IMG_0370.JPG
Hey fellow Neanders,
I started this project about 6 months ago (but got distracted mid way through with rehabbing some saws). I was going to wait to post this until it was complete, but just got to a point where its really starting to come together so I thought Id share the progress.
I am building a jewelry chest of drawers for my mother and will give it to her this Xmas as a present. My grandfather has built several similar chests for my aunts but hes doing less woodworking these days, so since my mom never got one from him, she asked if I could build one for her. The chest is my own design - it combines a fairly standard plan that my grandfather used for his chests, with a number of features from traditional Pennsylvania spice boxes.
IMG_0380.JPG
The chest is about 14x14x7.5. The picture with my cat (Totem) is included to give some scale of the size. The primary wood came from a lovely piece of streaky cherry I got from my local lumber dealer. The coves on the molding were shaped on a router, but everything else has been done without electrons. I work this way 1) because its fun and 2) because I lack a dedicated shop space so working by hand on my workbench inside the house is much easier and more pleasant than setting up my portable power tools on the back patio. Im sure I will always do a lot of handwork, but having done a number of hand tool only projects at this point, I know that when I have a more dedicated space I will very quickly want to acquire a thickness planer and a huge bandsaw.
The interior dividers/partitions are poplar with about an inch of cherry trim glued to the show surfaces. They sit in stopped dados, which were made by first knocking out the waste at the stopped end with a chisel, then kerfing the sides with a backsaw, and finally cleaned out with my router plane.
IMG_0288.JPG
After cutting all the interior dados, rabbets, grooves, the carcass top/bottom and sides were dovetailed together, and the interior components were slid in from the back. Next, I made the soft maple frame and panel back, which is perhaps the coolest part since its removable and reveals a hidden compartment, that sits behind a false back in the top row of drawers. (got this idea from Steve Lattas PA spice box)
IMG_0369.JPG
I then shaped and fit the molding which turned out to be a major PITA. I repeatedly shot them too short in getting the miters to fit right, and then kept having to plane the molding backs to make the moldings grow. I was very obsessive about getting the miters tight, and in the end I got a really nice fit, which made me VERY happy after struggling so much to get them right slightly imperfect joinery I can live with, but a gappy miter looks really bad.
IMG_0356.JPGIMG_0347.JPG
So whats next? I will be adding some bracket feet made from the same piece of cherry the photo below shows the template I plan to use (and yes, I realize the grain on the template is running in the wrong direction). Then its just a matter of making the nine drawers that will go into the case. Below is a picture of some lightly spalted QS sycamore I will be using for the drawer fronts. I spent a lot of time debating whether or not to use a different species for the drawers, since contrasting wood is so very easy to do poorly. I was originally going to use birdeye maple, but decided that the contrast would be to heavy and the figure too busy. I think the tan/orange undertones of the sycamore, and the light spalting will pair much nicer with the streaks and tones of the cherry case hopefully you agree.
IMG_0385.JPGIMG_0393.JPG
Im still deciding what I will use as a finish. The interior is prefinished with some Bullseye Sealcoat. For the exterior, I had originally planned on using Tried and True original which has become my standby, but now am thinking that amber shellac may add so nice warmth to the piece.
This is definitely is the most challenging piece Ive done, and even though its taking a long time and there have been some hiccups, I am really happy with how its turning out.
So thanks for letting me show off my work, I hope you enjoyed it!