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This blanket / toy chest was inspired by the wood whisperer guild project with a couple of modifications. I used white ash since I didn't have access to white oak and african blackwood instead of the traditional ebony. I paid only a fraction of the price and I find the result perfectly acceptable. I also decided to use the african blackwood for the handles to accent the piece. I modified the shape of traditional Greene and Greene handles to greatly simplify the construction while keeping the general feel of it. Instead of using only three fingers like the plan called for, I went for five. I was under a time crunch and to simplify the build, I didn't want to use the traditional Greene and Greene bars but only plugs. Going for three fingers would have looked weird without the bars and seven would have made fingers that I found too small. Five was a great balance to my eye.

Finally, I gave this as a Christmas gift to my brother and his wife for their kids' toys. I think they will put it to good use! Feel free to comment / criticize. I still consider myself a beginner.

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I really like this design and your adaptation. I too find it quite pleasing to the eye and this design would make a great tool box. Well done!
 

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I like it! That will be a fantastic toy chest. From what I can see in the pics the execution looks great. Did you lower the bottom per the new design to gain more room inside? I've seen very little ash sold locally on craigslist (get all my lumber that way), so I've yet to work with it.

I recently finished the same project with Marc. I used walnut because it's what I had in stock.
 

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Welcome to LJ. Nice project.
 

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Very nice chest, with construction like that you are no longer a beginner, The only thing I wonder about (it my just be the lighting) the bottom board looks darker than the rest, and kind of draws the eye to it. That said I think this was a well built gift I bet thay were happy.
 

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Thanks for the comments.

I did lower the bottom as per the alternative design. It eliminated the requirement for a dado at the bottom (one less step is a big deal when you're in a time crunch!) but I had to be a little more careful drilling in the case sides since I didn't have any cleats to drill into. It also had the great advantage of being bigger.

It was the first time I worked with ash and it seems like a good wood to work with if you like the grain. Not too hard, not too soft.

The bottom board was indeed darker than the rest. I didn't notice at the lumber yard and didn't have time to get more. The grain was the same as the lighter boards so I think it might simply be another type of ash (not white). Although not ideal, I didn't mind the look.
 

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Very nicely done and a great Christmas present.
 
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