Pair of Quarter Sawn White Oak Greene & Greene Inspired Blanket Chests

[Mike Allen1010]

This is a build thread for a pair of quarter sawn white oak, Greene & Greene inspired blanket chests that are roughly 35” long x 16” tall x 14” deep. I built this design a couple times before in a larger size, typically Walnut with ebony pegs for accent, which is consistent with the original design.

I’m using QSWO for these pair of chests because I really enjoy the ray fleck figure and I’m intentionally making these smaller/lighter to be more appropriate for smaller spaces. One is a gift for my twentysomething nephew and the other will be a grand experiment in trying to sell handmade furniture. I fully recognize the arrogance of the idea someone would pay money for furniture I made which reeks of hubris and likely disappointment. That said, I don’t really have any other options for my woodworking addiction – my wife and I’ve just become empty-nesters and are looking to downsize. We have way more furniture than we need and I’ve already made full sets of furniture for both our boys. Bottom line is if I want to keep making furniture I gotta find something to do with it – hence my “intention” to sell the 2nd chest, which realistically means are probably end up sitting in the garage until my wife gives it away. Space is currently occupied by coffee table I made for our youngest 6 months ago that he doesn’t have room for in his tiny apartment

Enough digression - Back to the fun build stuff:

Here’s a picture of the lumber layout in the shop. My intention is to use a single board to “wrap” the grain from the left side of the carcass across the front to the right side and then re-saw it so I can have a consistent, book matched grain pattern across the 3 show surfaces.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/1_zpsmqhzv2as.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/1_zpsmqhzv2as.jpg.html)



For me this initial lumber selection/laying out process is one of the key things that differentiates handmade furniture from commercial. I typically end up changing my mind multiple times in the layout process so easily re-erasable chock is writing instrument of choice.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/2_zpss9wijfmp.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/2_zpss9wijfmp.jpg.html)

Since I built this design a couple times before plans are super minimal. I like to attach the cut list with blue tape wherever is most visible in the shop during the stock breakdown process. My only stationary power tool is a bandsaw so rough dimensioning is done with hand saws at the saw bench. For me, saw bench is one of the most used fixtures in the shop.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3.5_zpsjbgh6ta6.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3.5_zpsjbgh6ta6.jpg.html)


After crosscutting to rough dimensions, I had to rip the stock to accommodate the 5 ½ inch resaw depth of my 14 inch bandsaw, resaw to ½” thickness and glue up panels. When I win the lotto/Rob a bank my first purchase will be the biggest, most powerful bandsaw I can find. To hold the work when jointing adjoining edges in panels to be glued up, I like to use either bird’s mouth clamping jig on bench shop or my twin screw face vice.
https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3.6_zpsyzbhzgvf.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3.6_zpsyzbhzgvf.jpg.html)

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3.7_zpssptswymb.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3.7_zpssptswymb.jpg.html)


Here’s a picture of the re-sawn carcass stock for left side, front, right side laid out prior to glue up to ensure I’ve got all the pieces in the right place. Yes, the reason I go through this step is I’ve definitely screwed this up before and ended up with grain that doesn’t match across adjacent show surfaces.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3.8_zpsfgkdyw44.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3.8_zpsfgkdyw44.jpg.html)

This is a shop made panel glue up jig out of MDF and aluminum angle iron that I use all the time. My experience is time invested in gluing up panels so there flat with Tite joints always pays off and less time spent surfacing.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3_zps36244su4.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/3_zps36244su4.jpg.html)

[Mike Allen1010]

Here are all the panel glue ups spread across every available horizontal surface in the shop.
https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/4_zpsi0flmwco.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/4_zpsi0flmwco.jpg.html)


Grain match results after glue up and initial panel surfacing. I like to rough panel surfacing before sawing to final dimensions so that any spelching resulting from cross grain planing is sawing off in final dimensioning.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/5_zpsnd7d9wvr.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/5_zpsnd7d9wvr.jpg.html)

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/6_zpstf6vndlz.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/6_zpstf6vndlz.jpg.html)

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/7_zpshiypbmmn.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/7_zpshiypbmmn.jpg.html)

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/8_zpstdpce80b.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/8_zpstdpce80b.jpg.html)

