My Projects since Jan. 1st.

[honeywell]

Are the drawers just for cosmetic looks?

[judaspre1982]

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[charlese]

Thanks for your comments, guys! I hope throughout the thread there is enough pix to show the major steps and parts of making a chest like this.

There are a couple of questions to answer:
Yes, the drawers are functional. because of the overall size, the drawers are only 3" tall with 2 1/2" tall inside measurement. So they measure about 16"X16"X 2 1/2". The plans called for even smaller drawers, but I moved the chest bottom up 3/4" to allow a little more space. Wife says she can use these drawers.

Concerning the overall size of the chest - The LOML had decided that 3 feet long, by 20 inches high and about 17 inches deep would be a good size to fit at the foot of our bed. If I were to have a re-do - Yes, I would make it a bit higher and longer. The overall size had nothing to do with the size of my work table. The worktable is actually my fold away router table. If I had needed more table space, it would have been easy to expand my bench to form a 8 ft by 3 ft. workspace. Laying a 24" piece of plywood on the bench extension yields a solid surface on top of the extension. I know the extension will hold 150 lbs.
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Will I build 23 more of these?

... Can I order 23 of them from you??

Sure you can! - -First, we'd have to sign a well thought out contract.
About the time the 10th one is turned out I ought to be able to decrease the ±$300 cost of materials.
Woodworking ain't cheap, you know! It's just fun!

Looked up the receipts for this project:
Oak (3/4") - 37 bd.ft. @ $3.33 = $123.21
Oak (5/4") - 3.5 bd.ft. @ 3.33 = 11.65
poplar (3/4") - 11 bd.ft. @ 2.38 = 26.18
hinges - $61
pulls & escutcheons - 60.50
Total $282.54
Finishing materials - ?

[shipwright]

Very nice work Chuck.

Paul M

[charlese]

Now is time to wind up this thread. After fussing around for a week or so, this project is called DONE!.

I used a Varathane stain named 'Traditional Pecan" I ran across an add (about a year ago) for free samples of 25 colors of wood stain by Varathane. Found these stains in Home Depot. They also have those small packets (about 1 ounce) of sample stains. Don't know if they are free or not, but their use on a board is a lot better than the picture on the can. The stain was super easy to use. Just wiped it on with a clean rag.

Here's several pix of the finished chest.

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[kd6vpe]

Charlese,
Very nice work here. I should have done the edges of my chest top like you did to help keep it together. I just edge clued the top together. It is a tight fit and will probably last my lifetime but not sure how long after. You are a real craftsman and I admire your work. I hope to be as good with wood as you are.

[mickyd]

Excellent looking chest Chuck. Wifey must be VERY happy!! 10 ATTA-BOYS

What would normally go into the compartment? Is it for any miscellaneous stuff or does it have a specific purpose?

[easterngray]

I've enjoyed following this thread and the finished chest is OUTSTANDING. Thanks alot for taking us along while you made it - it is a thing of beauty! Alec

[peterm]

Beautiful chest, finest of workmanship, thanks for sharing the words and pics!

[charlese]

When again noticing honeywell's question, thought maybe a photo was also appropriate - sorry there were no pix of them earlier.

Mike - the compartment, or till, is for 'stuff'. As for the hidden bottom -- I think it should be used for some type of stuff she wants 'hidden'.

Thanks again guys, for your appreciative comments.

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