Blanket/Toy chest completed (pics)

[Jerry Olexa]

This was to be a "quicky" project using some newly acquired walnut. My daughter wanted to use it as a toy chest now and later perhaps, as a blanket chest. Using no particular plans, I started a quick, functional toy box.. As my daughter watched its progress, she added she might also use as a coffee table. Our 14 month old grandaughter, I'm sure , will have a say in its final use. Delivered it yesterday so we'll see. The "quicky" project ended up over 2 months as safety hinge and wood movement issues intervened. Here's a few pics....

[Roy Wall]

I'd say Grandpa did good!!!!!!

Beautiful work Jerry!!

[Christopher Stahl]

Very nice work, Jerry!

[Dave Ray]

Real nice Jerry, that will be around for a long time. Will be a box for memories and more. "Grandpa made me this when I was just a little girl, even younger than you."

[Steve Beadle]

Beautiful project, Jerry. And I especially love that adorable hood ornament in the third picture!
Steve

[Keith Webster]

very nice!

[Ralph Okonieski]

Very nice work !! I've been thinking about a blanket chest as my next project. You may have convinced me ! Love the walnut.

[John D Watson]

Really nice work Jerry, and I can see quickie has taken on new meaning for you as well.

[Bruce Page]

Beautiful chest Jerry, I love the color of the walnut. Two months to build would’ve been a quickie for me.
Your daughter & granddaughter will have to fight over this one! ;)

[Jim Becker]

Beautiful job, Jerry!

[everett lowell]

Nice job Jerry, I'm working on one myself out of pine,the customer said "pine-poly inside and out" is it a good idea to poly the inside? ( I think I'll be using waterbase poly) maybe a wash coat to seal the wood??? they said it was for extra sheets and stuff.:confused:

[Mike Waddell]

Great work, Jerry. The ornamentation you show on top of your project in the third picture is precious!

Mike

[Greg Funk]

Beautiful work Jerry.

A couple of questions:
- Are the braces on the underside of the lid meant to keep the lid flat?
- How did you attach the braces?

thanks,

Greg

[Jerry Olexa]

Nice job Jerry, I'm working on one myself out of pine,the customer said "pine-poly inside and out" is it a good idea to poly the inside? ( I think I'll be using waterbase poly) maybe a wash coat to seal the wood??? they said it was for extra sheets and stuff.:confused:

Not a good idea to poly the inside IMHO. The "gas" will be there forever and impact the sheets/blankets. Shellac will "cure" quickly and eliminate that issue. Its best to no finish at all on the interior chest. I did shellac mine.

[Jerry Olexa]

Beautiful work Jerry.

A couple of questions:
- Are the braces on the underside of the lid meant to keep the lid flat?
- How did you attach the braces?

thanks,

Greg

Greg: I mortised out a hidden goove w/ my router (on the bottom side)for the fasteners to "float" freely. No glue was used. The fasteners (sq dr Kregs) were fastened fairly loosely and then tightened 1/4 turn and then covered with a wooden insert round plug. Inside, they were in a slot fashioned to allow the screw to move as the wood encountered seasonal changes. I believe this will handle the wood movement issue.. As far as flatness, YES, I wanted to protect against later cupping/bowing that could occurr w the seasonsl and resulting wood wooment....Just an ounce of prevention...HTH

[Nancy Laird]

Jerry, what a beautiful piece. The shine coming off that top is just lucious. The hood ornament in pic #3 isn't bad either. I'd do a blow-up of that picture and give it to her when she sets up housekeeping and takes it with her. Just the thing to hang on the wall above the chest.

Ya dun good!

Nancy

[Jerry Olexa]

Really nice work Jerry, and I can see quickie has taken on new meaning for you as well.

Yes, I believe I'll have a quicky right now:cool: :D :) Oh Well, realistically, back to the next project:)

[Michael Pfau]

You gotta love walnut!

[Jerry Olexa]

You gotta love walnut!

Up to now, Cherry was my #1. You're right, Walnut is not too shabby:D :) :cool:

[Al Navas]

Well done, Jerry! You did a terrific job with the finish.


.

[Ron Jones near Indy]

If you don't like walnut (especially when made into something this nice) you might have the wrong hobby!:eek: Very nice Jerry--that'll be in the family a long, long time.

