Chester County Dresser Build-part 2

[Mike Allen1010]

I would appreciate a little coaching – should I add the second part of this build to the original thread or create a new thread? My apologies – I'm sure there must some convention, but I'm not very bright. All advice and suggestions are much appreciated!

with the disclaimer above, here is the second part of this build:

Here are the completed cornice moldings.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Panel%20Rasing%20planes/taylors%20dressser%202/1_zpstne3ksvd.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Panel%20Rasing%20planes/taylors%20dressser%202/1_zpstne3ksvd.jpg.html)

An example of one of the classic mistakes I make routinely – didn’t make enough molding !!! As you can see, last piece is a couple inches short. That means a redo of the whole molding process for those extra couple missing inches – classic example of poor planning biting you in the butt and creating extra work.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Panel%20Rasing%20planes/taylors%20dressser%202/2_zpsj8hm3yf7.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Panel%20Rasing%20planes/taylors%20dressser%202/2_zpsj8hm3yf7.jpg.html)



Here’s the cornice molding installed. Couple mistakes here; when laying out dimensions for the chest top, I should’ve considered the width that would result in the apex of the front/side edges being in an alignment with the 45° angle with the carcass. Regrettably that didn’t happen. You might might not be able to see in the pics but if I would have moved the top back by an inch or so the corners would’ve aligned– I hate when that happens!


http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Panel%20Rasing%20planes/taylors%20dressser%202/3_zpslstdfhah.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Panel%20Rasing%20planes/taylors%20dressser%202/3_zpslstdfhah.jpg.html)

Another mistake; the beaded edge of the cornice molding is almost parallel with the top of the chest so it’s not really visible – that sucks because it was an effort to create that part of the molding.





http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Panel%20Rasing%20planes/taylors%20dressser%202/5_zpsgcrqrbkn.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Panel%20Rasing%20planes/taylors%20dressser%202/5_zpsgcrqrbkn.jpg.html)

Here are a couple perspective views the carcass to date.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/3_zpsjxudhjgi.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/3_zpsjxudhjgi.jpg.html)

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/4_zpsp27rp4t7.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/4_zpsp27rp4t7.jpg.html)


Here is final, cleanup planing of the drawer components. This plane is one of my favorites .This shop built, Jack razee style plane (thank you Derek Cohen for the tutorial!) is one of my favorite finishers – the shavings shoots straight up, almost hitting me in the face. Not sure why that happens, but I think it’s cool.

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/8_zps5sphfcud.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/8_zps5sphfcud.jpg.html)


Creating the rabbits on the back of the drawer fronts.

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/9_zpsgmm9p699.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/9_zpsgmm9p699.jpg.html)


Checking the fit of the drawer fronts in the carcass so that reveals, alignment of edges are consistent.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/10_zps3kpuofb2.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/10_zps3kpuofb2.jpg.html)


Geometry raises its ugly head ! Laying out the curve for the top row of drawers. Hopefully getting a fair curve with spoke shave and rasps/files.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/12_zps8wduzc10.jpg[/URL]


N

[Mike Allen1010]

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/13_zpsb1oytnto.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/13_zpsb1oytnto.jpg.html)

Now we move into full “drawer factory” mode; laying out tails for drawer sides.

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/14_zpsvejvsho8.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/14_zpsvejvsho8.jpg.html)

Cutting said tails with two drawer sides ganged together.Kew concepts saws is one of the best tool investments I’ve made – makes sawing out dovetails close to the baseline much easier than the coping saw. I try to be time efficient and sawing out dovetails as close as possible to the baseline is the biggest timesaver I’ve experienced.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/15_zpsr6hadiir.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/15_zpsr6hadiir.jpg.html)


Some of the tails for the 9 drawers, Curved profiles for top row of drawer fronts.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/16_zpsqg2cbytt.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/16_zpsqg2cbytt.jpg.html)

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/17_zpsewbijzii.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/17_zpsewbijzii.jpg.html)


Marking out pins for half blind dovetails .I struggle with this – none of my marking knifes fit into this restricted space. How do you guys do it?
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/18_zpse0gsmfx2.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/18_zpse0gsmfx2.jpg.html)


Sawing out the sockets for half blind dovetails in drawer fronts. I do this by clamping drawer fronts high in the vice and getting on my knees to saw at an upward angle. There must be a better way, not sure what is.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/19_zpsz7yijfqe.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/19_zpsz7yijfqe.jpg.html)

[Mike Allen1010]

Sawing out the sockets for half blind dovetails in drawer fronts. I do this by clamping drawer fronts high in the vice and getting on my knees to saw at an upward angle. There must be a better way, not sure what is.

