With the drawers and their handles completed, the last step was to make and fit some drawer stops.
First, I cleaned up the front edges of the carcase, to remove face edge marks and suchlike.
The wood for the drawer stops needs to be very thin - to get maximum space in the drawers, the clearance underneath the bottoms was only 1/8", and a bit less after fitting. Rather than plane something to size, I turned to my stash of useful recycled wood and pulled out a slat from a wooden Venetian blind.
This is a very clear, tight grained wood which is ideal for the purpose. I cut five strips, marked them, stacked them together and cut them out.
I could have got a mitre saw out, but that would have meant clearing the bench, and for a little job like this, a holdfast on the sawing board and a freehand cut is just fine, and a lot quicker.
To fit the stops at the right depth, I made up another jig from a bit of hardwood floor nosing, cut down along one side.
I could hold this in place, snug each stop up against it, and clamp them in place while the glue dried.
While the glue was setting I could get on with the finishing. I decided on Tru-oil for the whole thing. To do the drawer handles I made a stand with panel pins lined up to sit in the fixing holes.
For the carcase and drawer fronts I just wiped the oil on with a rag, removing any excess and being careful not to get drips on the corners. I oiled just the fronts of the drawers, not the sides, which is what I have observed on antique pieces.
That was all last night. Today, now that everything is dry, I have turned to assembly.
When I decided to simply screw the top on from under the topmost rails, I knew that I would need a small screwdriver to get in the space. A perfect job for a Goodell-Pratt 668!
All screws were waxed, were going into pre-made holes, and were fitted with a screwdriver of the right size. I rubbed a candle along the sides and edges of the drawers, which I am pleased to report all now open and close reasonably smoothly.
And so, here is the result!
This is not where it will be going, but I think it's worth leaving it on view for a few days yet.
So that's the end of the story, which started a mere four months ago, with this lot
Thanks to all who have followed along as I have pondered about how to design and make it. I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience and am really grateful for all the help, suggestions and comments along the way.
I don't know what I will be making next - I suspect there will be a few old tool distractions before I embark on anything big. But I hope to share them all here.
