I followed your link. Complimented his work. :blush:

Cool. It's good stuff. My parents have bought furniture from him for almost 30 years.

How about an update, HM? :worried:

It took a while for my dad to finish planing the sides down. I'll post an update soon.

I know.... good help is soooo hard to get. :lol:

C'mon HM, tell your Dad to get off his butt and entertain us. :lol:

It's not his fault this time. I've got a bunch of pictures I've been too lazy to write up. Soon...

Okay, I finally got on my butt and put up the new pictures.

Here are the sides, after my dad finished tapering them. The outside (tapered) faces are facing in.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/89011296/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/33/89011296_240653b636.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Tapered Sides" /></a>

The feet were cut with the router against an arch pattern, and the detail was done with a drill and some hand tools.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/89011672/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/39/89011672_34c76b4c6c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Foot Detail" /></a>

The dwawers will rest and slide on pine frames, faced with cherry. These were put together rough, and then cut to matching size using the router trolley.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/89012226/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/32/89012226_aab37e7666.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Edging the Drawer Frames" /></a>

And here they are:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/89012649/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/30/89012649_1d29f9ac6a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Drawer Frames" /></a>

The frames and the top will be held in mortises in the sides. We cut these with the router trolley again (boy did that turn out to be useful).

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/89013054/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/34/89013054_c0ddd7705b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Drawer Frame Slots" /></a>

And here they are, cut.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/89013544/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/19/89013544_919b98b1b1.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Sides" /></a>

OK, now I'm pretty much up to date.

Yeah, it's tough to beat a milling machine. :D
Thanks, man. Sorry about nagging.

Tell the truth. Your dad is really Norm Abrams, right?

No problem on the nagging... who know when I would have gotten to it otherwise?

We don't have nearly the number of power tools that Norm's got! We just got something that moves a router in a straight line!

The drawer frames are glued in place, and held with band clamps.

http://static.flickr.com/35/92431176_0507545e65.jpg

There will be two drawers on the top level. The mortise will hold the divider.

http://static.flickr.com/29/92431745_03dad25ed5.jpg

Uh........ wouldn't that be drawer guide or drawer support, frames? :eyebrow:

Yeah. They are the drawer supports.

The top has to have mortised ends, to fit in the groove in the sides. We cut the mortises first.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/95981881/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/23/95981881_fbc11cd8dd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Starting the Top" /></a>

The top has to extend past the front of the groove, so the mortise has to end before the front of the board.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/95982924/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/12/95982924_8540bac994.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Top Ends" /></a>

We used the tablesaw to cut down the router groove, and tested it in the assembled frame. It was a bit tight, so we shaved it down a bit with an edging plane and a chisel.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/95983932/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/32/95983932_0c2bff3611.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Fine Tuning the Fit" /></a>

We fixed up the mortise with a small saw cut and a chisel.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/95984839/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/27/95984839_0c26240dc7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Trimming the Ends" /></a>

Sliding the top into the frame.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/95985977/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/38/95985977_d22f9e74e3.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Sliding in the Top" /></a>

And here it is with the top on.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/95987017/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/34/95987017_1044c1dbc0.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="So Far So Good" /></a>

Beautifull. :thumb:

I ran across this picture on the random blog image generator. It made me smile and wonder. :D

No, not me. I don't have a... whatever that thing on the floor is.

A groove was cut into the bottom of the top, twice as long as the divider. The divider was put into that groove, and slid forward. The center rail was then added.

http://static.flickr.com/24/99058974_cb1f29d307.jpg

The top board, while extremely wide, was not quite wide enough, so a slight extender was glued on. Then the top back was added, to minimize he chances of things falling down behind the chest.

Oh, yeah - and for looks, too.

http://static.flickr.com/27/99059739_c687558cce.jpg

Front shot with top drawer divider and back.

http://static.flickr.com/39/99060864_4c878f7113.jpg

Starting the drawers: The cherry front is attached to poplar sides, with half blind dovetails.

http://static.flickr.com/19/99062054_45b2d75168.jpg

The bottom of the drawer fits in a mortise. The drawer has not yet been cut to length.

http://static.flickr.com/36/99063128_d65081e91d.jpg

I think that's a power planer in the picture.
Whats the reason for the different size dovetails? :confused:

No particular reason. The angle of the shot accentuates the difference, though.

