Gill (being playful again)