Given I don’t have a table saw, the panel gauge is essential tool for ripping panels to width parallel edges. Earlier versions of my shop made panel gauge is had cutting blades, but now I can’t see those layout marks so easily so panel gauge now as 9 mm wide mechanical pencil.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/9%202_zpsad4phaom.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/9%202_zpsad4phaom.jpg.html)


It’s always interesting to me how much my power tool woodworking friends are surprised/impressed with accuracy of dimensioning glued up panels that’s easily achieved with well-tuned hand saws.
LV shooting plane is my most expensive hand tool splurge and for me worth every penny – performs critically important, fundamental dimensioning tasks exceptionally well.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/10_zpspzpje32f.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/10_zpspzpje32f.jpg.html)

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/11_zpszmvx0kqc.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/11_zpszmvx0kqc.jpg.html)

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/12.5_zpstpo0zrkq.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/12.5_zpstpo0zrkq.jpg.html)

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/12_zpsbnqt8cvf.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/12_zpsbnqt8cvf.jpg.html)

Final check is do all the complementary carcass pieces look the same.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/13_zpsxid3frix.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/13_zpsxid3frix.jpg.html)

Here’s the layout for the large carcass finger joints characteristic of the Greene & Greene style, and bevel on the edge of the finger joints. For me easier to plane the bevel with block plane prior to cutting the joints.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/14_zpsdgxzbkxz.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/14_zpsdgxzbkxz.jpg.html)

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/15_zpstfelg53r.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/15_zpstfelg53r.jpg.html)

[Mike Allen1010]

Here is sawing out finger joints and carcass sides prior to glue up.

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/16_zpsp0sf2jja.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/16_zpsp0sf2jja.jpg.html)

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/17_zps0fkohfcc.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/17_zps0fkohfcc.jpg.html)


Design calls for contrasting, ornamental square plugs aligned with carcass joinery. In the past, making these chests out of walnut ebony was a no-brainer choice consistent with original design. For QSWO I’m considering Purple Heart, Bubinga and Cocobolo. I very much appreciate any advice/suggestions about which you think looks best?

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/18_zpsxlgmkrz0.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/18_zpsxlgmkrz0.jpg.html)

Thanks for looking.

All the best, Mike

[ken hatch]

Mike,

As always, beautiful work. I loved being a voyeur and getting a good look see at you shop.

Thanks,

ken

[Mark Rainey]

Mike, thank you for the pictures. The hand tool methods of work is enjoyable to follow. I have a panel gauge and also use a pencil for the marker instead of a blade.

[David Eisenhauer]

"My name is Mike and I am a handsaw addict":). Thanks for the chamfering tip (pre tail cutting) Mike. For your square plugs, what will the finish bring your QSWO to? I don't always care as much for a strong contrasting feature (like plugs), but do like a slightly darker complimentary hue to go with the carcase coloring. From here, the middle plug blanks (Bubinga?) look ok. Who knows where the purple heart will settle in and the cocobolo I've used (while very pretty) ended up pretty dark. Hard to say know in my opinion. Glad to see that you are off and running on another build. I am particularly interested in this project because I strongly considered that extended-end dovetail look for a blanket chest i did last year. I did not use it, but it has stuck in my brain since then.

[Jim Koepke]

Looks good, the proudness of Greene & Greene joinery has always appealed to me.

jtk

[Jim Matthews]

Nice illustration of the overlooked, essential skills in making panels. Aren't the G&G pegs traditionally made of Ebony?

I would suggest the material which can take "pillow" sculpting easily and stain darkest.

Personally, I like the lightest color with the Oak as shown.
(Unstained)

https://youtu.be/HLopA6NF7dk

[Phil Mueller]

Yeah! Another Mike project. Always enjoy your builds. Hard to say on the plugs. I think I would finish a scrap of oak and a variety of plug scraps and then decide.

[Brian Hale]

Hey Mike

This is a Toy Chest i recently finished and is heading for Texas this Sunday. For the plugs i used mahogany stained with Minwax red mahogany. The end grain really soaks up the stain and they come out dark. In general i prefer softer woods for plugs like this, a slight taper with a chisel and they conform well with the hole.

416010

[Andrew Hughes]

White oak is such a nice wood to work with. I just love the smell.
This is a nice pic you captured Mike.

