Sassafras quilt chest

Beautiful

-- Mark

I appreciate the massive look the “planking” provides. Also the support system for the top is impressive. But most of all I really like the color of the stain and the overall finish. Well done. How did you apply the finish and what was the color of the stain?

-- DonB

Thank you very much sir. This was a few years ago, but I believe the stain was a mixture of minwax red mahogany and dark walnut. I think I brushed polurethane on this chest. Thanks again for your compliments.

-- Chad Smith, SULPHUR CREEK CUSTOMS-Kettle, KY

Sassafras is a nice forgotten wood. It is light, very easy to work with wood. Looks like oak, but it is not as durable. I used it a lot to make mantles for fireplaces. Places where it would not get to much abuse. I had a lot of it in my woods so I used to lumber it out and have someone with a woodmizer come and cut it into boards along with cherry and walnut.

Yes, that is a great use for the wood. Does it hold the smell ceder. How cool if every time you open up the tjhing it smells nice.

Great looking chest, Chad. Good job! I for one though do not believe in the old adage … the customer is always right … I would have left the sassafras au naturel. Perhaps that’s why I don’t do this for a living … LOL! But again … great job!

Sassafras is a nice forgotten wood … How cool if every time you open up the thing it smells nice.

- dannmarks

dannmarks – Yes, that would be nice. The sassafras I used on my hand crank drill press still gives off an aroma when cranked!

-- Ron in Lilburn, Georgia.  Knowing how to use a tool is more important than the tool in and of itself.

The customer is always right when they are paying customers and it is their home it will live in. Otherwise, I agree with you on that.

-- Chad Smith, SULPHUR CREEK CUSTOMS-Kettle, KY

This was the 2nd chest I ever built. I bet it has 150 screws and half gallon glue in it! It could skydive without a chute and still hold quilts afterwards!! I remember being afraid it wouldn’t last and everyone would know I build that junk. I believe it’s the very first piece I made to order. I built two chests out of that stack of lumber that had been laying in the guys barn for 8-10 years he said. He has cut and sawed it himself with the intent of having each of his daughters a chest built.the smaller lighter sassafras chest unposted was second one.

-- Chad Smith, SULPHUR CREEK CUSTOMS-Kettle, KY

Wow! Beautiful finish. I didn’t know that sassafras had that beautiful grain!

-- "--Build Beauty to leave to those who appreciated it , not to ungrateful kids..."