Mahogany chest

[John Zilinskas]

Here is a small preview of a honduras mahogany blanket chest I am working on. Panels are on sides, as well as both front and back. Should be done shortly. Still need to put in the sliding storage tray. Disregard the mismatch color issues as they are from sanding and will be gone when completed. The epay inside has yellow sanding residue which showed up with the camera which will be gone when finishing. I got the wood off a guy from Craigslist cheap.:D I let it sit inside with a fan over it for the last few months to stabilize the moisture content. Was high when I brought it home and after 4 months of winter heat its reading good now. Top is solid, no ply. I'll post further images if any interest.



http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm147/ukhorsey/DSCN0200.jpghttp://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm147/ukhorsey/DSCN0201.jpg
http://s295.photobucket.com/albums/mm147/ukhorsey/?action=view&current=DSCN0200.jpghttp://s295.photobucket.com/albums/mm147/ukhorsey/?action=view&current=DSCN0200.jpg

[Jim Becker]

Fine looking chest, John!

[J. Z. Guest]

Looks great so far. Of course we are interested in seeing the finished product!

I have to say that raised panels on chests always remind me of caskets though. :(

[gary Zimmel]

John

Fine job on the chest so far. Can't wait to see it finished..

[John Thompson]

Great start.. hopefully great finish!

Sarge..

[John Zilinskas]

Here is an updated shot after I just completed the finish.
Will post some interior shots of sliding drawer once lid is screwed back on.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm147/ukhorsey/DSCN0214.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm147/ukhorsey/DSCN0215.jpg

[Dave MacArthur]

Great looking chest. How did you attach the end boards to the top to account for wood movement? Tongue and groove with a pin on front? Looks very tight.

Great looking sheen, what finish did you use?

[John Zilinskas]

Great looking chest. How did you attach the end boards to the top to account for wood movement? Tongue and groove with a pin on front? Looks very tight.

Good question keen eye.
Great looking sheen, what finish did you use?

I had built one of these exactly the same about five years ago out of hard maple. I saw plans that called for the end board to attached as shown, with tenons, no pins. I was concerned about the movement in that area also, especially using biscuits, but tried it anyway as a test and I have seen no problems from such. After five years there is no problem at all with it with the joints and seems to deny what I've read. We'll see 10 years down the line, but as of now after 5 years it looks to work. I like the end board positioned as such as it keeps the top from bowing that you can get a little with a large top like this due to humidity changes.

The plan that I saw called for a mortise and tenon on the end board, however I used biscuits. Faster and tighter. I realize what you are saying and are always aware of movement, but my previous one saw no ill effects yet.
If it fails I'll rip the end off and use another method.

Finish is 2 coats spray sanding sealer followed by 3 coats lacquer spray, satin.


Heres a pic of that joint on the other one after five years in a room with a gas log and very high humidity in the summer. Maybe the biscuits hold and each board expands and contracts into each other. I am not sure but it works.
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm147/ukhorsey/DSCN0217.jpg