Vanity Press

[James MacArthur]

To Creekers, I'm a UK'er but have really enjoyed reading your forum these past few week since I found you so I thought I would share a project I've been working on for a while. Its only a pine build but I hope you'll enjoy it. This WIP is copied from a UK woodwork forum.

I've been working on this for about a month and a half now. I started off spending a lot of time working on planning it out, something I've never done on things I've made. Started with a hand drawing:


(Click Pics for Larger)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00163-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00163-1.jpg)

Its based on a New England style Linen Press, but its got a space in-between for a desk and mirror to go. Hence Vanity Press.

Next up was a very accurate 3D Drawing, although you can't see it in this render, each part is exactly modeled to give exact dimensions, show with raised panels and square panels, haven't decide which to do yet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_VanityPress3d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=VanityPress3d.jpg)

I then input all the parts into CutList which gave me a 80+ part cutlist. So I begin cutting. I'd done a lot of work on working out some guide rails for my circ saw for this and I have to say it worked better than I could have hoped. You do need to mark up with a 3mm channel for the saw kerf otherwise the 3mm keep adding up and you get all your parts out of shape.

Heres a quick screen shot of the first half of the word document for the cutlist. I hand arranged the boards as the program couldn't work it out for me!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_ScreenShotCutlist.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=ScreenShotCutlist.jpg)

Heres my cutting set up, shop vac suspended from the ceiling to give me enough hose to get all up and down, you can see the 2.4mx600cm Pine Boards I've been using underneath the one thats been cut up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00204.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00204.jpg)

Once it was all cut I ended up with huge piles of pine, heres some of it:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00211.jpg
(http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00211.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00212.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00212.jpg)

Then it was time for assembly. I wanted to dovetail the front of the draw units rather, something I'd never done, so I cut the dovetails on my router table and cut the dovetail hole in the case sides with my small router hand held then cleaned it up with a chisels. Heres one:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00219.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00219.jpg)

And a far out shot:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00218.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00218.jpg)

The backs are simply 3 80mm pine cross supports rebated with 6mm ply giving some extra strength. One was quickly finished:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00225.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00225.jpg)

And a second.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00224.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00224.jpg)

Both together:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00231.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00231.jpg)

Next on the list was to attach the desk top, a friend bought me a Kreig Pocket hole jig for my birthday (which is tomorrow!) and I used this to fix the desk, never used it before obviously a really good bit of kit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00232.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00232.jpg)

Around this time I also went to The WoodWorking Centre Northampton which I never knew existed but heard someone mention on here and I was after the Jet wetstone grinder, I ended up buying the Tormek as my present from me to me. Never had really sharp tools before but there was lots of planing to be done. The top rail on the draws I set a little further down from the top as I was worried about the dovetail breaking out. So I glued another strip on and clamped up then planed off the next day:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00234.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00234.jpg)

[James MacArthur]

As you can see the middle draw hole has been made and in this picture a test of the draw moulding and a handle on, this is all screwed on. Now for some shaving shots:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00221.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00221.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00222.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00222.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00223.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00223.jpg)

I spent today building the frame under the desk for the draw to run in. At the moment I'm stuck at a point of nothing to do. Its all ready to start been finished which I want to do before I start the top half, and I'm waiting for a guide bush for my router to use with the Leigh D4 jig I bought of waka this week so I can get to work on the draws. Can't start spraying as I can't find the right stain locally.

And finally heres shop cat helping out. Not quite as large as LN dogs but a lot easier to move.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00235.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00235.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00236.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00236.jpg)

Hope you've enjoyed reading sorry there aren't more "action shots" but I tend to be focusing on what I'm doing and forget to snap pictures.

