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Thread: NBSS Tool Chest Build

  1. #46
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    The old pueblo in el norte.
    Posts
    1,844
    It's looking great! I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes.
    ~mike

    happy in my mud hut

  2. #47
    Look at it this way, most people, including me, have not even started yet.

  3. #48
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    N. Idaho
    Posts
    1,621
    Thanks gentlemen. Thomas, hope you've started yours


    Have completed dovetailing the drawers and have them fit to the carcass. Here's my set up using some scrap cut to length for the narrow drawers supplemented for the longer drawers:

    IMG_9830 (1).jpgIMG_9831 (1).jpg

    IMG_9832 (1).jpg


    Right now they are too tight and need to go back and finish dialing them in. Can be a bit loose since we're in our dry season--any thoughts on how snug to keep them?
    "You can observe a lot just by watching."
    --Yogi Berra

  4. #49
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    2,758
    I normally make the sides and back a little lower then tune the fronts for a good fit.

  5. #50
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    N. Idaho
    Posts
    1,621
    Hi all,

    I think I'll call this chest the "journeyman's chest" because all the journeys inside and outside the shop that have transpired since I started it! The latest distractions in the shop have been upgraded dust collection and 13 windows worth of interior trim. Decided I better get this one done before the next round of house projects is assigned.

    I fitted the drawers, making them snug but not piston fit. I used the 'be able to close it pushing with one finger on a corner' guide. Pretty sure I saw that from George Wilson here on SMC.

    I also picked up some antiqued brass knobs from LV for a reasonable price. I bought three sizes and some extras because I wasn't sure what size(s) would look best. Here's a couple configurations:

    IMG_9867 (2).jpgIMG_9868 (2).jpg

    It's subtle, but there's a difference.
    "You can observe a lot just by watching."
    --Yogi Berra

  6. #51
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Clarks Summit PA
    Posts
    1,733
    Drawers look good Chris. Drawers that fit perfect usually end up getting stuck in summer. Good decision not to go for "piston fit".

  7. #52
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Fairbanks AK
    Posts
    1,566
    Quote Originally Posted by Christopher Charles View Post
    Can be a bit loose since we're in our dry season--any thoughts on how snug to keep them?
    I built a tool cabinet with sliding trays in it over this winter (dry season) and got them to slide easily just as the spring thaw was starting. Now that I am coming to the end of my wet season my sliding trays are tighter than they were in March. There is one I definitely need to take down a hair, a couple I am going to leave alone.

    I used at least three coats of SCJohnson floor wax on all the load bearing bits, red oak. My shop is somewhat climate controlled, usually +55dF and 5-10% RH in winter, +70 to +80 dF in Summer with ambient RH, 70-80%. They really didn't move that much, but I was fairly selective in the grain patterns I chose for both the slips on the sliding trays and the guides attached to the cabinet walls.

    Yes my sliding trays are a little tight in the wet season, but I don't want them too loose in the dry season either. Figure out where you will take the next shavings from and wait for it is my advice.

  8. #53
    Quote Originally Posted by Christopher Charles View Post
    Hi all,

    I think I'll call this chest the "journeyman's chest" because all the journeys inside and outside the shop that have transpired since I started it! The latest distractions in the shop have been upgraded dust collection and 13 windows worth of interior trim. Decided I better get this one done before the next round of house projects.
    You are still increasing your lead, Christopher. I am still working on dust collection. That design doesn’t look big, but it has a huge amount of storage. Good job.

  9. #54
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    N. Idaho
    Posts
    1,621
    Thanks Scott. The next couple weeks will tell as we start to get rain again in October. Expect the drawers may need another swipe or two, but they are close now.

    Thomas, hope you've finished your dust collection and I agree the design holds a surprising amount, which was revealed when making the drawer bottoms.
    "You can observe a lot just by watching."
    --Yogi Berra

  10. #55
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    N. Idaho
    Posts
    1,621
    Getting close to the finish line (pun intended).

    I used traditional ~1/8" thick drawer stops, attached by lining up the drawer front and reaching in from behind through another drawer to glue down. Required two rounds for the four rows of drawers.

    IMG_1107 (1).jpg

    And a couple evenings hiding my sins:

    before and after cover some gappy dovetails with tapered wedges:

    IMG_1138.jpgIMG_1143.jpg

    And a bit more embarrassing was when, I don't remember how, I either mis-marked or mis-sawed one of the corners on the back mitered dovetail corner. Sigh-at least it wasn't on the front-LOL...

    I cut and chiseled out a clean spot and glued in a fitted wedge. We'll see how noticeable it is in the final piece.
    IMG_1141.jpg

    IMG_1142.jpg

    Currently finish planning and will start finishing next week (family travel this weekend). Thanks for following along.

    Chris
    "You can observe a lot just by watching."
    --Yogi Berra

  11. #56
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    N. Idaho
    Posts
    1,621
    First coat of finish is always my favorite moment of every project (one coat of BLO and then shellac and wax).

    IMG_1189.jpg

    Can also see the drawer stops here. I will note I did have to re-level a couple drawers to the carcass face after the stops dried in place. I did make sure to set them even or a bit proud.

    Was able to get about 5 coats of shellac on this weekend and the next installment will be the completion photos.

    Best,
    Chris
    "You can observe a lot just by watching."
    --Yogi Berra

  12. #57
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Perth, Australia
    Posts
    9,467
    Chris, that beautiful figure is starting to pop. That is going to be - already is! - a wonderful chest.

    Where do you plan to keep it, and what will go inside the drawers?

    Regards from Perth

    Derek

  13. #58
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    N. Idaho
    Posts
    1,621
    Hi Derek,

    Thanks for the kind words. I too am excited to see the figure starting to pop.

    Originally, I planned to keep it under my bench with tools. However, I have since decided that it will live in the house as a 'gentlemen's chest', which is a fancy way of saying it will be a way for me to keep track of bits and baubles around the house . Since the pandemic, i've been working from home quite a bit more but don't have a dedicated office. Should be a good size for a laptop, the few number of bills that still come in as paper, notebooks, pencils, etc. We haven't settled on the final spot, but are also in the middle of interior updates, so it will likely move around for a while.

    Best,
    Chris
    "You can observe a lot just by watching."
    --Yogi Berra

  14. #59
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    N. Idaho
    Posts
    1,621
    Hi all,

    I was able to complete the chest over the weekend. The final step was to take a few fine shavings off to loosen a couple of the drawers. Here are some gratuitous glamor shots

    IMG_1248.jpg
    This was the original conception as an under-the-bench chest.

    IMG_1237.jpgIMG_1246.jpgIMG_1242.jpg


    The insert to repair the mis-cut miter can be seen on the back corner here:
    IMG_1245.jpg

    The chest will reside, at least of the time being, on one side of the living room (aka, my home office...)

    IMG_1251.jpg

    Thanks for following along.
    "You can observe a lot just by watching."
    --Yogi Berra

  15. #60
    Beautiful work Christopher. Amazing how the simplest of finishes really amplifies the natural beauty of the wood.

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