The rail to keep shit from falling off the back is brilliant.

I know exactly how useful that would be.

I'd love to take credit, but we're working roughly off of a design from a reader project sent in to "Fine Woodworker Magazine".

A quick router cut is made around the back of the frame, to allow the back to be put in.

http://static.flickr.com/35/104248677_0d93b3b826.jpg

Spacers are added to the back of each drawer frame, wide enough to match the depth of the router cut from the last step.

http://static.flickr.com/35/104249770_66e26d1b09.jpg

Dovetails
 

Ok, so I'll go into some detail on dovetails. These dovetails will attach the back of the drawer to the sides.

A dovetailing square has a straight side and a tapered side. The straight side is used to mark the endgrain part of the dovetails.

http://static.flickr.com/9/104255439_c1ce8826bc.jpg

This is a very nice scoring tool. I set its length to the thickness of the other board, and marked the depth of the dovetails.

http://static.flickr.com/35/104256211_27e94d2ea2.jpg

Then the tapered side of the dovetail square is used to draw the dovetails, matching the markings on the endgrain and going to the scored line.

http://static.flickr.com/42/104257022_751933b5b2.jpg

Start cutting on the line with a dovetail saw, designed to cut into endgrain. The other board is clamped along with the piece in the vise, for stability.

http://static.flickr.com/40/104257816_94f84a1603.jpg

Once the cut is started, angle down along the diagonal line, to make sure the saw follows the line.

http://static.flickr.com/21/104258598_a70968aa45.jpg

Then finish off the cuts.

http://static.flickr.com/36/104259277_3b403868a2.jpg

The end bits are cut off with a crosscut saw.

http://static.flickr.com/37/104260242_227906fc45.jpg

Dovetails 2
 

The chisel rests easily in the scored line. A few pounds with the mallet cuts that line deeper.

http://static.flickr.com/43/104261167_3ad41e8554.jpg

Pop out a layer of wood with a quick chisel hit.

http://static.flickr.com/41/104261870_58f4ff31f2.jpg

After a couple of cuts on one side, flip it over and start on the other, so any tearout on the last cut is in the middle of the piece instead of on either side.

http://static.flickr.com/40/104262697_c7764450eb.jpg

Sorry for the focus.

The tails on the back piece are traced onto the ends of the sides.

http://static.flickr.com/41/104263225_d0c1e2112a.jpg

The scoring tool is used again, and the square is used to mark down from the traced lines to the scored line.

http://static.flickr.com/40/104263941_960f815f5d.jpg

The dovetail saw comes out again. Then the chisels again.

http://static.flickr.com/38/104264702_e7944bfc87.jpg

The tails are shaved down with a chisel until it fits perfectly. The drawer bottom is then marked and cut off with the tablesaw.

http://static.flickr.com/42/104265460_98766bd416.jpg

And here is the finished drawer.

http://static.flickr.com/41/104266150_51684486d6.jpg

Beautiful, now do it 5 more times. :D

Beautiful work
 

You do beautiful work. I am jealous.

Thanks Harlan.

All but the last drawer is now done.

A decorative arch is glued under the bottom drawer before the final drawer front is fitted, since its attachment could slightly modify the fit.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/120087792/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/56/120087792_983d5bd7f9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bottom Arch" /></a>

That's really beautiful =D

Thanks! All that's left now is the final drawer, the back, and then it has to be oiled and waxed.

What kind of oil are you using?

Have you used shellac much? I've just recently been experimenting with shellac, and am very pleased with the results.

Each additional layer of shellac slightly melts the underlying layer and then bonds to it as the alcohol solvent evaporates. This leaves the final finish as one uniform film, instead of multiple layers of finish like varnish or poly. When you sand it and steel wool it, you get a very pleasing result. It's so much more forgiving than varnish or poly are, and you don't get any visible strata lines if you sand through the most recent coat and into a lower one. It also dries very quickly. It's dry and ready for the next coat in about 45 minutes. The only drawback is that since it dries so fast, you can't work it with the brush much at all. Just apply one brush stroke and then go back over that brush stroke with the grain to even out any runs/drips.

Can you tell I like it?

Watco Danish Oil, and Goddard's Cabinet Maker's Wax. I haven't done anything with shellac (or varnish or poly). My dad experimented with finishes before I started helping him, and settled on the Danish oil. It's pretty much all we use now.

