Apothecary chest

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Custard, I have no idea of the hours, except tha it is more than it took to build the Ark.

Thanks for the ideas for the knobs. That will be for next time, definitely. So well done! =D>

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

When I attached the metal knobs (too large and not right ... ugh!), I was swayed by Lynndy, who said to place the knobs square to the drawer front, since she liked the idea of them fanning from the front of the chest and accentuating the curve. In practice, this was not a good idea. Opening the drawers felt wierd - one is used to a drawer opening in the directing of the pull. These drawers did not do so. The opened at an angle to the pull. It felt wierd. Lynndy thought it charming. She is wierd.

Having turned new Black Walnut knobs to match the drawer fronts, against the advice of some who argued for dark, perhaps Ebony knobs, I know had to decide how I would fit them. As before? No, I did not want that. I wanted to set the square to the drawer recess.

There were two issues here: how to drill them the same as each other.? It would look a mess if some varied out of line. And then there was the fact that the drawer fronts curves and angled, which meant that the knobs would go in at an angle. One side would sit in- and the other side proud of the surface.

I designed a couple of jigs to drill accurately. Fortunately I did not waste time making them ( I have no time in the kitty to get this piece ready for the upcoming West Australian Woodshow. It is days away). The simplest solution occurred to me last night. Use the drill press. Duh!

All that was needed was to ensure the drawer was held vertically, and then use progressively larger bits until the size I needed (3/8"), the tenon of the knob.

That went smoothly.

The holes were then widened slightly on one side with a step drill bit to allow to seat the knobs evenly.

I have begun installing the knobs with wedges. The cabinet and drawer fronts have had a coat of Livos oil, and you can now get an idea of how the knobs blend in (the drawers are proud of the cabinet as the oil is drying)

I completed the base for the chest this afternoon, but I am not thrilled with the design. I'll make a decision tomorrow whether to use it or not.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[AndyT]

Now it's safe to say it... This way is better! I'm glad you made the change.

 

[DTR]

Superb!! =D>

 

[thetyreman]

now I can see the wood handles they are much better, you must have a god like amount of patience to make that many drawers, amazing work.

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

FINAL

Talk about down to the wire. It's 11 p.m. and I've just completed a coat of Howard's wax after the last coat of Livos Universal Wood Oil. The drawers were all finished inside and out with Ubeaut Hard Shellac (dewaxed blond shellac). The inside of the chest (drawer recesses) was given a coat of paste wax. Tomorrow morning I take the chest to the Perth Showground for the annual West Australian Wood Show, where it will take its place among others in the furniture competition. I started this piece 3 months ago.

I could tell you how the base gave me fits. It was a difficult task to design a stand for a curved cabinet. Probably why Krenov never built an apothecary chest! Last night I completed the base, and Lynndy loved it. Compound curves forever. Damn sexy. The base, that is.

But when I placed the chest on it, the combination looked awful ... top heavy ... ugh! I was out of wood, out of time, and it looked like I was out of the competition.

This morning I woke up and had an inspiration. Cut the legs shorter. This evening, after work, I did just that. And I like the finished piece. I think the balance is right. So does Lynndy, which matters. The dimensions are 1000 high (39") x 460mm (18") across.

Here is the chest, and where it will be positioned in the entrance hall ...

A few pics of the base ...

Much time was spent designing and building the drawers, which curve across the fronts ...

Yes, I changed the steel for brass screws (no slotted ones the correct size, however) ...

And made knobs in the same Black Walnut, and fitted coplanar to the drawer recess (that was a headache before finally coming up with the simplest solution, to use the drill press!) ..

I was very pleased with the drawer stops ...

... and you can see the shiplapped back if you peak ...

It has been a long, but exhilarating build. I hope that you got something from it too.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

I've quietly followed your WIP from the start. Impressive work, what an undertaking! Something to aspire to

 

[Harbo]

Beautiful just beautiful!!
You’re sure to win.

Rod

 

[AndyT]

Astoundingly good work.
I've no idea what the other entries will be but this has to win.
Good call on the cut-down stand too.
Thanks for taking us along on the journey!

 

[StraightOffTheArk]

I've really enjoyed following your work, very impressive as ever, while somehow making such high standards seem more achievable rather than out of reach, very inspirational.

Tara a bit,

SOTA

 

[MusicMan]

Very impressive, enjoyable and educational, thanks, Derek.

 

[thetyreman]

I think you'd deserve to win 1st prise in the woodworking show! best of luck with that

 

[MarkDennehy]

Absolutely wonderful work Derek, and a beautiful finished piece.

 

[memzey]

Brilliant stuff Derek, as always. So - did you win first place at the show?

 

[richarddownunder]

Just a question - I seem to have a problem viewing your pictures. I don't have the same problem with other folks' posts so are these pictures posted in a different way that I need to account for?

Cheers
Richard

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Hi Richard

I have not heard from others that they have a problem. Can you see them partially, or not at all?

There is a full set of articles on the build on my website. The Index page is here:

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/index.html

Scroll doen to Apothecary Chest.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Doingupthehouse]

Fantastic job. A really lovely piece. Thanks for taking the time to share the process. Hope the comp goes well. =D>

Cheers
Simon

 

[richarddownunder]

Hi Richard

I have not heard from others that they have a problem. Can you see them partially, or not at all?

There is a full set of articles on the build on my website. The Index page is here:

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/index.html

Scroll doen to Apothecary Chest.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Well, that's odd, I can see them OK on my desktop. Must be some settings on the laptop. Oh well, nice project and a good set of photos.

Cheers
Richard

 

[thomashenry]

Great work in making, and also great working in documenting and sharing with others. Bravo.

 

[OscarG]

Beautiful work Derek, thanks for taking the time to share every stage.

Have to ask, how did you get on in that woodwork competition?