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Well this has been fun. I had not used my jointer, planer, or bandsaw for over 15 years. It was great to be back in the shop building something that was neither a home improvement nor another machine. I had never done any resawing before, and really came to like it.

I wanted to build the largest piece of furniture that I could design out of a 2×4. I chose a cabinet on legs to make it look bigger. I tried to include several design elements to enhance this thought; use frame and panel to maximize wood usage, hold the legs away from the cabinet, splay out the legs at the top, use a wider piece for the horizontal rails to add heft, and sweep these rails up. I used dovetails for flair and strength. It is finished with an oil/poly blend.

The entire piece is 43" tall. The cabinet is about 10" wide, because that is the width of three 2×4s. I made it about 16" high to keep to the golden ratio (1:1.6). The depth is around 7", or two 2×4s. I made the legs from what was left over. They about 30". The square stiles are 5/8" thick, which is the max I could obtain after removing the bandsaw marks. These pieces became quite delicate with dovetails at each end and dados on two sides to hold the panels.

Steve

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Very impressive, creative piece. Guess the skill and talent doesn't go away after a 15 year lay off, eh?
 

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Nice piece
This contest is really bringing out some awesome designs.
 

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You certainly succeeded on going as big as possible. Nice design, way to stretch out that stud!
 

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That's great, Steve!
 

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Like I have said before I will never look at a 2×4 in the same vein ever again. It is simply amazing what is lying beneath the surface of common construction lumber. I love the elegance and design of your piece. Holding the legs out from the cabinet and using dovetails was highly imaginative.

But leaving the tools sitting idle for 15 years? I am surprised that the tools even worked anymore. We need to find a way to get you some more shop time. Hopefully this project has rekindled the woodworking fire.

Thanks for sharing.
 

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Great job . . . another wonderful entry!
 

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And to think that was a 2X4. I will be very interested in seeing who wins. From what I have seen made from a 2X4 in the last few weeks, I think your all winners! Awesome job.
Nice dovetail work, and the knots in the wood add just the right look.
 

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Nice work - imagine this from a 2X4
 

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Steve,

I was watching your blog and wondering how the project would look like when done. I really like the design you came up with (a little Chinese influence for the shape of the legs, if I'm not mistaken).

Alin
 

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I looked at a 2×4 today,,,,funny I didn't see that in there. Nice work, perfect design!
 

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Thanks everyone for the kind words. I have been building some things over the last years, but just not anything that required jointing or planing. I like this a lot, and I just became an empty nester, so I hope to continue it.

Alan, I like to think some Oriental influence too. Thanks for noticing. I recently have fallen in love with Thos Moser's American Bungalow collection and hope to replicate a piece or two in the near future. Arts and Crafts with an Oriental influence.
 

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Not bad for a rusty old woodworker. <g>

Fantastic job, Steve. I just don't think HD sells those kind of 2×4's down here in my neck of the woods.
 

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Charlie, That's why I bought it at Lowes :)
 

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Nice work steve…the dovetails look great and I love the design.
 

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Damn fine piece of work, Steve. Very shapely and oriental. Way more than any 2×4 would deserve, even a Lowe's board. My hat is off to you.
 

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I'm going to Lowes first thing in the morning to get me a couple of those Furniture 2×4s. Who would have known that they held such beauty.
 

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Steve: A great job. Nice Krenov chest. A real beauty. Congratulations on finishing.
 

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Beautiful design! A lot of thought must have gone in to planning it out to fit the 2×4. Well done.
 
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