Derek Cohen
09-05-2011, 11:50 AM
Another update on the Military Chests ...
I am still working on preparing the drawer parts preparatory to dovetailing and assembly. It feels like I will never get there. 12 drawers at one time is more than I've done together before (6 was my previous record, and then the construction was Shaker).
Over the weekend I completed the slips, cut the drawer sides to length, and completed the drawer backs. The slips ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerF.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerE.jpg
All the parts are now done with the exception of the drawer bottoms. I have decided to make and fit these last. Usually I would fit them immediately after dovetailing the 4 sides, as it is a way of squaring the drawer. In this case, I am concerned about having too many planed boards lying around and their potential to cup. I have a jig that will ensure that the drawer is square as the glue dries. Comment?
All the parts ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerG.jpg
The second of three questions I throw open to the forum is about the next stage in the drawer build. Before I dovetail the drawers I need to fit the drawer handles. These are to be recessed into the drawer front, so I plan to complete the mortices first, dovetail the drawers, then attach the handles.
I researched these handles quite a bit, discovering that they were now all made in India - even the ones said to be made in the UK. I was fortunate to discover that one of the local Perth stores that specialised in brass had a few of the different versions in stock. Philip Marcou gave me some tips on what to look out for. All of these handles are cast brass, which then requires finishing. It appears that some companies flattened the tops with a belt sander, with the result that the plate were not flat but curved. There would be signoficant difficulties recessing curved plates into flat drawer fronts. Indeed, all but one of the brass handles I looked at were rounded over. I ended with this ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/HandleC.jpg
However, almost all the handles are slightly wavy at the edges ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/HandleA.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/HandleB.jpg
Here is the question: Do I leave them as is, or do I straighten them (on my disk sander)? Straightening them makes it easier to fit in the drawer front, but this may alter some of the "handmade look". Opinion?
The third question relates to the dovetail design. I ran up a couple of mock fronts. I shall mention my own preferences, but it hearing yours would be helpful in firming up the best design. And, of course, you may suggest something else.
The first was simply to create an even set. I like this, but it is my second choice ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerA.jpg
My preference goes to a simpler, less cluttered look ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerC.jpg
The third version did not come out as I intended - the dovetails look a little too skinny. I thought the centre two dovetails from the second example should have been closer, but then also I made them even slimmer. I think that was a mistake. However, let me know what you think of the spacing ..
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerB.jpg
Regards from Perth
Derek
I am still working on preparing the drawer parts preparatory to dovetailing and assembly. It feels like I will never get there. 12 drawers at one time is more than I've done together before (6 was my previous record, and then the construction was Shaker).
Over the weekend I completed the slips, cut the drawer sides to length, and completed the drawer backs. The slips ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerF.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerE.jpg
All the parts are now done with the exception of the drawer bottoms. I have decided to make and fit these last. Usually I would fit them immediately after dovetailing the 4 sides, as it is a way of squaring the drawer. In this case, I am concerned about having too many planed boards lying around and their potential to cup. I have a jig that will ensure that the drawer is square as the glue dries. Comment?
All the parts ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerG.jpg
The second of three questions I throw open to the forum is about the next stage in the drawer build. Before I dovetail the drawers I need to fit the drawer handles. These are to be recessed into the drawer front, so I plan to complete the mortices first, dovetail the drawers, then attach the handles.
I researched these handles quite a bit, discovering that they were now all made in India - even the ones said to be made in the UK. I was fortunate to discover that one of the local Perth stores that specialised in brass had a few of the different versions in stock. Philip Marcou gave me some tips on what to look out for. All of these handles are cast brass, which then requires finishing. It appears that some companies flattened the tops with a belt sander, with the result that the plate were not flat but curved. There would be signoficant difficulties recessing curved plates into flat drawer fronts. Indeed, all but one of the brass handles I looked at were rounded over. I ended with this ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/HandleC.jpg
However, almost all the handles are slightly wavy at the edges ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/HandleA.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/HandleB.jpg
Here is the question: Do I leave them as is, or do I straighten them (on my disk sander)? Straightening them makes it easier to fit in the drawer front, but this may alter some of the "handmade look". Opinion?
The third question relates to the dovetail design. I ran up a couple of mock fronts. I shall mention my own preferences, but it hearing yours would be helpful in firming up the best design. And, of course, you may suggest something else.
The first was simply to create an even set. I like this, but it is my second choice ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerA.jpg
My preference goes to a simpler, less cluttered look ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerC.jpg
The third version did not come out as I intended - the dovetails look a little too skinny. I thought the centre two dovetails from the second example should have been closer, but then also I made them even slimmer. I think that was a mistake. However, let me know what you think of the spacing ..
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Military%20Chests/Drawers/DrawerB.jpg
Regards from Perth
Derek