[Ben Grunow]

Arent you the one who claimed to not know what chisels were for?

A fine piece and one to be treasured for generations.

[Bob Michaels]

Nice work Jerry, love the detail.

[Jerry Olexa]

Arent you the one who claimed to not know what chisels were for?

A fine piece and one to be treasured for generations.

Ben, you're right. I did use my Marples and some old chisels to clean up glue in corners on this chest and also help rabbett corners for the hinges. I'm learning:)

[Pete Brown]

Very nice Jerry. It looks really sharp.

I know you were on the other "safety" threads. Did you end up putting any air holes/gaps in this one? That's especially important because it's so large.

Pete

[Jeffrey Makiel]

Jerry, that looks great!
-Jeff :)

[Karl Laustrup]

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry. That really is a beautiful piece.

I do hope it's signed as that will be in the family for many years to come.

We do need to get together for lunch again soon. :)

Karl

[William McLellan]

Jerry-

Did you use shellac on the exterior as well? What color?

Bill

[Anthony Anderson]

That is Beautiful Jerry! Be proud of that one, as I am sure your daughter is. That will be in the family forever. Is that Amber Shellac over the walnut? Thanks for sharing. Regards, Bill

[Jerry Olexa]

Jerry-

Did you use shellac on the exterior as well? What color?

Bill

The finish is sand to 220, BLO, cure a week and then padding on several coats of garnett dewaxed shellac on followed by MUCH rubbing w the DA/shellac mixture on a pad to get the right lustre..Yes, I used shellac everywhere on this piece. No further topcoat..

[Jerry Olexa]

That is Beautiful Jerry! Be proud of that one, as I am sure your daughter is. That will be in the family forever. Is that Amber Shellac over the walnut? Thanks for sharing. Regards, Bill

Thanks Anthony: Its garnett dewaxwed from flakes. Gives a slightly darker look..

[Jerry Olexa]

Very nice Jerry. It looks really sharp.

I know you were on the other "safety" threads. Did you end up putting any air holes/gaps in this one? That's especially important because it's so large.

Pete

Pete: I did not add air holes but did mount 2 heavy duty safety hinges (in addition to the 48" piano hinge). Frankly, Its pretty hard to close that puppy. My daughter has been strictly lectured on the possible perils for our grandaughter.:) I feel pretty safe. Those safety hinge really work when u get the proper strength installed..

[Pete Brown]

Pete: I did not add air holes but did mount 2 heavy duty safety hinges (in addition to the 48" piano hinge). Frankly, Its pretty hard to close that puppy. My daughter has been strictly lectured on the possible perils for our grandaughter.:) I feel pretty safe. Those safety hinge really work when u get the proper strength installed..

Glad to hear it :) I'm sure everyone will love it.

Pete

[John Lucas]

I don't know which I like best: The chest, the "ornamentation in the 3rd picture" or the fantastic finish. All are letter perfect. She doesnt appreciate it now, but she will many years later. An heirloom in the making.

[Alan Tolchinsky]

I wish all my "quickie" projects turned out like that. :) I like the raised panels and the base. The walnut is just beautiful.

[Irvin Cooper]

Jerry,

Very beautiful work! Daughter & grandkids will be proud for a very long time.

Nicely done.

Irv

[John Miliunas]

Holy cats, Jerry! And you're looking at which chisels to try??? :eek: Like I said before, your skills are worthy of the best ones out there! (Well, ok, the LN's may not be the very best but, they're right up there, IMHO.) :) Beautiful job on the chest, my friend! You've done that Walnut justice on a piece which is surely destined to be a family heirloom! Now, go get yourself those chisels! :D :cool:

[Neil Lamens]

Hi Jerry:

Nice Job Daddio!!!! Another fun part of being a grandpa!!!! I like that you didn't really use plans.

[Jerry Olexa]

Hi Jerry:

Nice Job Daddio!!!! Another fun part of being a grandpa!!!! I like that you didn't really use plans.

Thanks. Yes, I used no plans but as a result, I overbuilt it!! Its a little big @ 24" X 50" but at least its unique:D :) . Most Blanket chests are roughly18" X 42" etc. It really was supposed to be a quickie project