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Thread: Hidden dovetail shop cabinet design

  1. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Lafayette, Indiana
    Posts
    1,378
    I'll preface this with - do whatever makes you happiest. Potentially, you will be living with this cabinet for years. What's most important to you?

    For me, my first priority would be to not have to open cabinet doors to get to the drawers.
    My next priority would be to have the drawer fronts and door fronts in the same plane.
    If just getting the thing done was high on my list, I'd probably go with inset drawers, and overlay doors and be done with it - compromising on my second priority.
    If I wasn't in a rush to knock out the project, I'd add 1 1/4" face frame around the outside with 3/4" rails for the bottom two shelves and go with two inset 5 piece doors and inset solid front drawers.

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Ramona, CA by way of Phliadelphia
    Posts
    270
    IMG_2431.jpgGot the doors installed waiting for the weather to break the humidity has been high the last few days. Don't want to sand and finish until it gets down to 20%. Still don't know what I want to do with the drawer.
    Rick

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    3,441
    But Michael, I don't see any dovetails

    Giving those dovetails a try is something on my long list of things to try someday. I have a couple of carcasses where it might have looked better with that particular dovetail joint rather than the fully exposed dovetail joint that I used.

    Your corners are very tight, good job!

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Central NC
    Posts
    156
    Thank you all for your replies, comments and suggestions. Even after a week at the beach I was no closer to a decision, so I decided to hang it up and live with it for a little bit as is before I go any further.

    So so here it is:

    IMG_0024.jpg

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Ramona, CA by way of Phliadelphia
    Posts
    270
    A most excellent idea!

  6. #21
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    twomiles from the "peak of Ohio
    Posts
    12,120
    Andrew: These aren't too bad to do, either..
    opened up.JPG
    Though these are just finger joints...
    test fit.JPG
    Not that hard to do...

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Central NC
    Posts
    156
    Steven,

    What did you use to fine tune the mitres?

    i used a chisel with 45 degree blocks above and below as the pine, especially at the thin portion above the tails, threatened to tear out. Do you use a plane?

    I find the the clean look of the mitre very pleasing and will be doing more of these after this first attempt turned out. I used some scrap reclaimed wood with nail holes and dings for this test so it will live in the shop. My lady liked it enough that a spice cabinet of similar design will be next.

    Michael

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    twomiles from the "peak of Ohio
    Posts
    12,120
    I just free-hand a chisel. powered by my chin, as I look straight down.

    Another trick would be to almost close the miters up, and use a fine saw to match then together.
    corner joints.JPG
    Box wasn't all that big..
    DSCF0015.JPG
    Glued up nicely, though....

  9. #24
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    3,441
    Quote Originally Posted by steven c newman View Post
    Andrew: These aren't too bad to do, either..
    They are very well done!

    Quote Originally Posted by steven c newman View Post
    Though these are just finger joints...

    JUST? JUST? I was told that finger joints are even harder to do by hand and make them look good. Of course, yours are hidden there, but I vaguely remember seeing some nice looking finger joints that you did by hand.

    Quote Originally Posted by steven c newman View Post
    Not that hard to do...
    It still looks hard to me. I do intend to eventually try it. Do you think that it is easier to do the hidden dovetails or the hidden finger joints?

  10. #25
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    twomiles from the "peak of Ohio
    Posts
    12,120
    I find the finger ones easier to do...

    As for the "exposed" hand cut finger/box joints..
    front view.jpg
    I might get the hang of them...someday...

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