This is the base unit for the dresser. What you see
here is mainly oak. All external visible parts will
be in Black Walnut with the interior and
non-visible parts made of American White Oak. The
central section of the base will be drawers and the
two outer sections will be cupboards. At least that
is the plan - this thing has been in the workshop
(or a spare bedroom) for the last two years! Now
that Chris has retired, maybe we shall see it
finished?
The trouble is that it is so big! It occupies floor space that is needed when doing any woodwork. Parkinson is alive and well in my workshop
The trouble is that it is so big! It occupies floor space that is needed when doing any woodwork. Parkinson is alive and well in my workshop
Leaning against the wall is the back panel for the
base unit. It is a simple frame and panel
construction with 1/4 inch thick oak panels in a
3/4 inch thick framework.
As can be seen from the different colours of the panels, I have been experimenting with some finishes. Have decided to go with a simple shellac finish padded on.
The panel is made with edge jointed oak 1/4 inch thick and the frame from 3/4 inch oak. I used a simple tongue and groove for "morticing" the stiles into the rails.
As can be seen from the different colours of the panels, I have been experimenting with some finishes. Have decided to go with a simple shellac finish padded on.
The panel is made with edge jointed oak 1/4 inch thick and the frame from 3/4 inch oak. I used a simple tongue and groove for "morticing" the stiles into the rails.
This is one of the doors for the base unit. I used
a router with cope and stick cutter to joint the
frame and glued up three pieces for the panel.
Templates for the routing operation were made from
MDF. It was a bit of a pain to calculate the
dimensions of the templates allowing for the panel
to fit neatly in the frame grooves. I experimented
first with a plywood panel to avoid a mistake on
the walnut. The panel is temporarily "finished"
with some button shellac to ensure the panel did
not stick to the frame during glue up. As it
happens I quite like the colour.
This is a mock-up of the top drawer in the lower cabinet. I want to add a bit of decoration to the otherwise plain drawer fronts. I have used a 3/8 inch profiling bit here to rout a groove about 3/4 inch from the edges. It looks OK and I think I will go with it.