[James MacArthur]

Still been plugging away at this. Got all the bottom finished now ready to start the top. I'm going to spend the next few weeks applying the lacquerer and touching it all up before I start on the top. It's taken me a while as I've been getting to grips with the Leigh Dovetail jig which I highly recommend, pine is probably not the best for doing dovetail work but mine came out alright in the end:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00272.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00272.jpg)

FocusMckeller Router with a new base doing my dovetailing:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00264.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00264.jpg)

Stack of draws ready to go:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00282.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00282.jpg)

Just some various pictures here of the drawers going in and bits.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00289.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00289.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00281.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00281.jpg)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00283.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00283.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00285.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00285.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00287.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00287.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00290.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00290.jpg)

First coat of lacquer on the desk top in this shot, can hardly tell but will look good with a few more as it did on the tests.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00291.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00291.jpg)

Hope you enjoy reading this, I'm not up to maliee quality and don't have lots of shiny kit to show but it was fun to make and looking forward to the next stage!

[James MacArthur]

Still plugging away on this one very slowly been on holiday and things stopping me getting on.

Stocked up on some more pine, interestingly got it for £16 a board when its always been closer to £25. I didn't argue and left very quickly having also only been charged for half of what I bought. :twisted:

Tried to get a few more WIP shots this time but its easy to forget. Dimensioned the bits a few weeks ago so today was just a case of assembly. All the parts where already pocket holed as well.

Spent one whole day doing the waist molding last weekend, had it dry fitted with the miters looking great but when it came to gluing they didn't go so well and the front long one needs to be screwed on so it can be un-screwed and all the parts broken down for transport so it was a real pig.

Put in some MDF tops to top off the draw units. The wardrobes have pine bottoms so this bit of MDF will never be seen but provides the base for the wardrobe.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00320.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00320.jpg)

I don't have any feather boards but this worked fine to run the moulding through my big 45degree cutter with out loosing any fingers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00322.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00322.jpg)

Edge moldings glued on an held with masking tape.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00325.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00325.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00326.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00326.jpg)

Front molding going on.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00327.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00327.jpg)

Waist molding all done ready for the top.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00328.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00328.jpg)


First back support going on. 6.5mm rebate on it and the sides ready for the ply back.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00333.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00333.jpg)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00334.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00334.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00335.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00335.jpg)

One done,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00336.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00336.jpg)

Two done. This one didn't fit in its hole as well as it should so I set up a fence and used my Record 73 shoulder plane across the grain to skim some off, could have used the router but wanted to try it, I thought I would get a terrible mess but it came out just fine and the wardrobe dropped right in, can't beat the sharp hand tools.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00337.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00337.jpg)

Just have the middle cabinet to do and the doors and its ready to all be sprayed and lacquered. Can't see it been finished for a while yet!


Just for something a little different, made this on Saturday evening as a present for a friends birthday, its a logo from an game that he wanted made up a while ago that I never got around to. I gifted it to him with a bottle of PVA and primer for him to paint up which I believe he has done today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00332.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00332.jpg)

Thanks for looking, hope its of interest to someone!

[Matt Evans]

Looking good, James. I like the design. It seems pretty big for a European/UK style flat in the drawing, but not so much in execution. It will be interesting to see it installed.

Are you making the stool as well? ( I see the three leg stool under there now, but was wondering whether you had planned for an upholstered one.)

Oh, and welcome to SMC.

[James MacArthur]

Its going into a large house here in the UK not a flat or anything.

What you see underneath is just an old chair with a broken back, I will be making a stool and hope to upholster it, just can't decide on a good leg design for it as I don't have a lathe to turn any legs and want a fairly modern look to it.

Thanks for the welcome!

[John Thompson]

Keep your build coming, James. I'm just finishing up (about a week) on something similar and taking the summer off or at least plan too so.. I'll follow your build.

Sarge..

[James MacArthur]

Thanks for the support John, look forward to seeing your finished project!

[James MacArthur]

Today sees the doors going on and the Vanity been finished just needing its colour coat. But heres how I got to this point:

After struggling with an un-even floor I had to stop work to build a mobile flat base for the thing:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00368.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00368.jpg)

Once the middle shelfs were in had to start work on the doors. I've gone for raised panel using the table saw to raise the panels.



