
During the building of this second piece, things were not so dramatic. Just driving kids to and from school, daycare, soccer and music lessons.

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Lots of hand cut dovetails on this piece. |
Even having made many case pieces over the years, I am always trying to make things the best that I can. Before finishing the inside of the piece and the drawers, I consulted my peers in the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers via email. I asked what others felt was the best way to treat the drawers so that they slide their best. There were many responses, mostly including, paraffin, raw or shellac interiors. I finally decided on a single wash coat of shellac on the inside of the drawer to make it easier to clean. I did the same to the outside of the drawer to give it a dry slippery feeling and then rubbed on paraffin from a block onto all bearing surfaces on the drawer and inside the case which remains unfinished. The shellac has a bit of a sweet fresh smell and the paraffin has no smell. I am very happy with the results. I recommend that everyone have a block of paraffin around the house as it will make any wood on wood drawer slide easier without the smell of solvents that you get with most paste waxes.
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drawers with poplar sides and back, pine bottoms |
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drawers are made from one piece of wood across the face of the chest |
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face frames are dovetailed |
Enjoy the cooler weather. Water the garden. Go sailing.
My 5 year old is learning to steer our daysailer and our 11 year old is off living in a Tee Pee for three weeks. Yesterday from the breakfast table we watched a young bunny in the yard running in circles in the fresh dirt around a newly planted rhubarb plant. It would circle 3 or 4 times, stop and then do it again. Very entertaining. And no, he did not appear to eating the leaves.
The trim on the house will have to wait. Enjoy the summer.
Tim