Hi,
I'm a beginning wood worker. I've built basic things many years ago, and built a pretty big jungle gym/swing set in our backyard, but nothing requiring the accuracy/joints that this will require. However, I do have a decent selection of power tools and have decided to tackle a new project.
I purchased a set of plans for a piece that my wife liked the looks of. We're expecting in mid-October, and I would like to get this done by then. When I got the plans, I was shocked to see that they don't have any joints for the dresser. They just plan on nailing and gluing most ends together, including the drawers! There is a rabbet on the back of board A to fit the back of the dresser, but that is it.
For those of you that would just like to look at the plans and make recommendations without reading further, the plans are here:
Here's a little more info if you care to read:
I'd like to get a jig for my router that will do dovetails (and the other joints), and use that for the drawers. However, I don't know what would be best for the rest of the joints. Can someone look at these plans and recommend proper joints? The jig I'm planning on buying will do sliding dovetails, mortise and tenons, dovetails, half-blind dovetails, and supposedly over 100 more. I did order a few books on joinery, but I don't have them yet. Obviously the jig just helps, but I need to know what to do in order for the jig to be successful. I'm not buying it in hopes that it will automagically make the joints for me. I will be reading up on what joints work best for this type of project, but I'm hoping to get a head start and recommendations for the experience folks here.
I'd like to build this so that it could be strong enough to be passed to my children for their kids, or at least hold up for many many years. I'm tired of the pressed board kits from Wal-mart that fall apart when you move them, or even after 3 years if you don't move them.
Anyway, I'm planning on using a harder wood than pine for most of this, but I need to balance strength and price - I'm not going with Walnut or Oak. I was thinking Maple. Any recommendations as to wood would be appreciated, too.
For now, we're going to finish this in white, as it will match the crib and other furniture in the room. However, if it's ever refinished, it would be nice to keep staining as an option.
FYI, the plans were purchased on a large sheet, and I put them into a document that I could print and work with so I don't mess up the original. You'll notice the folds in some of the pictures/graphics on the plans.
Thank you for your time!
-- Kent Iler
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