Charles Neil lowboy build-along, # 16
Hey friends, when I left you last time, we were ready to sand the case. I started by putting wedges in the drawers, to keep them in place while sanding. First I sanded the whole front of the lowboy case and drawers to make them all even for the installing of the drawer fronts. After checking the front with a straight edge at many different angles to make sure the drawers ,legs and case were dead flat, I then moved on to both sides and the back. This was a big job and it took tons of sanding and checking to make sure everything was flat, using planes, belt sanders (very carefully) and then my random orbital sander with several grits . Even with all that sanding I only sanded to 80 grit. This took me from 8:30 AM until 8:30 PM. What made it even tougher is that my wife seems to be allergic to mahogany dust, so I had to stay in the shop until I was finished sanding for the day, in fear of bringing in dust to cause her problems.
The next step is to make and install the knee blocks. I first cut out the pattern furnished on Charles’ web site for the “Mastering Woodworking”, in PDF form and then glued it to some hard board and cut out and sand to shape, like the cut-out in the other patterns. 
Now I hold the mahogany up next to the legs and try to get a reasonable match on the grain. I then draw the pattern on the stock
and go to the band saw and saw out the first shape on the stock.
Now, back to the band saw to cut just outside the draw line. Note, I use the off cut as a carriage to hold the piece, to make it easier and safer to cut, plus it holds the wood at the correct orientation.
After cutting, I hold the knee block in place.
If I feel there is too much excess left, I then take the knee block to the disc sander and sand to fit. After I’m satisfied with the fit I then put a liberal amount of glue on the knee block and firmly hold it in place for a few seconds until I feel it is centered properly.





Next time we will be installing the drawer fronts.
I also use my random orbital sander and pattern makers file to get it shaped. Before going onto the next operation it’s good to compare by eye the legs and knee blocks to make sure they look alike. Regardless of measurements, if they look alike, they are alike, quoting Charles.
Remember, the techniques used are from Charles Neil’s subscription online webisode.
Sign up for Charles, “Mastering Woodworking” webisodes
http://mw.charlesneilwoodworking.com/ a new project starts soon so don’t miss out.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/




























24 comments so far
Joe Lyddon
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6377 posts in 2218 days
#1 posted 1016 days ago
You’re getting there!
Little by little… No rushing, etc…
Very good!
Does someone else take the pictures or do you setup a tripod, etc. & set the camera to delay and ‘Click’ the picture?
You’re doing a very good job of documenting your ‘Build’
Thank you for your efforts.
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"
Kindlingmaker
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2646 posts in 1693 days
#2 posted 1016 days ago
Looks great! I am enjoying this build along!
-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings
reggiek
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2238 posts in 1436 days
#3 posted 1016 days ago
I agree with Kindlingmaker, this is most enjoyable. Jim you are doing an excellent job documenting/picturing the process. The pics of the leg sculpting are superb. They turned out great….I have not had the opportunity to use this style myself but certainly will want to give it a go in the future.
-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!
a1Jim
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86977 posts in 1743 days
#4 posted 1016 days ago
Thanks guys, It’s not to late to get involved with Charles next build staring next week its a beautiful blanket chest. You’ll be glad you did.
http://mw.charlesneilwoodworking.com/
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Jordan
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1336 posts in 1291 days
#5 posted 1016 days ago
Wow, that’s a lot of steps…Does the glue just hold it on it’s own without clamping?
-- http://www.jordanstraker.com
Karson
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34368 posts in 2567 days
#6 posted 1016 days ago
Looking greatJim. ice jobon the fitting.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
CharlesNeil
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855 posts in 2037 days
#7 posted 1016 days ago
Looking good Jim, very well done
Lee A. Jesberger
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6486 posts in 2146 days
#8 posted 1016 days ago
Hi Jim;
It’s getting there! There’s a lot of work in those, that’s for sure. And it’s picky detail work. Those of us with a short attention span have a tough time with these. What were we talking about? LOL
Nice work Jim.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
a1Jim
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86977 posts in 1743 days
#9 posted 1016 days ago
Jordon yes you just make sure it’s flat and hold it tight for a while and thin let it dry.
Thanks Karson I try
Charles thanks so much for the opportunity to build this great project and all the details in the mastering woodworking series and through e mails . I never would have tried this project without you invitation an your furnishing of all of the materials.
Yes Lee it does take a fair amount of time although Charles can crank a Lowboy out in a couple days. Of course Charles works super long days.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
SPalm
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4100 posts in 2048 days
#10 posted 1016 days ago
Thanks Jim. That is so cool to watch. I have read books and magazines for years about doing this, but somehow watching you do it, it is so much more personal.
Thanks again for the posts,
Steve
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
a1Jim
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86977 posts in 1743 days
#11 posted 1015 days ago
Hey Steve
Before finding Charles on You Tube I learned all my woodworking from books and god old Norm, but having Charles do it on line makes it so easy because you can go back and replay it as many times as you like plus Charles is a natural teacher plus he’s so innovative in his woodworking approach.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
matt garcia
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1736 posts in 1838 days
#12 posted 1015 days ago
Very nice blend!!!
-- Matt Garcia Wannabe Period Furniture Maker, Houston TX
Bob Kollman
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1779 posts in 1357 days
#13 posted 1015 days ago
Excellent Jim!!!
-- Bob Kenosha Wi.
BillyJ
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622 posts in 1369 days
#14 posted 1015 days ago
Very impressive, Jim. I’m also impressed with the free-handing of the oscillating spindle sander. It’s a great tool, but can ruin a profile quickly. Very talented.
Again, you’re keeping me hanging for the next installment. Can’t wait!
-- I've never seen a tree that I wouldn't like to repurpose into a project. I love the smell of wood in the morning - it smells like victory.
mtkate
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2049 posts in 1491 days
#15 posted 1015 days ago
Really cool. I am also impressed with that free-hand spindle sanding. Especially AFTER it’s glued…
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