I was able to assemble my panels and start on the interior framework this weekend.
Everything went smoothly for the most part. I did have a slight scare with my table mounted router. I had routed a 3/4” x 3/4” stopped rabbet on the legs of the dresser to accompany the interior framework. I used a 3/4 inch straight cutting bit and cut the rabbet progressively deeper over a series of 4 or 5 cuts.
So far so good.
Yesterday, I realized that the rabbet was not quite long enough. So, instead of going through the progressive cuts, I decided to make the full cut in one pass. I only needed to rout about an inch. I was making a climb cut and using push blocks. The router grabbed the leg and threw it. Thank God for the push blocks.
Next time I will make the progressive cuts!
I decided to use red oak for the non visible parts of the dresser. I had purchased some white pine for the interior framework but decided against it due to durability issues. The red oak may be overkill but my son is 6 and will probably be pretty rough with this dresser.
I attached a couple of pictures of the panels. One pic is the exterior side and one is the interior side.
Please ignore the dried glue on the interior side of the panels. Rather than sand it, I left it it since it will not be visible.
Have a good week,
Ben
8 comments so far
a1Jim
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16978 posts in 474 days
posted 25 days ago
Good progress glad you didn’t get hurt by the router.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
CaptainSkully
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495 posts in 455 days
posted 25 days ago
Hey Ben, love the blog. I think we all would benefit from pics here instead of via a link. All you have to do, since you’ve already posted the pics on flickr, is to use the “Insert Image” link above (making sure to allow scripted windows if needed). In a different browser window from the one you’re composing your LJ blog in, browse to the flickr photo, right-click it, select Properties, and highlight the entire Address (URL) line. It usually has a .jpg at the end. Do another right-click and select “Copy”. Move over the LJ blog and do the “Insert Image” and when the “http://” thing comes up, right-click again and select “Paste”. The address from your flickr photo should appear. Don’t worry about anything else, just “OK” your way through. This should let you do this:
-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails
Scott Bryan
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20733 posts in 719 days
posted 24 days ago
Ben, these panels look pretty good. This is one of my favorite styles of furniture. They have nice clean, straight-forward lines to them that focuses on the wood itself.
You had a close call on the router- both with respect to your personal safety and potential loss of the dresser leg.
I am glad it worked out well.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
matt garcia
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725 posts in 569 days
posted 24 days ago
Nice, very nice!!!
-- Matt, Houston Texas
scottymann
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8 posts in 182 days
posted 24 days ago
I really like the quatersawn sycamore. I’ve made table with it and it’s great. We have a small urban log supplier that carries QSS and he always has huge boards for real cheap.
Ben
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49 posts in 261 days
posted 24 days ago
CaptainSkully, thanks a million. I never would have been able to figure that out without your help!
Scottyman, I bought more wood than I needed so I am already thinking about my next project. It’s pretty easy to work with. I would love to see a picture of your table.
Scott, Matt and Jim,thanks for the encouragement.
bigike
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215 posts in 185 days
posted 24 days ago
nice grain i have a trinket box made of wood that looks like this i got it from a pallet at my job but i have to finnish it but ran out of wood so i think i might get some sycamore and finnish it or if u can suggest a wood to go with it so i can get some in put plus cuz u been working with the almost the same wood i have yours just cost more. icombadaniels@yahoo.com
-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop,www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com
Ben
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49 posts in 261 days
posted 24 days ago
Ike,
Curly maple or quilted maple has a really nice figure to it. I’m guessing that figured maple costs considerably more than quarter-sawn sycamore but it may be easier to find. The maple also probably looks better.