I am making a dresser, the front of the drawers are approximately 9 wide and 33" long. should I use one solid board or should I glue together2 boards each 4 1/2 " wide?
Thanks
Dennis
I am making a dresser, the front of the drawers are approximately 9 wide and 33" long. should I use one solid board or should I glue together2 boards each 4 1/2 " wide?
Thanks
Dennis
Dennis,
For my tastes, one board (I hate the look of glued-up drawer fronts unless the grain is so straight that you really, really can't tell), and I'll go even further: Ideally, IMO, all the boards for the drawer fronts in a dresser should come from the same tree if at all possible. Remember, I said ideally; in any case, the boards should be matched as carefully as possible for the most harmonious look.
Tables and chests of drawers, in particular, are horizontal and vertical methods to showcase beautiful wood, so careful selection of your material makes all the difference.
Last edited by Frank Drew; 08-14-2010 at 12:31 PM.
There's nothing wrong with glued-up drawer fronts if the grain is pleasing. I have found some very pleasing patterns in glued-up panels. Putting the grain-puzzle together is a part of the craftsmanship in a piece; plus alternate boards can be flipped to minimize cupping. Often wide boards must be ripped and reglued anyway, after jointing on a small machine. With nice hardwood usually at a premium, narrow, glued-up stock makes sense.
But for the elite, or for a heirloom-quality piece you wish to pride yourself in, there is certainly nothing wrong with using wide boards, when available. Make sure wide stock has a low mosture content to head off heartbreak later.
[/SIGPIC]Necessisity is the Mother of Invention, But If it Ain't Broke don't Fix It !!
I was taught to always us odd numbers in glue-ups, in order to avoid seams in the middle of panels.
Unquestionably one board if it were me building...
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Do what looks best and with what you have. Ideally, one board...but if not...spend some time matching.
I would use only one board. There should be no trouble with cupping with a nine inch width, providibng the wood is reasonably cured. If you do go with two boards carefully joint them, put them side by side as the final glueup is to be made and wet the surfaces to see that you don't have any unpleasant surprises in finishing.
And now for something completely different....
Resaw twice.Originally Posted by Eiji
Darnell
I have been lucky a couple times and found wide boards for a few projects. My favorite is a dresser I built for 16" and 17" cherry.
Check out the top 3 drawers, as well as the bottom drawer and the skirt. there are no glue up's in the piece.
Well done, Andrew!
Nothing says handmade by someone who cares like continious grain.
Darnell