Handles, Corners and Straps for Military Chests.

**derekcohen** · 27th July 2011, 02:06 AM

Although it will likely be several weeks before I need to fit the hardware on the Military Chests, I need to order the parts now. I have been considering what to use.

Picture from early in the build ..

The two banks of small drawers (in the centre) will have one handle each, and the single set of three long drawers (on the left) will have two handles. The far right are three shelves (although I am building drawers to match that can be used here if we later decide to stop using this as an entertainment centre - Lynndy is already trying to talk me into the latter option, and build something separate for the audio equipment!).

There are several options for the hardware.

Here are a sample of cabinets and their hardware ...

This cabinet uses the handles like these:

Corners:

Straps:

On light wood the brass looks good. However on a dark wood, such as Jarrah, I fear it will end up rather gaudy. Our choice is to either just go with handles only, or handles and corners (no straps). What are your thoughts?

Here is a dark cabinet with all the fruit:

There are other handles to consider. I particularly liked this profile. Unfortunately the smallest has a width of 3 1/2" and this is too large for the drawers I have.

The third choice was perhaps too modern? My wife likes it. I think that they might end up too small. But they do have a "neat" look ..

Here is a military chest by Philip Marcou. He specialised in military furniture before turning to plane making. Philip seems to favour these handles ...

Opinions, ideas?

Regards from Perth

Derek

**ian** · 27th July 2011, 02:26 AM

I don't like the small finger pulls -- I think they are too small for the size of your chests

the brass is too shiny -- maybe hire someone to stand over Woodwould till he coughs the beans on his aging mixture?

alternatively use one of these cast zinc ones

Cast Zinc Recess Handles - Lee Valley Tools

or maybe these

Leather Trunk Handles - Lee Valley Tools

**derekcohen** · 27th July 2011, 02:36 AM

Hi Ian

Thanks for the LV link. I looked all over their site for suitable handles. Too expensive compared with the same items direct from the UK. However those zinc versions are really inexpensive by comparison. I wonder how they compare with brass?

Edit: Mmm ... they are just shy of 3" wide. Too big. The brass ones I am looking at are 2 1/2" wide. The drawer lengths are 285mm (short) and 565mm (long) All are 155mm high.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**ian** · 27th July 2011, 02:52 AM

Hi Derek

do you know about van Dykes? Van Dykes Restorers
maybe something suitable there

or here Ansaldi & Sons

or you could go for a hepplewaite style another supplier for an example
Federal Period Pulls Hepplewhite - Sheraton

**ian** · 27th July 2011, 02:57 AM

you could also use a Hepplewhite pull / handle -- surface mount rather than recessed, but I think low profile and simple

Hepplewhite Suite - Lee Valley Tools

**GraemeCook** · 27th July 2011, 01:43 PM

More lovely work, Derek. Well done.

Brass hardware on traditional mahogany military chests are, well, traditional. If it ain't brass then it ain't military. And I do not think similar fittings looked gaudy on a red cedar chest. Just my view.

To "age" brass quickly, just heat it and allow it to cool. A propane torch gets it hot enough.

Cheers

Graeme

**Fuzzie** · 29th July 2011, 08:06 AM

I'm guessing to be true to form for a Military look it would have to be brass hardware, however another option would be to use the iron tansu style strapping like these CC3, T plate, Iron corner for Japanese tansu chest. | eBay

**Waldo** · 29th July 2011, 11:05 AM

I'm keen to see how you tackle this one.

**derekcohen** · 30th July 2011, 03:49 AM

It is very relevant to understand how I got here. This does make the hardware choices easier.

I was visiting my brother- and sister-in-law in January, and it was then that I decided to design the entertainment centre in the form of a pair of military cabinets (remember, the previous entertainment centre ended up as an end table with coopered legs). They had a military cabinet that I had admired for 30 years. This really was a modern translation ... clean lines and restful ...

On our return home I began researching military chests for ideas. My thoughts (head) moved to a more traditional design ... but my heart has kept telling me to keep the design clean and uncomplicated.

So I shall return to the roots and build them without brass corners or straps.

Not sure of the handles yet.

I have 18 to buy. This is an extra 6 to go with the three extra drawers I will built for "one day" when the shelves become drawers.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Fuzzie** · 30th July 2011, 07:43 AM

Hi Derek. I went for the Tansu inspiration for my entertainment centre for the same reasons of clean uncluttered lines.

The only hardware I used were drawer pulls and I preferred the iron look on the dark timber. A long time ago (when I had only a few simple tools) I applied flush brass round pulls like the ones in your inspiration picture to a set of premade vic ash drawers. I was never happy with them. They were uncomfortable to use and it was difficult to excavate the socket to mount them flush. Each pull ended up with a different amount of space behind where the pull hinged and I was annoyed by the voids I could see each time I lifted the pull. Mind you no one else ever noticed.

**ian** · 2nd August 2011, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by derekcohen

snip
... but my heart has kept telling me to keep the design clean and uncomplicated.

So I shall return to the roots and build them without brass corners or straps.

Not sure of the handles yet.

I have 18 to buy. This is an extra 6 to go with the three extra drawers I will built for "one day" when the shelves become drawers.

Derek
another source you may not be aware of is Graeme Brown Antiques in Melbourne Graeme Brown Antiques
trunk handles are on page 21 of the catalogue http://www.gbrownantiques.com.au/pdf...%20Catalog.pdf

**derekcohen** · 2nd August 2011, 02:45 AM

Thanks Ian.

I have been searching internationally for drawer hardware as the prices in Australia are crazy. Even with shipping costs, buying from the UK is less than half the price. Keep in mind that I need 18 handles.

1752 English Flush Handle Box Fittings [1752 watson] - $22.95 : Watson Brass Fittings, Reproduction Antique Cabinet Hardware

versus

Furniture Fittings, Brass Cabinet handles, Furniture Locks, Cabinet Knobs, Escutcheons, Castors

The handles cannot be wider than 2 1/2". Anything larger will dominate.

I am looking at ...

Or possibly (Lynndy's favourite) ...

Regards from Perth

Derek

**ian** · 2nd August 2011, 09:25 PM

Hi Derek
I see what you mean, sourcing from the UK is near enough half the Australian Retail price

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