Project Review: Jewelry Chest

[Dave]

Hi all. I just completed my first jewelry chest as a gift for SWMBO for our second wedding anniversary.

I used one of Nahmie's plans from The New Yankee Workshop, with a few notable modifications.

I hand-cut through dovetails for the working drawers instead of the machine cut half-blind dovetails that the plans called for. Because this was a small project, and I wanted to practice my Neander skills, I decided to hand plane all of the stock and try out my new set of scrapers instead of sanding ? cool, no dust! I also added a relief carving to the lid. This was my first attempt at carving, and for the most part, it turned out pretty well. The plans called for a 16-inch,

95-degree stop hinge; however, Rockler discontinued this hinge last year and good luck finding it elsewhere. I ended up getting two 7.87-inch, 95-degree stop hinges from Lee Valley. Using tips I found on the rec, I fumed them with ammonia to match the antique brass knobs. Finally, and most important, I substituted grooves and dados where Nahmie used WIRE BRADS and used a nice wiping varnish instead of Minwax Dark Walnut Stain ; ` )

BTW, for 10 bucks, not bad plans and a fun project overall.

Pics at:

appreciated, Dave

[Micheal R. Frichette]

Dave,

Nice box. Wife should be very happy!

Mikie :-)

[J T]

Tue, Jun 29, 2004, 10:09am (EDT-3) [e-mail] (Dave) says: Hi all. I just completed my first jewelry chest as a gift for SWMBO for our second wedding anniversary.

The chest looks very good. But, you screed up big time. Now she's gonna expect it to be filled - with jewelry. You should have called it a sewing chest. She'd be just as happy, it wouldn't cost you as much to fill up, and she would feel obligated to sew your clothes up when you tear them. Or, if she doesn't sew, you could have called it a lingerie chest, then bought lingerie of your choice to fill it up. It's important to always think ahead.

JOAT That the peope have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the state.

- Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776

[Woodchuck Bill]

[e-mail] (J T) wrote in news:29137-40E1BA4A-592@storefull-

3155.bay.webtv.net:

Maybe she already has enough jewelry to fill it up?

[J T]

Tue, Jun 29, 2004, 9:06pm (EDT+4) [e-mail] (Woodchuck=A0Bill) Maybe she already has enough jewelry to fill it up?

Then he's probably in even worse trouble. Next piece of jewelry, she's gonna say, no room. So, then he's gonna have to make another. And, then she's gonna want to fill that one up too. If you're gonna make a jewelry chest, make a small one.

He should have just told it it was a tool chest, and kept it.

JOAT When you're up to your ass in alligators, today is the first day of the rest of your life.

- Archchancellor Mustrum Ridcully, UU

[Woodchuck Bill]

[e-mail] (J T) wrote in news:18231-40E1EE0A-650@storefull-

3154.bay.webtv.net:

ROTFL! That would have been quite the plan.

[Preston Andreas]

Nice job. Good fit on thedovetails. Was the heart part of the plans and how did you do it?

> Comments appreciated,

[Dave]

Hmmm. Well, our anniversary isn't until July 12. How about if I put some shiny new router bits in the padded ring holders and tell her it's "our" new tool chest?

[Dave]

Thanks Preston. The heart was not part of the plans. Since I've never carved anything before I did a little research and found this site:

After I reviewed some of the tutorials, I sketched the heart pattern on the lid and started cutting with a #9 10mm gouge. After I got the basic shape and relief completed, I started sanding. One thing is for certain: my thumbs will never make a living as a wood carver - it's a lot of sanding work in tiny crevices.

[Grant P. Beagles]

Thanks for a good chuckle this morning!

J T wrote:

[Larry Jaques]

On 30 Jun 2004 03:03:21 -0700, [e-mail] (Dave) calmly ranted:

Not if you appreciate tool marks for the art that they are.

And regarding your putting router bits in the ring holders, DON'T! They make vicious weapons for an angry person who hurls them with all their might when they find they've been cheated out of a ring.

Plus they'd cut her if she tried to fit one on.

Bad news!

[Nate Perkins]

Very nice! I enjoyed looking at your other projects as well.