| Project by Todd A. Clippinger | posted 1334 days ago | 3943 views | 37 times favorited | 30 comments |  |
 |
A Quick & Simple Project
I wanted to do a quick and simple project for Rita’s birthday in 2007 but I just got around to finishing it here in 2009. This seems to be the norm for personal projects.
Construction & Style Details
The cabinet is made of black walnut and the drawers are made of curly ambrosia maple. The corners of the boxes are mitered. To add strength and contrast I added black walnut keys. You can see the tutorial on how I did this in a previous blog here.
I wanted to keep the style simple and straight forward. The simplicity of the style and the character of the wood were to do the talking. I even kept a beauty mark in the black walnut which will be present on the most viewed side. Keeping the construction simple would also aid in getting it done sooner – HA!
I used through dovetails to assemble the cabinet. I pinned them in the front and back with a contrasting dowel to lock them together. I love this little detail and do it on all of my through dovetails.
It is up to Rita as to what she will keep in it or where we will hang it, but I sized the drawers to house boxes of herbal teas. So that is why I call it a tea cabinet.
I made a french cleat for hanging. Granted I do not need this type of strength to hang this little cabinet, but the french cleat also makes installation a breeze.
The finish is M.L. Campbells MagnaMax which is a precat lacquer. I am not worried about the film finish wearing because it is a light piece and I gave the boxes wiggle room.
The boxes have all of the edges and corners eased. I do not like leaving the corners and edges sharp on drawers like these where they are completely removed and replaced.
No More Shame
Rita loves the project. Since completion, a veil of shame has been lifted and everything seems brighter:)
Peace, Love, & Woodworking
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
| Pin It |
30 comments so far
Loucarb
home | projects | blog
2389 posts in 1617 days
#1 posted 1334 days ago
Todd, That is very nice, great craftsmanship. That ambrosia maple is gorgeous.
Scott Bryan
home | projects | blog
27262 posts in 1994 days
#2 posted 1334 days ago
Todd, this is a gorgeous cabinet that was definately worth the wait. I have no doubt that Rita loves it and it will not take her long to fill it up I am sure. You certainly are an inspiration. Now you have “shamed” me since I have a mantle that was promised several years ago. :)
This is a nice project and I enjoy seeing the wood combination as well.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
Beginningwoodworker
home | projects | blog
13225 posts in 1845 days
#3 posted 1334 days ago
That is very nice, Todd.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Walnut_Weasel
home | projects | blog
360 posts in 1394 days
#4 posted 1334 days ago
This looks great! You say it is simple but it is way above my head! I think that if you would have made it “complex” it would have detracted from that great looking maple!! I am adding this to my favorite list!
-- James - www.walnutweasel.wordpress.com
Napaman
home | projects | blog
5019 posts in 2249 days
#5 posted 1334 days ago
that wood is amazing…nice execution…and the blog is really great everyone—-if you get a chance take a look at todd’s blog on this…
-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007
cabinetmaster
home | projects | blog
10874 posts in 1730 days
#6 posted 1334 days ago
Congrats Todd on completing a honeydo job. How many more you got??
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
87330 posts in 1749 days
#7 posted 1334 days ago
Hey Todd simple but very cool. I like every thing about it ,it’s a pleasure to the eye and mind.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
WRH
home | projects | blog
16 posts in 1340 days
#8 posted 1334 days ago
Tom, It looks awsome. It is amazing what you can do using different color and contrasting woods.
-- Bill // New London NH.
Todd A. Clippinger
home | projects | blog
8654 posts in 2271 days
#9 posted 1334 days ago
My Honey-do list is a long one.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
Dusty56
home | projects | blog
10541 posts in 1860 days
#10 posted 1334 days ago
Todd, this is just my honest opinion / personal tastes kicking in. No more , no less. You know you’re my hero !
I was really admiring the drawer fronts prior to the keys being added.The Ambrosia stains had a wonderful flow to them that the keys seem to have broken up.
It certainly is a wonderful gift that you’ve made and I love the wood species that you’ve chosen and the bonus is that the LOYL is happy : )
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
okwoodshop
home | projects | blog
386 posts in 1347 days
#11 posted 1334 days ago
very nice
Rob Drown
home | projects | blog
639 posts in 2005 days
#12 posted 1334 days ago
Gorgeous grain matching on the drawer fronts. The simplicity makes the wood and craftsmanship stand out. Very very cool!!
-- The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools. Confucius, 经过艰苦的努力的梦想可以成真
Dennis Zongker
home | projects | blog
2177 posts in 1764 days
#13 posted 1334 days ago
Very nice Todd. Looks like you had fun on this one.
-- Dennis Zongker
Kevin Depies
home | projects | blog
78 posts in 1540 days
#14 posted 1334 days ago
That’s a beauty… the ambrosia maple is exquisite. Nice work Todd.
Todd A. Clippinger
home | projects | blog
8654 posts in 2271 days
#15 posted 1334 days ago
Dusty, I tend to agree with you.
I am thinking that I should have made the keys smaller and I almost did. I was thinking of using the dovetail saw but I decided to knock them out faster on the tablesaw.
I appreciate the feedback.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 30 comments
Have your say...