Walnut table hutch - in progress

[John Keeton]

A month or so ago, I posted a sketch in the design forum asking for comments.

Well, I finally got going on this project and thought I would post some progress pics for those that may have an interest. I have several furniture projects over the years, and most were not an attempt to reproduce any particular period piece, but more a compilation of my thoughts. My skills, as little as they are, have been accumulated, as my Dad used to say, through the “school of hard knocks.” They could use some refining, and the knowledge I have gained from SMC has been substantial. I hope that I am putting some of it to good use.

This particular piece will replace an oak bookcase/secretary in our great room. I have had, for several years, a set of walnut legs from an old table. They are hand turned, and far from perfect. To make matters worse, in a past life, I had put poly on them. Stripping them was a nightmare!

The walnut for this project has been in the barn for several years, and to be honest, I don’t recall where I got it. Most of it is pretty rough and I am running into a lot of waste.

I am building this in three units, the table base, the drawer unit, and the hutch top.

This first post will show the original sketch (that is the entire set of plans!), the legs, resizing the legs so they are at least close to all being the same size, enjoying my LV BU Jack, and beading the aprons. This is the first project on which I have truly used some handtools. Just to make things more interesting, this is also the first time I have used the Domino.

More posts will follow to catch up to where I am in this build. Then, as I make progress, I will add to the thread. Thanks for looking, and feel free to comment – good or bad – or to make suggestions that may be helpful in the future.

[John Keeton]

This is the front apron after ripping for the drawer fronts. I used one piece of wood for the entire apron so the grain would match across the drawer fronts.

The other pics show the glue up of the table base, and the first drawer frame for the drawer unit that sits on top of the table.

Most importantly, I learned a couple of valuable lessons. I intended to mold the edges of the drawer frames after construction. Unfortunately, I failed to account for the misplaced dominos. I ended up rebuilding both frames.

[John Keeton]

This is where I am today. The table base and the drawers are glued up. The knobs on the drawers are actually the size that will be used on the larger drawers in the table. I have smaller 3/4" knobs on order for the smaller drawers.

And, the base frame for the drawer unit is complete with drawer stops, guides, and the aprons installed. However, the top frame of the unit is not attached, nor is the drawer unit attached to the tabletop. I will probably wait until all construction of the top hutch is done before I complete the assembly.

[Von Bickley]

John,

It's looking GOOD..... Thanks for sharing the pictures with us. Keep us up-dated.

[John Keeton]

These are more pics of the drawers with hand cut dovetails. I used poplar drawer sides. The other pics show the apron beading, the back of the drawer unit (which will be enclosed and have some vertical supports installed) and the front of the table base with the openings for the lower drawers.

Some of you may recall a thread I posted two or three months ago of my first dovetails. I did several thru dovetails for practice, but only one half blind. I got side tracked with some other events, including an ice storm, etc. So, these drawers are really only my second attempt at half blinds. They aren’t perfect, but I am pleased with them.

I installed drawer guides using an adaptation of Mark Singer's idea of having minimal contact with the drawer. These guides work great, and even with no wax on the bottom of the drawer sides, they open and close smoothly. Once I get the finish applied, I will wax the drawer bottoms.

Next will be the drawers for the table base. Once those are complete (hopefully by tomorrow), I will post pics of the drawers in place. I will spend some time sanding on the legs. Most of the sanding is done on the rest of the completed portions.

Then on to the hutch!!

[gary Zimmel]

Looks like this project is coming along very well.

Great job on the 1/2 blinds.

Thanks for taking the time to do a build post. I always seem to pick up a couple of tips.
Keep the pics coming.

[John Keeton]

Hey Gary, so how was the trip to LV?? Used some of the new Blue Spruce chisels on the dovetails, but haven't received my new marker, skews and fishtail yet.

[gary Zimmel]

Always love a trip to LV John.

Just about kept my wallet in my pocket for the whole time.

You are making great time with those drawers if you are going to have the next two done by tomorrow.

[Von Bickley]

GREAT looking dovetails on those drawers......

[John Keeton]

Thanks Von! They don't come easily for me yet, but I am enjoying them more. The first practice runs were a bit stressful.

[Bruce Page]

John, those dovetails look excellent!

I received my Cosman DVD’s & book today!!

[Dewey Torres]

Way to go John! I am guessing Gene Howe had something to do with the inspiration to get going on this again. Even if not, you have us watching

[Jim Kountz]

John, this is looking great!! Fantastic job with the HB's. What did you use to profile the tops edges and the drawer unit edges??

[John Keeton]

Thanks Jim and Dewey. Jim, I used a tabletop bit (Woodriver), but held it down a little so that I got a gentle and smooth transition into the profile instead of a definitive line. I ended up with a very slight "dip" in one area of the table top, and didn't want to accentuate that with a sharp line. Then I did a round over on the bottom of the table top, and the top frame of the drawer unit to meet the rounded edge from the top profile.

Bruce, you will enjoy watching those DVDs, both the first, second and third time! Bet you are anxious for the rest of the toys to come in so you can get started.

[George Sanders]

I am in awe of your creativity. Beautiful. I now have some inspiration of what could be done with my growing pile of walnut.