Chest of Drawers: Episode 12
Posted 26 April 2017
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We’re ready for the final stages of the main body of the cabinet. Paul fits the back panel into the rebate that has been formed. Then the upstand can then be fixed in place and the carcass cleaned up. Then we’re ready to pick the wood for the drawers and fit the fronts to the opening.
Thanks for the masterclass! Nice demonstration of how should the cabinet be lifted using leg power.
It’s just a pleasure watching you, master Paul.
I have three number 4 planes on my bench—one is a scrub and the two are fine to finer sets. I also have a No. 5 which I rarely use.
I noticed that during the fitting of the drawer fronts you used the No. 5 for the most part.
Was this because it was the sharpest plane for the moment or does it give a better leverage and control?
Thanks
Hi Jake,
Paul first uses the longer plane at 28:24 on the long edge of the drawer front. Longer planes can be helpful when planing longer surfaces, particularly edges, but you can equally use a number 4. After that, it is largely personal preference, but it was finely set and the closest to hand.
Hi Paul, lovely work, as usual. A question re: fitting the drawer fronts. I noticed that you did all the end fitting free-hand and “by eye”. I’m curious as to why you wouldn’t use a shooting board for this. Pretty straightforward to shim the stock with a bank note or a business card and achieve the result more quickly and safely.
Hello Michael,
You certainly could bring in a shooting board. They don’t necessarily give a 100% guaranteed finish, but might well be useful to people.
“A bit like wrestling a bull if you live in Texas”, I just have to highlight an entertaining quip like this, there are many … another: “this is the boring part”, lol, Thanks, Paul
Paul, the dresser project is terrifically presented in the videos, so despite my inexperience at making furniture I made it to gluing the carcass and am somewhat astonished the pieces all fit together. So satisfying. Thanks.
On to the drawers. I ask this question out of ignorance, but when choosing wood for the drawer fronts is consideration given to the saw cut in regards to future movement of wood affecting the tight drawer face fit; ie is quarter sawn preferable, or even necessary, over riftsawn or other?
Thanks
Tom