03-10-2020, 01:07 PM
Previous post – first update:
Was able to complete the woodworking portion of the chest - and let me add that this project generated a LOT of waste/sawdust! I started off with over 83 bf of Mahogany and since you are basically reducing 12/4 material for the case side, drawer fronts and 8/4 material for the drawer sides down to something less than 4/4 material I estimate there is no more than 25 – 30 bf in the final project.
I am pretty happy with the final chest (which given the complexity of the project and the fact this was my first attempt at one of these is like saying I am 99% happy!). So next – final sanding, finish and hardware.
I hope to be able to post final finished piece and stats in a week or so. Also, for those who are interested I've included additional project details and lessons learned as a re-post to this post (below).
There is one hardware issue I am, noodling over. I am planning to use Chippendale Griffin Bail pulls for the drawers. The issue is the size. I was originally going with a 3” pull (which I would say is probably the more standard size for a chest like this) – but because I had to slightly shorten all of the drawer heights (due primarily to the addition of the upper inlay banding) – they seem a bit out of proportion for the top drawer. They still fit OK – but almost cover the entire drawer from top to bottom (the 3” pull looks fine on the remaining 3 lower drawers). They also make a 2-1/2” pull – which works fine on the top drawer, but (IMO) not so good on the larger bottom drawers. I am inclined to go with the larger pull as the best compromise. Thoughts?
(Note to self – buy or at least measure/determine size of hardware BEFORE building furniture!)
Was able to complete the woodworking portion of the chest - and let me add that this project generated a LOT of waste/sawdust! I started off with over 83 bf of Mahogany and since you are basically reducing 12/4 material for the case side, drawer fronts and 8/4 material for the drawer sides down to something less than 4/4 material I estimate there is no more than 25 – 30 bf in the final project.
I am pretty happy with the final chest (which given the complexity of the project and the fact this was my first attempt at one of these is like saying I am 99% happy!). So next – final sanding, finish and hardware.
I hope to be able to post final finished piece and stats in a week or so. Also, for those who are interested I've included additional project details and lessons learned as a re-post to this post (below).
![](/images/resize.png)
![](/images/resize.png)
![](/images/resize.png)
![](/images/resize.png)
There is one hardware issue I am, noodling over. I am planning to use Chippendale Griffin Bail pulls for the drawers. The issue is the size. I was originally going with a 3” pull (which I would say is probably the more standard size for a chest like this) – but because I had to slightly shorten all of the drawer heights (due primarily to the addition of the upper inlay banding) – they seem a bit out of proportion for the top drawer. They still fit OK – but almost cover the entire drawer from top to bottom (the 3” pull looks fine on the remaining 3 lower drawers). They also make a 2-1/2” pull – which works fine on the top drawer, but (IMO) not so good on the larger bottom drawers. I am inclined to go with the larger pull as the best compromise. Thoughts?
![](/images/resize.png)
(Note to self – buy or at least measure/determine size of hardware BEFORE building furniture!)