| Project by teenagewoodworker | posted 120 days ago | 422 views | 0 times favorited | 16 comments | ![]() |
Here is my version of the southern style sugar chest. I built this after watching Charles Neil’s Sugar Chest DVD’s and they were really helpful and like all of Charles’ other videos go into great detail explaining every part of the process and when you go to do it you have an idea of how to do every aspect of the chest. my chest was a miniature because i didn’t have the time or money to get out a full sized one as this is a present for my history teacher and school is almost over.
the box on top its just a regular box. dovetailed on my new Leigh dovetail jig, and the hinges are just regular mortised for.


then there is the bottom. this was all constructed with mortise and tenons which was hard because i had to use a drill press and it wasn’t the best one so the quill kept deflecting giving me slightly different mortises after i cleaned them up. just a little tweaking though with sandpaper and a chisel did the trick and they all fit nice and tight. i forgot to take a picture of just the bottom but you can see it alright in this picture of the whole thing

then i have both a drawer which was also dovetailed for and a workstation with a breadboard end. these were really fun to make and i have the runners which are all attached with tongue and grooves. the material for the drawer bottom is hardboard because since the drawer is so small the hardboard was easier to do and thats what i had on hand.


then the legs have a simple taper down to a 3/8” foot

this is pine so for the finish i did 2 coats of Zar walnut stain followed by a coat of dewaxed shellac to seal it in, and last a few coats of arm-r-seal. so this is my first sugar chest and it was a great project to do and i have the feeling that i will do this one again and again.
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16 comments so far
WayneC
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5685 posts in 587 days
posted 120 days ago
Very nice. Your teacher should really enjoy it.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Greg Wurst
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414 posts in 322 days
posted 120 days ago
Looks nice! I wish I had the time to do more in the shop. When I was young and single I didn’t have the tools or resources.
Bill Akins
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109 posts in 188 days
posted 120 days ago
Great job. I have to get a dovetail jig thats all there is to it.
-- Bill from Lithia Springs, GA I love the smell of sawdust in the morning.
CharlieM1958
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4211 posts in 708 days
posted 120 days ago
Really nice job!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
dlcarver
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228 posts in 220 days
posted 120 days ago
Nice job Dennis.
Dave
-- Dave Leitem,Butler,Pa.,http://dlcarver.etsy.com
ryno101
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146 posts in 154 days
posted 120 days ago
When I see the work you’re doing at your age, it makes me wish I had gotten into this earlier!
Very nicely done… Kudos to you, I’m sure your teacher will be very happy with this gift.
I’m with Greg… wish I had more time in the shop!
-- Ryno
jockmike2
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4151 posts in 736 days
posted 120 days ago
Wonderful work TAWW, you do amazing work, you keep it up and you’ll be the next Maloof.
-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com
GaryK
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8489 posts in 478 days
posted 120 days ago
Very nice job! Got to use your Leigh jig, huh?
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
lew
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1282 posts in 245 days
posted 120 days ago
Dennis,
Beautiful job!
I don’t know how you find the time to build so many projects and do the documentation necessary to post each one. Are you one of those lucky people that do not require sleep?? :>)
Lew
teenagewoodworker
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2039 posts in 258 days
posted 120 days ago
ya gary i got to use the jig and its awesome! works great
i’m not sure lew. i just might be one of those people who doesn’t need sleep. (or i just do my homework in school and have nothing to do after school, while my friends do their homework) i’m not sure though!
Bob #2
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1956 posts in 511 days
posted 120 days ago
Great job.
I can see your skill set growing on each project.
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
Woodhacker
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508 posts in 213 days
posted 120 days ago
Very nice job. It looks great, I’m sure your teacher will appreciate it greatly.
-- Martin, Kansas
trifern
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4105 posts in 257 days
posted 120 days ago
Nice project and tutorial. Thank you for sharing.
-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.
Kipster
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1069 posts in 242 days
posted 119 days ago
Great job Dennis. Maybe not Maloof but maybe Krenov. So work hard and never look up.
-- Kip Northern Illinois ( If you don't know where your goin any road will take you there) George Harrison
acanthuscarver
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106 posts in 202 days
posted 119 days ago
Denis,
Excellent job! If it had not been sitting on top of a FWW magazine, I would have thought it was a full sized sugar chest. Great job on proportions. Keep up the good work!
-- Chuck Bender, period furniture maker, www.acanthus.com
Beginningwoodworker
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486 posts in 162 days
posted 119 days ago
Denis thats a nice job, I know your teacher will enjoy it.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker