127 days later——a small cabinet is born! I’ve finally finished this cabinet. First I have to show you my flub up. I was installing the hinges on the door and while I did pretty well with three hinges the fourth one beat me! My method of holding the hinges in place while drilling the pilot holes worked OK – but my left hand is not my dominate hand and it was not a pretty thing to watch. Anyway – I guess I slipped a little so my pilot holes were off a bit. But no worries – I fixed them with a piece of dowel and redrilled.
I did not measure and cut the dowel. Instead I poked a longer dowel through a playing card – put on a dab of glue – shoved it in the hole and used a hand saw to cut off the excess. The playing card kept the saw from marring my surface. I end up with just a tad of dowel above the door surface. I tapped the little bit down with a mallet and presto – just like that no holes
Miss Kitty has to help. She liked chasing the end of my dowel.
Next it was on to putting the door/drawer knobs on. A little blue painter’s tape over the spot protected my surface.
And drum roll please—here is my cabinet.
I need to get a neighbor to help me load it so I can deliver it this weekend. There are a number of things wrong with the cabinet. But I learned a lot along the way. One major thing I learned is I’m not very good at designing things. Now this cabinet fits all the specifications I had to deal with – but still I don’t like the proportions. This was the first time I used a gel finish. It came out OK – but not as nice as I would have liked. The end grain really darkened up even though I sealed it. I think I could have done a better job of picking out the wood also. I’m not as patient going through lumber to find the good stuff as I used to be.
My doors did come out better than I expected for my first raised panels. The drawer fits perfectly and slides well. So all in all the cabinet came out OK and I think my friend will like it.
I really appreciate all the help my fellow LJ’s gave me. The advice here is wonderful.
Thanks for looking.
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
12 comments so far
Chris
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300 posts in 256 days
posted 247 days ago
It looks like it came out better than ok, and i’m sure your friend will like it. Nice job!
-- Chris
Scott Bryan
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20784 posts in 720 days
posted 247 days ago
Betsy, this cabinet looks really nice. You did a good job with the construction and finish. Thanks for taking us along with you on this.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Loucarb
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962 posts in 344 days
posted 247 days ago
It looks like you did a lot of things right. I don’t think I’ve ever had a project where everything went perfect. Again nice job and thanks for sharing.
kolwdwrkr
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2255 posts in 489 days
posted 247 days ago
Very nice job
-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~
lew
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4506 posts in 654 days
posted 247 days ago
Betsy,
You have every right to be proud of this cabinet!! Beautiful Work!!
Lew
Betsy
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2386 posts in 794 days
posted 247 days ago
Thanks all. I had fun (most of the time) doing this project. I learned a number of things and hopefully, my blog helped someone else with their projects.
This site is incredible for its support.
Thanks again.
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
lightweightladyleftie
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419 posts in 611 days
posted 246 days ago
Betsy,
That’s a great idea with the dowel and playing card. Now, if I can just remember it when I need it! ;-)
-- "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
Sawdust2
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1188 posts in 986 days
posted 246 days ago
The little bit of trim under the top helped.
I really like the feet.
Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Lee
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
rickf16
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224 posts in 480 days
posted 246 days ago
Betsy, We are our own worst critics! The cabinet looks great. Love the feet. Just my two cents on finishing. Try sanding the end grain only, to 400. That should keep it from darkening up. Thanks for posting.
-- Rick
Todd A. Clippinger
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5654 posts in 998 days
posted 246 days ago
This turned out great.
Are you for hire?
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
cabinetmaster
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8725 posts in 457 days
posted 246 days ago
Good job Betsy. You did very good on this. The next will be even better. Don’t knock it, your friend will love it.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
Betsy
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2386 posts in 794 days
posted 246 days ago
Thanks all.
Lee – I think the trim helped as well. In addition, it hid a little gap I had at the corner of my top and the face frame. I could have fixed the gap – but the trim was sooo much easier.
Rick – I’ll have to keep that in mind for the future. I’m hoping that the other cherry will catch up to the end grain!
Todd – not sure anyone would hire me – took 4 months to do a small cabinet—- probably couldn’t make a living. But the sentiment was nice. Thank you.
All the advice and I support I get on this site is just wonderful. I’ve learned a lot from all of you.
Thanks again.
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.