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Thread: Armoire Progress

  1. #1
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    Armoire Progress

    In the weekend accomplishments thread last week, I posted a few pictures of the panels being prepared for the armoire project that's been on "my list" for some time now. Our primary guest room is in the 250+ year old portion of our home and back then they didn't do closets. Hence, when guests, such as the 'rents, spend time here, there isn't any hanging space for clothes that prefer to be kept that way. This project should aleviate that problem.

    The design of the piece is straight from Thos Moser's book, Measured Drawings for Shop Furniture with some modification for size. The unit, as originally described is too tall and too wide for the space that it needs to fit. The older portion of the house on the second floor has a very low ceiling and the roof gable is part of that surface. So the project has been scaled from 78" tall and 44" wide to 75" tall and 36" wide without causing any problems with internal space.

    This weekend, the project continues with preparing the casework for basic assembly, including some blind dados and...through dovetails at the top of the unit for strength. BTW, the material is poplar from off the property. It's a bit knotty, but that will look perfect on this piece once it's dyed to complement the wide pumpkin pine flooring.

    I could have done the through dovetails with my Leigh jig by fixing up some method for perching it on top of the MM16 bandsaw, but decided to try the "original methodology" for this joint...hand cutting them. While I had done this on one previous project (a CD rack that hangs in our great room) this operation would be a little more challenging and time consuming. Fortunately, I have the correct tools this time around with the Adria dovetail saw I picked up a couple months ago from Tools for Working Wood in NYC and the Ashley Iles chisels I bought this past week from the same vendor. Sharp chisels are an amazing thing... At any rate, here are a few pictures of today's work.

    Pics:
    • Making the first cuts for the pins using a shop-built guide to keep my cut line straight and at a consistant 8º angle
    • Removing much of the waste with a coping saw prior to chisel work
    • Chopping out the rest of the waste between the pins
    • Completed first set of pins on the left side piece
    • Completed tails on the top to mate with the left side pins
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Jim Becker; 09-25-2004 at 9:40 PM.

  2. #2
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    So ok, these are not going to win any awards, but they'll work fine for the purpose and will be behind a molding, anyway! At least they are DONE. This was a tedious job for me and while I'm glad I did it, I cannot promise I'll hand cut them every time. I guess the first quote in my signature applies here...

    No power tools were used today, other than demoing some of that black and green for a friend. Very unusual around here! (the lack of power tools, not the friend! )
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Jim Becker; 09-25-2004 at 9:41 PM.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  3. #3
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    Nice job Jim, you have more patients that I do. For me they are pretty to look at, if someone else does them. Biscuits were good before, but pocket holes are better now. One of the best tools I ever got.

    Again, it's looking good Jim. Can't wait to see the finished piece, keep us posted.
    Dick

    No Pain-No Gain- Not!
    No Pain-Good

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Lewiston, Idaho
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    Down the slope...off the power tools?

    Jim....don't tell me you've gone down the slippery slope and swore off power tools! If so....and you're planning on giving away your power tools.....I'll take them and even pay for the shipping!
    P.S. Those dovetails don't look too bad to my eyes. I wouldn't have the patience to do them by hand!
    Ken

    So much to learn, so little time.....

  5. #5

    Thumbs up

    Looks great Jim!
    You kinda remind me of Roy Underhill minus the hat and the bandaids Oh and you need to grow your tash longer and loose the goat T
    I like watching his show and all the hand tools he uses. and how about that lathe of his!
    Just think of 20 years from now and you look at the pice and remember the hand work that you used to make it!
    Are you using that new saw you got a few months back?
    Jim

  6. #6
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    Feb 2003
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    Nice work Jim!!!!! You are more of a brave person than I would be on handcutting dovetails. I have thought about it several times...just never did it. I say they look GREAT!!!!
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

  7. #7
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    Mar 2004
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    Cockeysville, Md
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    Way to go Jim! They ain't perfect but WAY WAY better than i could have done i assure you. I'd be proud to say i made them

    Brian
    The significant problems we encounter cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.

    The penalty for inaccuracy is more work

  8. #8
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    Mar 2003
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Ketron
    Are you using that new saw you got a few months back?
    Yes, that's visible in the first picture, but only partially shows due to the position of the camera and the little "jig" I'm holding with my left hand to guide the saw. (Cheating is permitted when an electron-breather meanders to the Neander on occasion... )

    -----

    Thanks folks. One doesn't learn anything if you don't try something "new and challenging" with each project if you can swing it. Like I said, I didn't exactly "like" doing it this way (and my hands and arms are reminding me of that right now... ), but at least I know I can do it if it's appropriate. Next time, I'll rig up that "ceiling mounted" Leigh jig and try it that way...it worked for Jason and look where his piece is going to be featured!

  9. #9
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    Jul 2004
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    Oh come on Jim you looked like you where having so much fun with that coping saw.
    Shoot almost made me want to buy one---almost
    ---I may be broke---but we have plenty of wood---

  10. #10
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    Good looking dovetails! I’ve never been able to muster the courage, but I admire the effort greatly.
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney



  11. #11
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    Jan 2004
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    Tacoma, Wa
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    What's wrong with those dovetails, Jim? They look just fine to me. How many boards make up that panel? Nice grain matching.

    Greg

  12. #12
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    Apr 2003
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    Katy, TX
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    Looking good Jim! I haven't mustered the patience to give it a go yet, maybe someday

    Brad

  13. #13
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    Feb 2003
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    Jim,

    Of all the things I want to do, I'd said that I'd never buy a dovetail jig and would learn to do handcut DT's. That's still on the 'round toit list. How did you like the Adria backsaw?

    Rob

  14. #14
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    Feb 2003
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    Southern MD
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    Looks good Jim. Though, I can't believe you missed the opportunity to use your Festool jig saw and chose to use that coping saw instead. You call yourself an electron burner ...

    Jay
    Jay St. Peter

  15. #15
    Hey Jim,

    Glad to see you went with the hand cut dovetails. They look great! After doing a little filling in with wedges, they'll look flawless! Did you get the latest FWW with the Shaker hope chest? He goes through some ways to fill in the gaps to make them look just right. I'm looking forward to seeing this Moser inspired piece complete. Have fun!

    Jason

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