Secret Mechanisms...a query

[woodbloke]

If you've read the current edition of F&C, there's an article in it by Mike Huntley on secret mechanisms in furniture. It's a bit of a long shot, but I wonder if anyone could point me in the direction of sites on t'interweb giving more information? - Rob

 

[houtslager]

google or wikipedia

 

[bugbear]

If you've read the current edition of F&C, there's an article in it by Mike Huntley on secret mechanisms in furniture. It's a bit of a long shot, but I wonder if anyone could point me in the direction of sites on t'interweb giving more information? - Rob

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

BugBear

 

[bosshogg]

woodbloke...I see you're still on the hunt for those elusive secrets...but Shss! that's why there secret :lol:
But I did find this explanation on t'internet http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/its_a_secret_drawers

Lot's of luck on your ongoing quest...bosshogg

The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Albert Einstein (hammer)

 

[AndyT]

There's the famous Murray Cabinet, by John Channon, on display in Temple Newsam House, Leeds.

Here it is closed:

and here's a detail of some of its 17 secret compartments.

Rob - if you feel like copying this, I'd love to see the wip pics!

[Incidentally, I'd not heard of this until I read "The Grenadillo Box" by Janet Gleeson - a murder mystery set in Thomas Chippendale's workshop, in which such a cabinet plays a central part. It's a bit light on constructional instructions (no diagrams in the text!) but some people on here might appreciate the period details, and a clever plot.]

 

[AndyT]

You might also like these

http://books.google.com/books?id=7f...g=PA48#v=onepage&q=secret compartment&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=8r...g=PA44#v=onepage&q=secret compartment&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=Ld...=PA622#v=onepage&q=secret compartment&f=false

 

[woodbloke]

There's the famous Murray Cabinet, by John Channon, on display in Temple Newsam House, Leeds.

Here it is closed:

and here's a detail of some of its 17 secret compartments.

Rob - if you feel like copying this, I'd love to see the wip pics!

[Incidentally, I'd not heard of this until I read "The Grenadillo Box" by Janet Gleeson - a murder mystery set in Thomas Chippendale's workshop, in which such a cabinet plays a central part. It's a bit light on constructional instructions (no diagrams in the text!) but some people on here might appreciate the period details, and a clever plot.]

This piece featured in Mike's article quite a lot, but what I want to find out is how some of these mechanisms work. The description in BH's linkie is useful but difficult to visualise without pics - Rob

 

[AndyT]

Sorry Rob - I've not seen the F&C article.

I hope the first of the Google Books links works - it should lead to an article from American Woodworker from Apr 1996 with some pretty good constructional details.

[I'm never quite sure about GB links - I get the impression that some of the 'preview view' items let you see pages one day then hide them another day. But this one is 'full view' so should be visible / printable. ]

 

[woodbloke]

Sorry Rob - I've not seen the F&C article.

I hope the first of the Google Books links works - it should lead to an article from American Woodworker from Apr 1996 with some pretty good constructional details.

[I'm never quite sure about GB links - I get the impression that some of the 'preview view' items let you see pages one day then hide them another day. But this one is 'full view' so should be visible / printable. ]

Andy, the linkies seem to work, many thanks....some good stuff in there - Rob

 

[Harbo]

I must pay Temple Newsam House a visit soon - I used to go to school near there.
I've been inside the house and walked grounds a number of times but don't think it held much furniture in those days?

There always seems to be a lot of secret drawers turning up on the Antique Road Show - a lot of them tucked behind shortened drawers?

Rod

 

[jimi43]

This is the thread I was looking for....just what I was going to research...I am watching with interest and thanks for the links so far.

I want to put at least one secret mechanism in my tool chest design...once I sort the drawers out!

Jim

 

[woodbloke]

This is the thread I was looking for....just what I was going to research...I am watching with interest and thanks for the links so far.

I want to put at least one secret mechanism in my tool chest design...once I sort the drawers out!

Jim

I've got this thread bookmarked Jim. Googlisationing for 'Quaker Locks' brings up quite a lot of useful stuff, which is a good starting point - Rob

 

[Benchwayze]

I did it the simple way Rob.
The pen-tray sits over the drawers and a sliding divider drops down in front of the drawers:

It baffled my daughter for five days!

HTH

John

 

[JonnyD]

What i want to know is what do you need to keep hidden from the missus

cheers

Jon

 

[Benchwayze]

What i want to know is what do you need to keep hidden from the missus

cheers

Jon

My Credit Card!

 

[bosshogg]

During my apprenticeship when the summer holidays came, I learned from my journeymen, that a screw inserted into the toolwell of the bench, secretly locked the tool drawer which was hung under the bench top!...bosshogg

You can't help a man who doesn't tell you what he wants (hammer)

 

[Harbo]

Did anybody see the program on the box about Dumfries House which has been bought by the Nation complete with original contents?
They included 50 Chippendale pieces including what is considered to be the worlds most valuable piece ( a cabinet) which was going to be auctioned with estimate of £4m and expected to fetch £12m!
The worrying thing is that they are planning to use the house for weddings etc to pay for it's upkeep.
Let's hope they are kept away from the valuable stuff?


Rod