My First Design

[Ben Arnott]

I'm not sure if I'm breaking protocol or something, but I created a few blog entries on the process of building this beast in case anyone is interested. I'm sure I could learn some better ways to do things from you guys, so your feedback is appreciated if you do decide to take a look. Thanks!

Ben

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/entry.ph...Cabinet-Part-1

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/entry.ph...Cabinet-Part-2

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/entry.ph...Cabinet-Part-3

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/entry.ph...Cabinet-Part-4

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/entry.ph...Cabinet-Part-5

[Von Bickley]

Ben,

That is one beautiful piece of furniture. The legs are not what I would have used, but everybody has a different taste.

Beautiful wood and a beautiful piece of fine furniture...... Looks like GREAT Craftsmanship.....

[Michael MacDonald]

ben - I liked the legs... your design? you make that curve on a bandsaw?

congratulations on selling the piece... I hope you made a healthy profit. that has got to make you feel good....

[Ben Arnott]

ben - I liked the legs... your design? you make that curve on a bandsaw?

congratulations on selling the piece... I hope you made a healthy profit. that has got to make you feel good....

Thanks Michael! Yeah it feels validating. I never know if people are going to like what I do. Like most woodworkers I guess, I do it for my own satisfaction, but we all want people to appreciate and like our work I think. Yes the legs and the piece are my design. I made the curve on a bandsaw and then cleaned up the curve on an oscillating sander. I flattened the straight part with hand planes and then card scraped the whole leg. My blog goes into greater detail of the operation. The trick for cutting the opposite profile on the leg was to save the cutoff and use it to support the leg while cutting the second adjacent side. i couldn't trace my pattern on a curved profile, it had to be on a square edge.

I got another order this morning. It looks like I'll be making at least two more of these in the next 4-6 weeks.

[Dan Hahr]

Perhaps I am just not seeing it, but where are the coved pieces that were made on the table saw used?
Dan

[Ben Arnott]

Hi Dan, the top rails (underneath the cabinet top) are coved on all for sides of the cabinet to match the flare of the top of the leg. The cove starts flush at the door fronts and works up and out toward the cabinet top edge. The top rails have groves on the backside to catch the wood buttons (or clips) holding the cabinet top on.

MC0U8598.jpg

[Dan Hahr]

OK Now I see it. I thought that was where you would use it, just couldn't tell from the other pics.
Very nice work.
Dan

[Dan Hahr]

Well, I guess I should have looked more closely, as it is pretty apparant in the photos. T
hanks again, Dan

[Mark Valsi]

Exceptional work !! The design is great, and execution thereof is outstanding. However, to my eye, the top[ should have been all of the same wood, either one would have sufficed.

Great job

[John Sanford]

Beautiful design and craftsmanship. I agree with Mark about the top, but I don't know which I would have chosen for it, the maple or the cherry!

[Ben Arnott]

Thanks John/Mark! I totally agree with you. I was pressed for time, and the second additional Curly Maple board I set out for the two other Maple top pieces was so warped that I decided to improvise. There's no major commitment since I can always swap the top out. Thanks for the feedback though.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/entry.ph...Cabinet-Part-6

[Ben Arnott]

Extreamly nice work. I wish I knew how to use a hand plane like that. That's one thing I have never used.
Donny

Thanks Donny! If you're interested in incorporating hand planes into your woodworking, I would recommend Hand Plane Essentials by Christopher Schwarz. It covers all aspects of getting into hand planes, from choosing your first plane, tuning them and actually using them for best results. You can't beat a hand planed surface. Great book. http://www.shopwoodworking.com/produ...ne-essentials/

[Ray McGrath]

I love the leg design. the panels really add to the piece.
Ray

[Bruce Page]

Beautiful work Ben and congrats on your commission.

[Bobby O'Neal]

Really nice, Ben. Well done.