Whew!!! One year and 3 months later I am done with this chest of drawers. I don't get in the shop much in a given week. It is not exactly to the book, but it is built with the same methods (mostly). Confessions (not apologies) first. I used my circular saw and bandsaw for sizing the rough-cut lumber. Only hand tools after the boards were about the right size (all surfacing and joinery). I used plywood for the drawer bottoms and the panels for the frame and panel back. Everything else was solid wood (mostly cherry, some maple, cypress, and cedar).
Now good stuff - I HIGHLY recommend the book from Lost Art Press, The Jointer & Cabinet Maker. This was my first case-piece, ever. This was the most complicated thing I have made from wood. The next was the schoolbox on top (also from the book). Anyway, the book was great for a beginner. For true beginners, I also suggest The Essential Woodworker (LAP) as a great compliment.
Other notes
The Cherry was a craigslist find. Sawn from a tree close-by in MS. All from 1 log. Air dried. $1/bf. Lots of scrap, but the good boards were REALLY good.
The top is 2 pieces. Both from the same board. One is about 16in wide.
The drawer fronts are all 1 piece. The all have cathedral grain that points in the same direction. The top has the same pattern.
Only hardware are big knobs from LV. Heavy brass.
The base is not according to the book. It is a M&T frame with an arched front to match a bed I made 5 years ago.
The box was my first experiment in dovetails. This chest was the second. I am still slow, but they look much better now.
I hope that these pictures will motivate some people to jump in and take on pieces that they are not "qualified" to build. I was certainly not qualified to build this. Next up - a proper tool cabinet. Hopefully that will not take a full year.
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