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/20_zpscd08u6cz.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/20_zpscd08u6cz.jpg.html)


Sawing out tails for drawer backs.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/21_zpslnmmgho0.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/21_zpslnmmgho0.jpg.html)


Chopping out half blind dovetails sockets on drawer fronts. I’m not really sure what the best way is to do this. I tend to chop the shoulders perpendicular to the drawer front first and then pare the tails along the grain to complete the sockets. Chisels ground at an angle to fit into the corners of dovetails sockets are essential.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/22_zpspe3l6hqu.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/22_zpspe3l6hqu.jpg.html)
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/23_zpsks8skikz.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/23_zpsks8skikz.jpg.html)


Here is the final pile of drawer components. I think something like 188 dovetails. John mentioned it would be helpful to understand how much time it takes for various elements of furniture building - making dovetails for these 9 drawers took me the equivalent of 2 full days – 70% of the time for the half blind DT in the front and 30% for through dovetails in the back. It would be easier to make through dovetails all the way around and just glue on a drawer front. Next time I’ll do a simpler joint at least for the back of drawers.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/24_zps2j1hibtf.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/24_zps2j1hibtf.jpg.html)

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/25_zpsdjsxsp23.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/25_zpsdjsxsp23.jpg.html)



Probably well known, but paring the inside edges of dovetails to extpidite a tight fit is SOP for me.

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/27_zpsx18hcsan.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/27_zpsx18hcsan.jpg.html)

[Mike Allen1010]

Here is an assembled drawer.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/28_zpszmri25uh.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/28_zpszmri25uh.jpg.html)


I try to make the back of the drawers narrower than the front by about 1/8”. My preference is to err on the side of too narrow vs. too wide. As long as the drawer front fits the opening, a narrow drawer back won’t really matter, but a wider drawer back can create a lot of headaches planing them to the required dimension.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/29_zpsen5bda3c.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/29_zpsen5bda3c.jpg.html)


Here are the assembled drawers, cleaning up pins/tales. For the half blind tails on the drawer front, a paring chisel works best for me. I have never been able to make “chisel planes, work worth crap.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/30_zps9orcbqfp.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/30_zps9orcbqfp.jpg.html)

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/31_zpsgestts6i.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/31_zpsgestts6i.jpg.html)

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/32%202_zps4fgt2xix.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/32%202_zps4fgt2xix.jpg.html)


Finally, the drawers in the chest.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/33_zpsaaj5r896.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/33_zpsaaj5r896.jpg.html)

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/34_zpsvbcqpqav.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/34_zpsvbcqpqav.jpg.html)

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/35_zpsfaocfipr.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/Taylors%20dresser/Taylors%20dresser%202/35_zpsfaocfipr.jpg.html)


Regrettably, this means all that’s left is finishing, along with carcass back\drawer bottoms. Finishing is my least favorite part of any project; my experience is only bad things can happen. Wish me luck! Thanks for looking.

All the best Mike

[Robert McNaull]

Awesome work Mike! Thanks for taking the time to share the progress. Threads like these are one of the reasons I visit this site.


Bob

[Larry Frank]

Very well done and great pictures.

[Brian Holcombe]

Beautiful work Mike!

Two full days for all of those drawers is pretty good. Best of luck on the finishing, it's a process I loathe all the same.

[Herv Peairs]

Yes, thanks for sharing. Instructional and inspiring!

Herv

[James Pallas]

Mike, that is some good looking work. Those lipped drawers and dovetails are difficult. I cut them horizontal, it seems easier to me. If I remember correctly Zach Dillinger does them that way and he is a proponent of over cutting to get closer to the corner. Either way that lip gets in the way. Well done. Nice write up too.
Jim

[Patrick McCarthy]

Mike, always LOVE your posts! Excellent, as always! Patrick

[Phil Mueller]

Thanks for the tip on the dovetail paring. And that museum curator is going to have a few things to ponder. I like that!
Nice build, well done.

[glenn bradley]

Really enjoying the ride.