Justin Newcombe and his storage cubes painted in Olympic colours. Photo / Steven McNicholl
Justin Newcombe gets to work on a versatile set of boxes, painted to commemorate this year's big sporting event.
I love the Olympics, particularly the cycling (although the road race should be a full-on tour) and the 1500m is the perfect distance to measure the best attributes of the human condition. Sadly, through the expulsion of the tug of war, mud-throwing and cross-country swimming, the Olympics are a much
diminished spectacle. Fortunately some new sports have made an impact, like synchronised swimming, which is definitely on my must-watch list, a far better option than shooting - definitely on my not-watch list. Rugby sevens makes its debut next time in Rio de Janeiro, which will please many New Zealanders. However, my wife draws the line at the proposal to include pole dancing, although my kids seemed quite enthusiastic. I just want an easy life, so I have no opinion.
But there is work to be done. One of the most versatile things you can build is a box and even more versatile is a box set. A good size box set can become a set of drawers, a set of shelves, a sofa or table and chairs, part of a desk and even a bed with a bedside table. The great thing is it can all become something else at a later date, a bit like Lego. I've created a set of boxes which will probably become a desk in my daughter's room with two boxes at each end doubling as legs and storage while a piece of clear pine will make up the top.
Because the Olympics are about to start, I've managed to solve any disputes over colour scheme and have painted each of the five boxes the colours of the five Olympic rings. I made some 90 degree corner supports and held them in place using a strop, which kept everything tight and square while the glue dried.
Step 1
