Cherry Dresser Under Construction

I call this dresser the Side by Side Dresser for obvious reasons.  The case is almost done at this point. I only need to put the back and top on.   This last few days were spent putting the face on the case structure. Some of the pictures show the dovetail joints that are used to join the horizontal drawer dividers to the vertical face pieces.  These joints are very time consuming because the length of the piece has to be just right as you are fitting both ends at once.  A single end joint would be comparatively simple.  Note that the end panels are darker. This is because they have one coat of oil. This was done so that they would not be glued in place during the assembly of the outer frame.

I have developed a technique for building the case that makes it very stiff.  Before this, the piece would might rely on the face and back to keep from racking side to side.  This piece was completely rigid even for the face went on and the back will only give it more support.  I sleep well when I know that a piece like this is very strong.

I made this piece for the first time in 1999.  You can see that piece on my website. Here.

Enjoy the end of spring.

Tim

The case stands ready for a top, drawers and a back.  It was built on a level platform to ensure that it is true as can be. My floor is not very true, which is not so much of a problem with 4 legs, but with 6 legs, it must be true or the case may sit and rock on the center legs or stand unsupported in the middle.

The upper joint is ready to go in. The lower joint is finished.

Two chiseled mortices ready for the dovetailed cross pieces.

Fitting the small vertical drawer divider piece.

Cherry Shaker Inspired Wardrobe

A wardrobe is a very traditional piece of furniture from the days when houses did not have closets.  They can be built in countless combinations of hanging space, shelves and drawers.  This customer wanted a lot of drawer space with some sweater storage above and full length doors to cover it all up. On a piece this big, it can be a challenge to match all of the wood. The large drawers (11-12") called for glued up faces but each one is glued up from one board "folded over" on itself so that it matches nicely.  Also, the top drawers are made from the same piece so that the grain continues across both drawers. The panels of each door are continuous grain from bottom to top and the vertical door frames are matching.  (The two where the doors come together are from the same piece and the outers are from the same piece.)  When a cherry piece is done correctly, it will appear that all of the cherry matches nicely.  This is usually a trick of the eye.  It is really a matter of the builder putting pieces together so that the changing tones of the wood make sense to the eye.  The same pieces of cherry arranged in different order can have a very disjointed feel.

The feet of this piece add lightness and elegance.

Knobs with a black milk paint finish add contrast.

Lots and lots of hand cut dovetails. Half blind on the front of the drawers.

Through dovetails are used on the back of the drawers.

Even the bottom is of solid wood.

Have a great beginning of the summer.
Here is a shot from our start of the season. We took advantage of the good weather and made it to the New Hampshire coast this last weekend. My wife and kids below, enjoying the sun.

Time to get the garden started,

Tim

New Pictures of Work Recently Delivered to California

Here are a couple of great pictures taken by the client in California who just received the Trestle Table II with Leaves,  a 6' New Waltham Bench and 6 New Waltham chairs that I had written about a few weeks ago.  I seldom get pictures from clients that show my work in its new home.  I do love to get them though.  The cherry is still pretty pink as the work is brand new.  It will darken up with time.

Below is a comment from the client about the work after it had arrived.


"We want to express again how delighted we are with each of the pieces. The wood you chose and the way you matched the pieces is beautiful. Your craftsmanship and your attention to detail is appreciated by us."


I have to say that I never feel that the project is truly complete until I hear that the work has arrived safely and that the client is happy with my work.


It was a beautiful day here today.  Tomorrow, my four year old is out of preschool and I think we may try and go for a bike ride. (her in the trailer, as I am the one who needs the exercise)  It is supposed to be sunny and in the high 50's.
Enjoy it,
Tim

Cutting Dovetails by Hand

Here are two videos showing part of the dovetail cutting process.  My video camera is starting to lose its sound so I will have to get a new one.  It takes great video though so I am very sorry to lose this one.  many cameras cannot get in close and also make a clear image.
This set of dovetails is for the back of a drawer that goes on the inside of a wardrobe that I am building.

The first shows marking and sawing and the second shows the chiseling part.

Again, visually, I think that these work.  Sorry about the sound. Time for a new camera.

In the past I have done quite a bit of filming of processes.  I am hoping to put together a series of "How To" videos covering some classic furniture making techniques.  All of my old footage is on tape instead of digital. Converting it is one thing. finding it is another, so I will probably just make new films.

Enjoy the warm weather,
Tim

Chairs, bench and table, and teeth.

I got my wisdom teeth out today. Something I probably should have done when I was much younger but it is now done.  The timing was good as I just finished up with a big order of a table, 6 chairs and a 6' bench. They are pictured below and will be picked up tomorrow am by the shipper who will take them to California.  Not only was it a nice size order but they are all pieces that I really enjoy making.  

Below are one each of my New Waltham chairs.  They seem to have taken over as my best selling chairs.

waxing the underside of the bench. You can see that I add extra bracing on the legs. My chairs get just one brace per leg.

The New Waltham Bench, rightside up.

The trestle table waiting without its leaves.

and shown here with its leaves.

Our mailbox.  I was picking up the mail on my way back to the house and had my camera with me... The rusted box sits on a length of  honey locust that I cut from our yard about 6 years ago.  It has been hit by the plow,  batted with a baseball bat a few times and once someone drove right over it. (there were tire tracks on either side of it.)  The box is a replacement (#3 I think) but the post has lasted through all that. Honey Locust. It's just tough wood.  Our postal service has had it tough too. We'll see if it lasts.

Enjoy the brown winter.
Tim

Trestle Table w/ Leaves II

It is always nice when a new design is well received.  Over the years, I have had many orders for my standard Trestle Table.  It is an example of what I generally strive for.  A look that is based in tradition but also somewhat modern looking.  Strong, clean and elegant if I may describe what I think of it.  

Last year, I made my first Trestle Table with leaves which was well received by the client and soon after, a new client ordered the second of this design.  There is a lot going on so it is still not simple the second time through.  That being said,  I was very happy to see that I did not feel the need for any changes this time.  On many pieces, I tweak designs each time I make them.  I feel like I got it right on this one the first time.  The pictures below are taken just as the table was almost finished.  A few details are not completed such as mounting knobs on the ends of the leaf slides. That was a few days ago. Tonight, I just gave it all its first coat of oil.  Pictures of the finished table #1 can be seen here.

fitting the leaf slides

one leaf in place

the concave edge of the leaf is shaped by hand to match up with the end of the table.

Two weeks ago I hiked up a nearby peak. It still looks like this today. No snow in February. I am so glad that we did not buy a ski pass this year.

Chairs and Beds

Pictured below is the milled out stock which will become an eight sided tapered post for one of my Low Post Beds. The first four tapers are cut on the table saw and the next four are shaped by hand.  The top of the post shows marking for the first of four tapers.

Skipping ahead, below are the four posts with the tapers completed. The posts still need to have their mortices cleaned up and to be sanded.

Below is a closer shot showing the lambs tongue transition from the square post to the eight sided taper.

Below, a set of New Waltham chairs have two coats of oil.  They will get another one or two after the holidays.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Tim