This article is a portion of Glen Hueys Illustrated guide to building period furniture.
Click here to download the printable project plan.
Then simply follow the steps below to create this heirloom project.
The chest, which is a block-front piece of furniture, may be America’s most popular design. This Chippendale-era gem is a great example of American craftsmen’s ability to create sculpted pieces that are more reminiscent of Queen Anne flat fronts.
Step 1 Make the plywood template for the Drawer Dividers. The radius of the Round section is 15-3/10 cm. The radius of the Inside portion is 3/10cm. Set up and layout one half of the template.
Step 2 Reset the same radius and draw the second half. Carefully cut and final shape the template.
Step 3 Mill the material for the Drawer Dividers, then use the template to mark the profile. The profile can be cut at the bandsaw, but leave a little bit to trim. Position the pieces as shown and trim the final shape using a bottom mounting bearing pattern bit and your router.
Step 4 Next use a 1/2-rabbeting bit to make an 1/8 rabbet. Place that directly in the middle of the Divider.
Step 5 I have modified the bearing on a 1/20 cm corner beading tool. (Increase the bearing size by one step!) so that it will cut leaving an eighth inch of material. Set the bit to profile each edge of the Dividers.
Step 6 Now we can start to build the Case. Lay out and create the pins on the Case Bottom after you have milled it to size
Step 7 After the pins are created, trim an 1/20 cm off of the pin area as shown. This will allow us to cove the dovetails with a 3/10 cm molding.
Step 8 Place bottom onto Case Sides aligning back edges. Then transfer layout to the Sides. Remove the waste area creating the tails and fit to joint making any necessary adjustments.
Recommendations for Product
These are the tools and supplies we use every day in the shop. Although we may be compensated for sales made through our links, these products have been carefully chosen for their utility and quality.