Rip and cross cut the rails and styles (Not the nice outfeed table :)):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00434.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00434.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00435.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00435.jpg)

Cleaning up the saw marks with my very rust but very well performing No4.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00436.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00436.jpg)

Table saw set up with 12degree bevel and just the right amount of height. Using MDF as my base to make sure it runs smooth and a big bit of wood as my fence.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00437.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00437.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00438.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00438.jpg)

Cleaning up the edges with my trusty but a bit to large record shoulder plane.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00439.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00439.jpg)

End result, in my opinion an really nice raised panel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00440.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00440.jpg)

I've used biscuits to glue the rails and styles together and heres a few shots of the rebate for the panel going through the router table:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00441.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00441.jpg)

All the parts ready to glue up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00442.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00442.jpg)

[James MacArthur]

2 large doors been glued up, I have to say in all my wood gluing (not much) nothing has ever gone together as well as these did. Theres also a small door but for some reason I haven't got a single picture of it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00443.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00443.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00444.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00444.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00445.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00445.jpg)

Test fit then cutting the holes for the hinges:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00446.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00446.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00447.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00447.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00448.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00448.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00449.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00449.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00450.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00450.jpg)

To fit the doors properly I need the crown molding in. To make the crown molding I riped down some 110mm width lengths, then put a 45 degree bevel on one edge. Then cut up some 45degree blocks screwed them onto the back. The trouble comes now cause I don't have a good mitre saw and knew I couldn't get a good result passing these through the saw. So my solution was to mark up the saw table top with 45degrees on it, screw the moldings onto a piece of pine to mimic the top of the Vanity then raised the saw blade up into the work piece.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00459.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00459.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00460.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00460.jpg)

And it all matched up beautifully which is more than I could have hoped for!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00461.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00461.jpg)

I'll update this evening with the doors on.

Got the last few bits done, also fitted the light. Now just to apply the finish!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/DSC00463.jpg


As for how it gets there, it all breaks down into its parts. I'll get pictures along the way.

Don't know if anyone is reading this but I don't care I love my own build thread!

[James MacArthur]

Made a new stool as the old one wasn't cutting it. This one is made with Mortise and tenon draw bored for super strength over the years. Really happy with this. Made my own dowels which was fun. Shouldn't really use pine its a bit soft had some oak but it was a bit tough to bang through the hole.

Also made rails for the cupboards. Got to try out my new featherboards which were good.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00474.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00474.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00475.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00475.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00464.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00464.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00466.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00466.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00470.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00470.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00471.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00471.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00472.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00472.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00473.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00473.jpg)

I'm so very happy to say thats its finished. The finish and lacquering took about 3 days and it was all transported an put back together. I actually have a time lapse set of images showing it going together which I'll upload soon. But for now heres a few shots of it in place with the finish on. Notice the plugs and dimmer lights which I really enjoyed doing. Just need another handle for the middle wardrobe as apparently I can't count to 9. Its home now with the desk I made last year. :)

Finish on and item in its temporary bedroom home.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/IMG_430747.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/IMG_4309.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/IMG_431252.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/IMG_4315.jpg



An thats all, I hope my small under equipped UK workshop doesn't seem to third world compared to your guys beautifully equipped shops and I hope you enjoyed the build.

[Jim Tobias]

James,
I saw your post tonight (late) and it seems very interesting and thorough. I want to come back tomorrow (earlier in the day) and give it a good read through. It turned out very nice by the way.

Jim

[John Thompson]

Well.. that monster came out very well, James. BTW.. I posted the computer desk-hutch a month ago. I was going to take the summer off but.. she said..... I need a fish tank table in the spot where the old hutch was and... I need a printer table before you take a break. I laid wax today and will assemble tomorrow with the fish tank table. I suppose I start a printer table next Monday as the wood has already acclimated.

There is no rest for the weary.. ha.. ha...

Looks great and very well done on that monster...

Regards...