Chest of Drawers

**BobR** · 13th June 2011, 11:00 PM

Back in 2005 I built a chest of drawers that was put up on the forum. It was made for the Granddaughter and was based on one in Australian Woodsmith. It is now time to make one for her sister. I would have started this thread when I started the project except that I don't work as fast as Claw Hammer and many of you may have fallen off the perch before I finish.

The timber is NSW rosewood with the drawers made from Kauri pine obtained from Mal Ward.

The first image is of the timber cut to rough size with the pieces for the rails and styles dressed and on the bench.

Photo two is of the boards all layed out for checking figure to be used before cutting to size.

Next the pieces were ripped to width and cut to lenght using a 80 tpi fine blade.

The fourth image is of a dry fit of the rails and styles. Using a dado blade a 6mm slot has been cut on the inside of each piece to take the panel.

Following this the panels have to be constructed from these two beautiful pieces of rosewood. Because my jointer and thicknesser will only work with 10" (250mm) max pieces of timber, I had to cut each piece in half to be rejoined later.

After resawing the panel pieces they were run through the thicknesser again with the final finish being done on the drum sander. Image six shows this.

Image seven is joining the panel pieces back together again.

Next the panel is cleaned up and sanded to 1200 grit prior to oiling before being fitted into the frame.

Image nine is a dry fit of the panel.

**Wongo** · 13th June 2011, 11:27 PM

Great WIP Bob. Great looking workbench too.

**BobR** · 13th June 2011, 11:43 PM

And we continue.

The panels are each given two coats of Danish oil followed by buffing.

Next the dry panel is fitted to the frame and glued up.

In the next image the two side panels and back panel are glued together. At the same time the two front styles are fitted. These styles have dado cuts made to hold the front rails. Matching cuts exist on the back panel styles.

Then the front and back rails are fitted. Each has a tongue made to fit into the dado cut in the styles. This tongue extends across the full length of the rail as it has to support the trim. Sprung timber is used to force the tongue into the dado cuts.

Now it is all glued up and ready for the trim.

The trim has been fitted and chamfers made to the front style corners ans the inside around the panels.

The next image shows the drawer runners and guides being fitted.

The top divider and centre runners are then fitted.

Following this a base has to be made.

**BobR** · 13th June 2011, 11:53 PM

Thanks Scott. I am on the home run now. Will put more up tomorrow.

**Waldo** · 13th June 2011, 11:55 PM

Fallen off my perch? I'm used to long WIPs

and watching them, then come your second post and you're almost across the finish line.

**Woodwould** · 14th June 2011, 12:17 AM

That's quick!

**BobR** · 14th June 2011, 10:31 AM

The WIP images are going up quickly, but not in real time.

**NCArcher** · 14th June 2011, 10:59 AM

Beautiful work Bob

Love the rosewood.

**Wongo** · 14th June 2011, 11:05 AM

Hurry up Bob, we want to see some (1/2

) dovetails.

**BobR** · 14th June 2011, 11:14 AM

Here we go again.

The first image shows the base top. It is constructed similar to the sides except mitre joints instead of tenons.

Next the platform for the base is made. Keyed mitre joints are used.

The third image is glueing the base top to the platform.

Once the glue is dry the whole assembly is sanded ready for the finish. Easier to do it now.

In the fifth image the case has been attached to the base using screws. Cove moulding has also been fitted.

A close up of the case fitted to the base.

It is now on to making the top. The seventh image shows the top comprising of three boards glued up, sanded, and rounded edges.

The final image has the top fitted along with the moulding. The top is screwed to the case with the side screws being in oversized shank holes to allow for movement.

Now for the drawers.

**BobR** · 14th June 2011, 11:17 AM

Patience grasshopper

**Christos** · 14th June 2011, 11:23 AM

Nice after post wip. But that's always the case.

I see some photos of the panels have a deeper red.

**BobR** · 14th June 2011, 01:23 PM

Christos, the difference is not as pronounced as appears in the images. Nor is it as red. I did not want to use a stain or dye as I was concerned that the figure in the timber would loose its impact. The biggest colour changes do occur on the back pannel, but that is why they are on the back.

**BobR** · 14th June 2011, 01:41 PM

Image one is of the rough sawn timber to be used on the drawer sides and backs.

The next images has all piece dressed on four sides prior to being resawn.

The pieces have now been resawn and dressed to thickness. Image three has the pieces being cut to exact length.

It time to cut the dovetails. Appologies to the dark siders.

Cutting dovetails.

Image six is the first dry fit of drawer.

The next image is putting a 12 degree bevel on a drawer front.

The last image is off all drawers dry fitted and ready for glue up.

This WIP is now up to where I am at in the project so don't know when the next post will be.

**Woodwould** · 14th June 2011, 02:07 PM

Dyes normally kill the harshness associated with new timber and accentuate the figure.

Thread: Chest of Drawers - WIP

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