It's a Start
While going about spring doing spring things, I have also managed to squeeze in some shop time. Because I don't have a great source of walnut, I had to order mine online and because that means I can't choose my boards, I generally have to order some extra too. It certainly isn't efficient and I wish I had a better source but for now it will do. It also doesn't hurt to have some extra lying around for a small project or accent on a larger project. Above is most of the walnut pieces for the 12-drawer dresser project with the joinery already completed. I still need to order walnut for the top but that can be further down the road.
This project is more old school because I'm using traditional mortise and tenon joinery. You can see some both in the above photo. Because wood varies to some degree, I always cut things so the joint is a bit too tight and then fine tune each joint individually using chisels to get the proper fit. Once that has been achieved, I label the joint so that I can get it put together when the final glue up is completed.
Above is the frame of the dresser put together. The two boards on the back weren't mortise and tenon because they really don't need to be since they aren't seen so I had to clamp them in place. I did this just as a final check with my wife about the size of the unit since it is a bit taller than our old dresser it will be replacing. I'm still debating on next steps but I think I'll likely sand everything well and finish what you see above before proceeding onto the next step which will likely be to build some of the internal structure that will support the drawer and their hardware. I'll likely just leave the top until last since it won't require a lot of time per day but will take a lot of days to complete. This will be easier when it is hotter out and I can just work a few hours in the morning before stopping for the day.
Walnut is such a beautiful wood. The dresser is progressing nicely!
ReplyDeleteIt really is which I suppose why it is a lot more expensive. It is also why I typically use it somewhat sparingly and only for the visual high impact areas. I also find it contrasts nicely with red oak which is much more reasonable to purchase around here anyway.
DeleteLucky wife!
ReplyDeleteAnd lucky me! She allows me to do something I enjoy doing.
DeleteWill you get much done on this before your trip? I look forward to seeing the end product.
ReplyDeleteI'm not optimistic on that front. I plan to make dovetailed drawers which will be time consuming. But I do have hopes to get it done this year with time to do perhaps another project of some sort.
DeleteI'm always super impressed with all your building projects. Art is too! This walnut piece will become an heirloom.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. It would be a shame for it to end up in a dumpster a few years from now.
DeleteYou are off to a great start! Patience is the name of the game when it comes to woodworking. Barb made a worktable this week, it really tested hers.
ReplyDeleteMost definitely, my patience gets tested regularly. I've already had to make fixes when I cut past a line I had repeatedly told myself I couldn't cut past. Fortunately, it is on the back side of the back leg.
DeleteDo you ever sell your furniture? You could make this an income stream!
ReplyDeleteI haven't though I did get compensated for materials with the alter build. I would need a more dedicated space if I were to contemplate selling furniture. My unconditioned garage that also holds two vehicles is not conducive to a business.
DeleteEd, TB The Elder's favourite antique furniture was always walnut. He appreciated the wood, especially when aged.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of shipping, does that come directly to your home or is it at a retailer and you have to pick it up?
I have it shipped directly to my home. It is the only option here short of going to an Amish sawmill, but they rarely have anything thick enough and most of the time it is buried and they want three days notice to dig it out. With no phones, that means driving all that way twice with no guarantee they will be there.
DeleteI love your use of old school joinery. I would guess beautiful handmade furniture like this is quite rare.
ReplyDeleteAt least around here, it is darn near impossible to buy quality furniture that isn’t flat packed laminated fiberboard.
DeleteBeautiful wood. I applaud you for using traditional techniques. It's so important these be preserved.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I use them because they make for super strong furniture and look nicer without seeing fasteners.
DeleteWalnut is such pretty wood!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to go wrong with it.
DeleteReading your brief explanation of how you make the mortise and tenon joins leaves me impressed with the care and patience you put into your woodworking.
ReplyDeleteI am constantly trying to slow down and have even more patience than I already have!
DeleteWalnut is a beautiful wood. I have a friend here who last a walnut tree during Helene and got a neighbor with a rather large home sawmill to cut it into lumber. He figures in two years it'll be cured enough (air dried in a barn).
ReplyDeleteAbout an inch a year is what I've always heard. I wish I had the ability to store some lumber somewhere. If I did, I would likely already own a portable sawmill at this point since I have access to thousands of trees.
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