Hope Chest #1: Design in progress...

Well, I’ve signed up for a woodworking class ‘til the end of the year and have decided to make a hope chest (and a couple of other little things).

Tool Dad was kind enough to send plans for the Cedar Hope Chest he’s built and I have turned them into a Sketchup (first one I’ve tried). I think it’s looking pretty good so far, but any input would be appreciated – I’m fairly new to woodworking and would like to do the best job I can on this project.

Here’s the assembled Hope Chest:

And an exploded view:

I may have gone overboard with the detail – not sure how much detail people typically put into their sketchups, but I think I’d rather design twice and build once :). Here’s an example of the Rail corner for the right side panel

Anyway, I was planning on using Cedar for the whole chest and finishing the outside with Polyurethane, but any advice would be welcome.

Thanks for looking!

-- If at first you don't succeed... then skydiving's not for you...