Retirement Chest

Another great piece, Chief!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Senior, that is another beauty. I love the look of burl verneer

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

Man you guys in the Navy sure give better retirement presents than the Air Force. When I retired I didn’t get anything near as nice as this chest. Good work and tell your friend thanks for his service to our country.

-- Garyb6, Hampton, VA

Beautiful Chest. Your friend will really appreciate it.

-- http://rusty@midohio.twcbc.com

You are really out doing yourself on this one SeniorChief. I can’t wait to see the finished project.

Thank you for sharing.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

Love the contrast and the burl. Nicely done!

That is one absolutely awesome piece of woodworking. I can tell you have a lot of time in that. That is one lucky friend you have. If you need any more friends, just let me know. I am still at least 20 years from retirement, so you have plenty of time…..

Keep up the great work!

-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA

Billy, that is beautiful. I love the combination of woods…and the burl veneer…man! I’m sure your friend will be stunned with appreciation.

Thanks for posting it.

-- Martin, Kansas

Great looking chest! I’m sure he will appreciate it.

-- - Ray

Nice looking chest, I realy like that mappa burl. Nice job

-- Glenn, New Mexico

SweeeeeeeT This Chest is Beautiful, I really like the mix. Very Good Build

-- Mike, Bruce Mississippi = Jack of many trades master of none

fantastic craftsmanship and the wood speaks for itself : )

-- Dusty56@comcast.net

Great job!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- Look great, get your TTK merchandise now! http://www.printfection.com/thetimberkid/ Check out my site http://thetimberkid.blogspot.com/

It looks like a lot of work went into that chest, well done.

I have been meaning to research (and ask) how you made the top for the chest. How do you attach the sides and still leave the wood the ability to expand. I am not sure I worded that question right. Let me try it again. You have the long boards (top) and on the two short ends you cover the cross cuts with another board (wonderful look btw). How is that done so the the top has room to move? I probably should post this in the forum.

-- "so much to learn and so little time"..

Snowdog,

The breadboard ends are attached to the long boards with a stopped mortise and a 3/4 tenon. The stopped mortise I cut on the router table ( 1/2 down spiral bit) and cut the tenon’s with my plunge router use a guide and up spiral bit. The tenons were cut at both ends approximately 3/8 inch on both side’s to allow expansion within the mortise. As the tenons were cut to a tight fit I tapered the tips of the tenon with a cabinet file to ease installation. I only glued and pinned the very center board of the top on both sides. Also, the top is comprised on a series of 4 boards vise two wide boards to lessen the overal side to sid growth. With the right conditions (Ash is a burly grain) will only grow slightly but will more than often tend to twist, this is what drove me to use a breadboard end. For the rest of the case I used glue only were needed and the center stile tenons are cut shorter than the dado depth and pinned only. The panels are plywood substrate and also cut short of the full depth of the dado. The 4 side stiles are cut smaller in width than most of the rails, mitered, and biscuit jointed; I anticipate little growth. The bottom rail is 4 inches wide for strength. I hope this helps.

-- When you are at a point in life and you think there is nothing more to learn, then you must understand that you have learned nothing at all. Billy

Beautiful work, Chief!

Lew

Their alot of pride in your workmenship and I’ll bet your friend will appreciate the kind jester… well done…Blkcherry

Senior… As a former sailor and the son of a 30yr man I’m sure he will appreciate this piece. Outstanding Sir!

-- Chris

Well done Senior Chief!

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

Great looking chest!

-- It's better to have people think you're stupid rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt.