Dresser - Two years and a lot learned

[Robby Tacheny]

I think I made more wrong decisions than right when it came to this dresser. I learned:

1. Borg lumber does not make fine furniture
2. Drawers made with finger joints are a pain and not recommended
3. You can't fudge being square; I tried though
4. Knowing you've messed up on a project doesn't make you finish it faster
5. Once its done, you don't sweat the little things that originally bothered you anymore

I could go on and on. TGID (Thank God it's done!)

This is an older 6 drawer dresser design from Popular Mechanics. Theirs is made from mohagny veneer and mine is just stained pine. I found a pic of theirs for comparison. I can't seem to find the plan any more.

[John Thompson]

Two years of struggle from the way it sounds should relate to much experience that should cut down time the next go around. Congratulations on finishing as probably many that linger that long don't finish. The dresser looks fine so pat yourself on the back in lieu of beating yourself up.

[Jim Rimmer]

the dresser looks great and the lessons are priceless.

[glenn bradley]

I agree; a fine looking piece and some priceless experience. Congrats.

[Mark Carlson]

I like those finger joint drawers. Congrats on finishing.

[Jeff Hamilton Jr.]

I have to agree. Though we all see MANY blemishes in our work (my 78 y/o woodworking mentor always reminds me "that's why putty was invented!"), it is usually invisible to anyone else.

I think the proportion of the dress looks great and I really like the style of the fingerjoint drawers.

Keep up the imperfect work -- otherwise known as "woodworking!"

[gary Zimmel]

Congrats on the long haul and getting the dresser done Robby. Well done..
Can't put a price on the lessons we learn.

[Greg Plowman]

Looks great, Robby. The lessons we all learn while woodworking truly are priceless.

[Carl Beckett]

and sharing the experience.

fwiw, I have had projects take at least this long....

A great finished product! I do like the look of the finger joints, and am not sure why you feel they dont make good drawers - look great to me and I would think with a little glue in the fingers, should be quite strong?

[John Keeton]

Whether we are looking for a doctor, plumber, etc., we all have heard the phrase "I want someone with experience." Same goes for a woodworker, and the only way to get that experience is to muddle through a few/many projects, learning as we go. I doubt anyone has ever just bought a bunch of tools, a pile of wood, and a "how to" video, and then produced a museum quality heirloom.

You did a good job, and as others have noted - the knowledge gained from this experience is priceless. In fact, you can't get it any other way.

[Jack Camillo]

Congratulations, it looks wonderful. You are going to enjoy that for the rest of your life.

[Paul Greathouse]

Good job on the dresser Robby,

The finger joints may have been a pain but I think they add to the piece.

[Bruce Page]

IMO, the best way to learn is through trial & error. I think your dresser looks great and the finger joint drawers are way cool.

[Robby Tacheny]

Thanks for all the kind words!

I had considered not posting this, but when I dug up the picture online and compared it to my dresser, I realized they are pretty similar. So my dresser must not be terrible. That's why I posted the original picture.

Also, this dresser is huge. So it doing its doing the job, and that's all I could hope for. So that is one thing off the list; now on to the next one!

BTW, I don't hate the finger joints. They just take a while and make assembly a bit more hectic, especially when they have had two years to expand\contract.

-R

[Dave Sims]

I really like the drawers. I think i might give something like that a shot.