Shopsmith Forums

jerm wrote:Hello everyone! It's been a while since I've posted because I've been busy!

In the meantime, I managed to pick myself up a nice used Jet 6" jointer (finally!) It's the one with the 55" bed or so, pretty nice! That's after losing a sweet buy on a SS 510 with jointer and bandsaw for $550

I just mention that because I wish I'd had a jointer before starting this chest! I'll blame my bad joinery on that instead of lack of patience, mixing up pieces, and generally dullish chisels! Anyway, I just have to cut out the drop-in bottom and do the lid and I'm done, but I figured I'd post what I have now.

P4200272_1024px by J L Smith, on Flickr

So here's an overall shot of the chest. I got the design idea from fine woodworking or somewhere, but then just kinda veered off on my own eventually. So, it kinda-sorta looks like the project, but it's also my own - which explains why the joinery is mis-matched, etc. Amazingly, though, it's pretty darn close to being square.

Frame is red oak, the panels are pieces of wormy maple. For finishing, I had just applied linseed oil to everything, then I went back over the oak with "Provincial" stain from Minwax -- basically doing it like this caused the stain to just barely tint the wood and grain (hey I was experimenting!)

Before I bore you to death, here's the real issue:

P4200275_1024px by J L Smith, on Flickr

What you're looking at is the front-left corner.
Now, ignoring the scribe lines I forgot to sand away, see the issue?

My left and right top boards are only resting on the rest of the chest - I mean, they're glued, but it's long-grain tenon resting on an end-grain groove - not the strongest joint.

The problem is, I need to attach handles, but I'm very hesitant to lift the chest using only those top rails.

So, how would you solve this? I've thought about maybe driving some very small screws through for support, but I want to avoid this if possible.

Another shot of the bottom joinery - not perfect, but secure
P4200273_1024px by J L Smith, on Flickr

I got lucky and had two boards looking very similar to this (the figured portion), so I put one on each side. Luckily the rot / whatever wasn't all the way through.

P4200276_1024px by J L Smith, on Flickr

beeg wrote:To remove pencil lines I've read to use denatured alcohol in a rag and just wipe em off..

swampgator wrote:That's a very interesting point I had forgotten, but I wonder how it will work with the stain and finish that is already applied.

Well that's why I always remove those lines before I do the finishing.

beeg wrote:Well that's why I always remove those lines before I do the finishing.

jerm wrote:Thanks all for the comments.

The lines I mistakenly called pencil lines are actually gauge lines (cuts). I sanded the entire chest, but didn't realize they were there and of course they only showed up once I applied the light coat of stain.

I think for this project, I'm just going to leave them there. I'll apply artistic license and call them "rustic"

Although I have lifted the chest several times using the side rails only with no problems (haven't installed handles yet, though), I'll still take the advice into account on how to reinforce this joint.

Thanks everyone!

paulsgreenbarn wrote:If you do the square plugs over countersunk screws,like I mentioned ,it will match the lower joints perfectly.good luck either way.That's a real nice piece..

jerm wrote:Thanks all for the comments.

The lines I mistakenly called pencil lines are actually gauge lines (cuts). I sanded the entire chest, but didn't realize they were there and of course they only showed up once I applied the light coat of stain.

I think for this project, I'm just going to leave them there. I'll apply artistic license and call them "rustic"

Although I have lifted the chest several times using the side rails only with no problems (haven't installed handles yet, though), I'll still take the advice into account on how to reinforce this joint.

Thanks everyone!