Product Evaluation

During the past weeks, I really looked forward to my resistant materials. I have always enjoyed doing practical work at school, and this last project made absolutely NO excecption. Throughout the topic, I had a great time. I can't say that my final outcome followed my plan to the exact detail, because it didn't - it was pretty damn close though! I think I made some improvements to my plan;

• The smoothed front corners
• The hinged lid instead of the rediculous lip!

Throughout the project, I also learnt a great number of new skills. For the first time, I sanded down my wood properly, really put some 'elbow grease' into it - something that i'll admit... have never really bothered to do in previous years. I learnt that sanding randomely is kind of pointless and that you have to sand in the direction of the grain to achieve the greatest possible outcome. Another new thing to me was the use of the polisher. Apparently I had supposedly used this device before - however, I had no previous recall of this.... However, I found it pretty straightforward.

I really liked the finish on my final project. SERIOUSLY Smooth :) It also had a nice colour on it. I had also applied a sanding sealer - another thing that I had never used before.

After testing it at lunchtime today, I really think that the desktop storage device really does its job! It's a versatile piece of kit. it works well, and every feature works. I think that I am going to use it at home.

Something about the unit disappoints me however. It could have been perfact bar none if I had not slipped up in just a few areas. To start with, the separator in the compartment is slightly jagged. Instead of using 3 different sized pieces, I could have just used 1 large piece of wood which would have made it sooo much neater! Also, the base of my piece is made from mdf, which is different to the rest of the unit. I should have used the same wood for everything. Finally, there is a gap between the lid and the back of the unit. I should have used smaller hinges to counter this problem.

Overall though, I am really pleased with the overall outcome, and am positive that I am going to use it in my own home in years to come!