But if I want to make a glossy finish at some point, shellac sounds like the way to go. Though I am curious - if it's alcohol soluble, what would happen if you spilled a drink on it? Does it eventually cure completely?

If you spill booze on it and don't wipe it up right away, you mess up the finish. But, it's very easy to repair. A little wax will add some (small) protection against a booze accident.

And it completely cures in 45 minutes or so.

Shellac is easy to damage but also easy to repair, which is a good trade off and it usually keeps the wood from getting screwed up better than oil/wax.
Nice work, as usual, HM. Notice any difference in dovetail fit from the first to last drawer? :)

I didn't get a chance to do many of them this time around. My dad's doing most of the work on this piece, I'm afraid.

That's cool, better to be Norm than the guy laboring off camera. :D
It's for your sister anyway, isn't it?

Too often, I'm the cameraman, though.

Yeah, it's for my sister. Which will make delivery (to Cambridge, MA) a bit of a trek. But I suspect I'll let my dad do that, too...

Well, we're getting closer. The weather's nicer, so my dad's off to West Virginia most weekends, which has slowed things down a bit.

But he got some hardware in.

http://static.flickr.com/68/169056186_af76b93cf4.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/22/169057477_439418b346.jpg

The carcass and some of the drawers have been oiled. An unoiled drawer is shown for contrast.

http://static.flickr.com/71/169058792_c512f20633.jpg

Beautiful wood, beautiful job, are those generic knobs or something old/reproduction?
I've got white porcelain knobs on my dressers but really should have pulls because I tend to overload the drawers.:redface:

They're reproduction. They're cast, not milled. About $20 each!

Yeah, I noticed the cast threads that's why I asked if they were old. The cast brass coloration is perfect for that color stain. Great job, your sister should be giddy. :thumb2:

HM>Griff:notworthy

Thanks, but I just have to emphasize that this particular one is much more HMD than HM, at least recently.

Gods, the thing is gorgeous! Wonderful work!

Thanks!

very cool!

I always think I could refurb furniture if I had disicpline. I respect the people who actually do. :thumb:

Thanks! I'll try to put up another couple pics tonight. My dad is this close > < to finished. All of the drawers are made, but one more needs to be oiled and knobbed. The back is on (except for the final slat). All that is left after that is waxing.

And here they are:

One drawer still unoiled and unknobbed.

http://static.flickr.com/70/176694767_ca46dfea62.jpg

The back is mostly on. One slat of poplar has been left off for easier access to the inside, until it's done.


http://static.flickr.com/53/176695606_0ff98a1ed2.jpg

A beauty shot of the side, displaying the dovetails.


http://static.flickr.com/66/176696503_9840edbda5.jpg

Gorgeous. Did you ask your sister if she'd arm wrestle you for it?:D

It'll be a bit of an arm wrestle to get it to her place in Cambridge...

And it's done! I'll just put up a few different views, with and without flash. The piece actually looks sort of halfway between the flash and non-flash looks, but I'm not a professional photographer, so you'll have to imagine:

http://static.flickr.com/1/185607203_6c3ad0bfb8.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/73/185608956_abdafeec75.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/58/185610582_833a423553.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/62/185612806_feba0b1e01.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/70/185614889_6f22763e58.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/48/185617107_8533a9bd1b.jpg

Well, I could pick up and keep it at my house until the next time I go to Cambridge.......some time.......eventually....:rolleyes:

Great work! Shall we start the bidding?:)

I like the lip on the back to keep the crap from sliding off the top. I wonder if I'd keep the top clear if my dresser was that pretty? Na wouldn't happen, I need an intervention.

Thanks!

Yeah, all my nice furniture is completely covered with clutter...

I'm amazed by your talent HM, it's wonderful. Can I have it? :)

Sorry, it's spoken for... but thanks! Also, modesty requires that I shift most of the credit over to my dad. I'm afraid I didn't do much more than take the pictures once the first drawer was done.

I got a pile of wood for Christmas!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/...22e3b0d2a6.jpg

I'm hoping to turn it into this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/...8df7ba6756.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/...96f16e1b36.jpg

Awesome! How do the pieces join?

First step was to plane it smooth.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/...5c956b92a9.jpg

The planer makes a bit of a mess.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/...dc593e2df2.jpg