| Project by Joe_F | posted 495 days ago | 307 views | 0 times favorited | 14 comments |  |
Embed This Project
Joe_F's Projects
Everyone's Projects
Project tags/keywords
 |
 |
 |
 |
I wanted to do something really grand for my wife on our 20th anniversery. I know it would be a woodworking effort, but didn’t know what. A glance around the bedroom proved her need for a really big jewelry chest, but I didn’t want to make just a plain old box! So one day she shows me a picture of a cheapie wardrobe mirror, and she’s all excited about it. Everything clicked, and I knew what the project would be: a combination wardrobe mirror / jewelry case.
Got out the quad paper, ruler, and eraser and started designing. Didn’t reference anything, did the whole thing myself. Figured out my cut list, got my wood (red oak) and began. Wifey was informed that the “shop” (garage) was now off limits, and for once she actually listened! I measured twice (actually more, grin) and began my cutting, planing, rounding of edges, etc. I had it all worked out in my head and on paper and once started this project just came together almost like magic; I was amazed.
The only metal fasteners used in the entire project were three wood screws per arm to insure that the vertical supports were very securely fastened to the base; everything else is assembled with just biscuits and glue. Oh, the door has a piano hinge and the box itself pivots on bolts, but those parts dont count, right?
The front mirror door opens full length and there are miniature drawers and pegs to hold her prized jewelry and show it off in splendor. The one thing that needs to be done is to make up a lock mechanism that keeps the box from trying to rotate on it’s pivot bolts when the door is open; I have the design worked out in my mind but haven’t yet put it into practice. Also not all the drawers are finished yet. But hey – she was very happy and that’s what counts!
The entire project is made of red oak, while the back panel is oak plywood (did use a few brads there). Even the tightening knobs were hand made out of oak and utilize an integral hidden “T” nut and rubber washers. The inlay on the door surrounding the mirror is African Padauk, and the mirror was custom made for the project with a nice beveled edge. Project time was about eight weeks, a couple of hours each evening and at least half of each weekend spent working. I did everything slowly and methodically since I wanted this perfect; I think the project came out nicely. Please let me know what you think!
Your Online Shop - Your Support Is Greatly Appreciated - Your Woodworking Showcase - 3 Ways To Help, Financially - Your Woodworking Community
14 comments so far
DAN
home | projects | blog
3505 posts in 523 days
posted 495 days ago
very nice piece of work ... your perfectionism came thru
-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com
VTWoody
home | projects | blog
95 posts in 597 days
posted 495 days ago
Masterfully done. Can we see a picture of the jewelry box part with the mirror door open?
Buckskin
home | projects | blog
483 posts in 528 days
posted 495 days ago
Great project! I am sure it made a hit!
piper
home | projects | blog
73 posts in 617 days
posted 495 days ago
great job for a firrst project.
-- piper
Lee A. Jesberger
home | projects | blog
2898 posts in 520 days
posted 495 days ago
Your off to a great start! Now your wife will let you buy more tools.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
GaryK
home | projects | blog
8567 posts in 528 days
posted 495 days ago
Very nice.
I think that I will have to put one of those on my “to make” list.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Bob Babcock
home | projects | blog
1807 posts in 626 days
posted 495 days ago
Beautiful job. My wife would love this.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
Joe_F
home | projects | blog
5 posts in 508 days
posted 495 days ago
Thanks for the kudos, guys. She did really like it and still uses it for bragging rights if you know what I mean.
Inside, door open pix will have to wait for a while, I’m afraid. We’re performing major remodeling and that has pretty much screwed the pooch mess-wise. Also I know wifey has the inside of the thing crammed to the gills so it won’t make a good pix right now anyway. The ones I posted were taken almost three years ago just after we had our tile put in. I’ll get some good pix ASAP but it’ll be a while, sorry.
PanamaJack
home | projects | blog
4452 posts in 617 days
posted 495 days ago
Just a great project this one is. Outstanding woodworking art.
-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,
Don
home | projects | blog
2586 posts in 717 days
posted 495 days ago
Man, you’ve built a rod for your own back. A jewelery box this large is going to take at least one life-time to fill. I had to look real close to see where the storage compartment was, thinking at first it must be hidden in the base – but no – it’s the whole thing, like a giant jewelery box standing on its end with a mirrored top. Very different.
Very nicely done, the joinery and finish shows through. Great project, Mate!
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/
Sawhorse
home | projects | blog
273 posts in 980 days
posted 495 days ago
Don’t ‘cha just love the Concept-to-Reality process….very nicely done….
-- Sawhorse - Sulphur Springs, TX - www.sawhorseworkshop.com
oscorner
home | projects | blog
4573 posts in 851 days
posted 493 days ago
Great work, fantastic idea to hide the jewelry in the mirror and I love the wooden knobs.
-- Jesus is Lord!
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
12283 posts in 701 days
posted 493 days ago
how wonderful. You sound like a “kid in a candy store”. I can feel your pride and excitement.
Well done.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
mot
home | projects | blog
4863 posts in 576 days
posted 492 days ago
I think you did a great job with this project! I can see something similar in the corner of our bedroom. Inspiring project!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)