Hello All:
I am currently working on a replica of a Stickley 913 dresser for my wife and trying to decide how I want to do the drawers. Two options I'm considering are 1. to cut through dovetails using my tablesaw and bandsaw (as described by Duginske) and add false fronts or 2. to cut half blind dovetails with a Leigh jig. I really enjoy cutting through dovetails myself. Granted, they're not hand cut in the true sense, but I still feel like I did them myself. But I'm not sure I like the idea using a false drawer front. I have access to a Leigh jig which would allow me to cut half blind dovetails. Of course I would have to learn to use it but the videos make them look reasonably straight forward (although I'm sure I will make plenty of mistakes in my first practice pieces). For some reason I don't really like the idea of using a router jig. I can't really explain why, it just doesn't appeal to me. So for me, each choice is a tradeoff: cut the joint myself but have to add a false front or use a jig but have a solid front. I could glue on the false front so as to closely approximate a solid front. For those of you who will tell me to hand cut them, its just not an option for me. I'm more of a wood machinist than a woodworker.
Do any of you wrestle with these tradeoffs as well? Which method would you advocate for a piece of heirloom furniture?
Thanks in advance,
Jim
PS Those of you who also read SMC please excuse the duplicate posting.
I am currently working on a replica of a Stickley 913 dresser for my wife and trying to decide how I want to do the drawers. Two options I'm considering are 1. to cut through dovetails using my tablesaw and bandsaw (as described by Duginske) and add false fronts or 2. to cut half blind dovetails with a Leigh jig. I really enjoy cutting through dovetails myself. Granted, they're not hand cut in the true sense, but I still feel like I did them myself. But I'm not sure I like the idea using a false drawer front. I have access to a Leigh jig which would allow me to cut half blind dovetails. Of course I would have to learn to use it but the videos make them look reasonably straight forward (although I'm sure I will make plenty of mistakes in my first practice pieces). For some reason I don't really like the idea of using a router jig. I can't really explain why, it just doesn't appeal to me. So for me, each choice is a tradeoff: cut the joint myself but have to add a false front or use a jig but have a solid front. I could glue on the false front so as to closely approximate a solid front. For those of you who will tell me to hand cut them, its just not an option for me. I'm more of a wood machinist than a woodworker.
Do any of you wrestle with these tradeoffs as well? Which method would you advocate for a piece of heirloom furniture?
Thanks in advance,
Jim
PS Those of you who also read SMC please excuse the duplicate posting.