[Wayne Collier]

Mike

Thank you for the build. Can't wait to see pictures of the final products. Make sure you immediately take photos as I'm confident the 2nd one will be sold quickly.

Wayne

[michael langman]

I was thrilled to see you doing another build Mike. Your posts are most enjoyable, and you are being too modest,:), that second blanket chest will not be around for long.

[Christopher Charles]

Hi Mike,

Congratulations on having fledged all the chicks from the nest! My first (of two) flew last month!

Great to see another build thread from you. I like the panel jig-can you post a picture or two without the panels? The QSWO panel look fabulous. Do you plan to go full traditional with an ammonia fume? (pretty easy actually-I know you're such a fan of finishing, LOL).

And, I must say that it is a relief to see a new bandsaw in your shop. Here's a potential upgrade for when you win the lotto:

https://www.theequipmenthub.com/buy-machinery/yates-american-y-36-direct-drive-36-vertical-band-saw/

[Mike Allen1010]

Mike,

As always, beautiful work. I loved being a voyeur and getting a good look see at you shop.

Thanks,

ken

Thanks Ken. I always enjoy seeing other people's shops – I always come away with ideas about what might work for mine.

My shop is the equivalent of a single car garage with 20 foot ceilings, a window and a door. Like most of us, I've had a range of different shop configurations over the years. The thing I like most about my current shop is the light and airflow from the doors and windows. Also it's a blessing not to have to push all the tools against the walls to try and fit a car when the LOML decides that's a good idea.


Next time you're in the area please stop by for some hand tool fun – tacos and tequila after on me!

[Mike Allen1010]

"My name is Mike and I am a handsaw addict":). Thanks for the chamfering tip (pre tail cutting) Mike. For your square plugs, what will the finish bring your QSWO to? I don't always care as much for a strong contrasting feature (like plugs), but do like a slightly darker complimentary hue to go with the carcase coloring. From here, the middle plug blanks (Bubinga?) look ok. Who knows where the purple heart will settle in and the cocobolo I've used (while very pretty) ended up pretty dark. Hard to say know in my opinion. Glad to see that you are off and running on another build. I am particularly interested in this project because I strongly considered that extended-end dovetail look for a blanket chest i did last year. I did not use it, but it has stuck in my brain since then.

David, thanks for your interest – hopefully this build thread will help you decide if you want to build a similar project. One unique thing about the Greene Greene "extended finger joint" design is that cleaning up glue squeeze out is a real headache as compared to dovetails when you can simply plane the whole side of the carcass clean. Cleaning up the squeeze out required quite a bit of time with chisels/sandpaper etc. guess I won't know if I succeeded until I put on the finish.

Using Matching/contrasting woods in a project is always a headache for me as "design" questions like this are absolutely not my strength. That's why I prefer copying existing designs were somebody else already made the decision.

The original design was Walnut with ebony pegs which IMHO, looks great. That was my first version of this chest and probably one of the first things I made that the boss allowed in the house. I made this in QSWO before and I thought the reddish tint of cocobolo/but bingo/Purple Heart look a little better than the black ebony. Again the boss decided cocobolo was way to go. I've had the same experience – cocobolo darkens pretty significantly over time and sort of loses the reddish hue. I'm thinking about maybe putting on a protective coat of shellac over just the plugs before finishing the rest of the chest, in an effort to try and retains much of the reddish color as I can.

Thanks for looking, Mike

[Mike Allen1010]

Nice illustration of the overlooked, essential skills in making panels. Aren't the G&G pegs traditionally made of Ebony?

I would suggest the material which can take "pillow" sculpting easily and stain darkest.

Personally, I like the lightest color with the Oak as shown.
(Unstained)

https://youtu.be/HLopA6NF7dk

Jim,

Thanks a lot for providing the link to William Ng's video describing his method for making the "pillowed" plugs. I wish I would've seen this before I made mine – nice to be able to substitute electrons for little bit of elbow grease!

After ripping plug stock to correct dimensions, I glue down 3 grit sandpaper: 220, 400 and 600. I just drag the edges over the grits of sandpaper respectively and then buff on a cotton buffing pad in the drill press with a little bit of abrasive grit. End result is my plugs have more of a pronounced chamfer around the edges, rather than a rounded "pillow" look. I'm okay with that – the chamfered plugs sort of mimic the chamfered edges of the finger joints. I'm gonna call that happy accident – "carefully thought-out design choice"!

Best, Mike

[Mike Allen1010]

Hey Mike

This is a Toy Chest i recently finished and is heading for Texas this Sunday. For the plugs i used mahogany stained with Minwax red mahogany. The end grain really soaks up the stain and they come out dark. In general i prefer softer woods for plugs like this, a slight taper with a chisel and they conform well with the hole.

416010


Very nice Brian – looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing the pics:)

[Mike Allen1010]

White oak is such a nice wood to work with. I just love the smell.
This is a nice pic you captured Mike.

Andrew great to hear from you – thanks for the feedback.

Funny you should mention the smell of white oak, when Sherrie walked in the shop the other day she said the same thing – "most great in here – where did you move all your running shoes?"

This quarter sawn white oak has been a challenge to plane without tearout. Particularly for pieces with reversing grain around where branches were growing etc. I ended up getting a lot of use out of the card scraper, but still couldn't completely erase some of the tearout. I'm hoping with enough rubbed out shellac/grain filling no one will notice.

Best, Mike

[Mike Allen1010]

Hi Mike,

Congratulations on having fledged all the chicks from the nest! My first (of two) flew last month!

Great to see another build thread from you. I like the panel jig-can you post a picture or two without the panels? The QSWO panel look fabulous. Do you plan to go full traditional with an ammonia fume? (pretty easy actually-I know you're such a fan of finishing, LOL).

And, I must say that it is a relief to see a new bandsaw in your shop. Here's a potential upgrade for when you win the lotto:

https://www.theequipmenthub.com/buy-machinery/yates-american-y-36-direct-drive-36-vertical-band-saw/

Chris,

I have to confess having the Boys out of the house is been a bit of an adjustment – pretty quiet around here now, which I guess just makes it that much better when they visit.

I'll try and take/post pictures of the panel marking jig; I made 2 large and small for different size jobs – both work pretty well.

I couldn't possibly imagine trying to do the traditional ammonia fume finish – rather have needles in my eye! I'll probably go with my usual – oil/varnish mix followed by French polish shellac and paste wax. Knowing my nephew, probably not a practical choice for durability, but at least it will look good when he picks it up (I hope).

Many thanks to our fellow Creeker Mike K. for the 14" Gizzly bandsaw in my shop. It's a huge upgrade from the 30-year-old Delta knockoff I had previously that I was constantly repairing/nursing/tweaking to try and get a straight cut. Mike K. You're the best!

OMG the 36 inch Yates bandsaw in your link is an absolute monster! Although I'd like to have something bigger/more powerful. Something like the Yates is way out of my league – although I guess I can dream!

Cheers, Mike

[Matthew Springer]

>I'll probably go with my usual – oil/varnish mix followed by French polish shellac and paste wax.

Do you pre-seal with a shellac layer first? This sounds similar to what I've been gravitating towards: TT Varnish/oil then shellac/alchohol mix on top. Then paste wax over that.

[Mike Allen1010]

Matt, finishing is my least favorite part of woodworking. My experience is lots of opportunity for screw up and little chance of making the project appreciably better. Please take my coments re: finishing with huge grain of salt.


My go to finish is Watco oil/varnishask first. I think sanding the Watco with 600 grit sandpaper helps a little bit with filing grain , particularly in open grain woods like Oak. Also I think it helps bring out the figure.

After that I pad on shellac (I strongly prefer fresh made from blonde flakes). For me, shellac allows me to quickly build a a finished surface with depth.Again I’ No expert- I’ve just learned to make this finish work for me over time. Please know YMMV.

Best, Mike

[Rob Luter]

Design calls for contrasting, ornamental square plugs aligned with carcass joinery. In the past, making these chests out of walnut ebony was a no-brainer choice consistent with original design. For QSWO I’m considering Purple Heart, Bubinga and Cocobolo. I very much appreciate any advice/suggestions about which you think looks best?

https://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/mikeallen1010/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/18_zpsxlgmkrz0.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/mikeallen1010/media/QSWO%20Chest%20-%202/18_zpsxlgmkrz0.jpg.html)

Thanks for looking.

All the best, Mike

I use rosewood or walnut. I prefer rosewood as shown below.

416354