Woodworking HowTo – Oak Blanket Chest – Part 1 (of 3)
Posted by The Woodworker on Oct 20, 2009
EagleLakeWoodworking аѕkеd:
Pаrt 1 οf 3 – John W. Nixon frοm Eagle Lake Woodworking demonstrates hοw tο build a classic oak blanket chest. Sοmе οf thе notable features include – Dovetailed Construction, Exposed Spline Joints, An Arts аnd Crafts inspired style, аnd replica hand-hammered hardware. Thе 23 minutes video covers: * Gluing up wide panels. * Mаkіng a dovetailed box. * Pattern routing. * Spline joints. * Shop-mаdе laminate press. * Installing hardware – hinges, lid support, & lockset. * 3 step fіnіѕh process …
John,
I’ve taken a good look at your laminate press and I’d like your opinion. Do you think a press like this would suffice as a veneer press too?
Regards,
Hans
Hand work would consist of a layout gauge,a dovetail saw and a sharp chisel. If you are making one piece and have the skill and patience it is probably the most cost effective method. But if you desire consistency and repeatability this method or a simple dovetail fixture with handheld routers will pay for itself in a couple of projects. We have to use the technology that’s available and save time where we can. I’d rather use extra time in the finishing process than handcutting dovetails.
Mauricio Torres, from Brazil:
Superb woodwork, good video, but more
interesting by the use of machines and jigs. Would you call handwork to this ?
Those machine cut dovetails are pretty bad. I **** the way they look so perfect and all the glue surfaces are touching making the joints incredibly strong .If the old time cabinet makers had access to routers they would have used them. What is the advantage of hand cut dovetails? I can’t think of one. I want the best results in the least time! Don’t be a snob picklehead.
Very Beautiful and percise work.
Thanks for the tutorial.
I would find it a pretty box/chest if I liked machine cut dovetails.
THanks conmech. I was wondering why I don’t have more subscribers than I do. Not sure what I can do about that though.
this is a beautiful video. Thanks a lot for helping out. Are you a pro video maker? Because you have very fewer subscribers than you should have.
Very good video. Commentry is excellent.
You covered everthing in one short video.
That incra setup is amazing. A friend of mine has it, and it well built and very well thought out. Looking through the book that comes with it, just blew my mind. I’m sure you’ll make some great stuff with your new setup. Good luck, and thanks for checking out my videos and commenting here.
I visited your site…good stuff. I’ve never seen a dovetailing jig like that, it interesting. My Incra LS TS will arrive tomorrow, that’s how I plan on making dovetails in the future.
Hi , John.
Thanks.
Wood- Okume
Dimension:80,0×40,0×45,0 cm.
Hi Baro,
I look forward to seeing your version of the blanket chest! Judging from your other work, I’m sure it will be fantastic.
Good luck, and let me know if you need any dimensions or other details.
John
Hi John , how are you?
Today i start with new project , Oak Blanket Chest …..I am sorry but i must
=copy-paste= your work , its amazing…
ok , thats all ….Video comming soon.
Best regards , Baro.
Ah well… Armpit dosn’t sound so bad as when we say ‘Backside’! I am sitting on mine right now, shall we say? Lol! Thanks for the info. I will check it out. Mind you, your woodshop would make 6 of mine!
John
Thanks for watching John. The dovetail template is from MLCSWoodworking dot com. There’s a video devoted to the dovetail templates (check my other videos here on YouTube, and you’ll see it) that I made for MLCS to give viewers a look at how to setup and use them. Check out that video, you will get a good feel for how they work.
Funny thing about the language nuances. I once talked about an overarm dust collection guard on an Aussie site, they compared it to the underarm (arm pit).
Hi John;
Did you shop-make the dovetail template, or is it a manufactured product?
It seems much less fuss than even the Keller and that was simple enough to use.
Oh, I had to smile btw… ‘Backside’ means something entirely diffeent in the UK! We would say Rearside or Rear face..
Obliged
John W. UK.
You could definitely glue in the bottom panel since it was plywood. The one advantage would be the bottom may rattle a little less. It might add a bit of strength, but the dovetailed box is plenty strong. Adding the base make it even stronger.
The only drawback might be cleaning up squeeze out on the inside of the box. Other than that, there’s no harm in gluing in a plywood bottom.
Nice video! I’m curious if there are any benefits or drawbacks to gluing the bottom panel into the dado?
Nice work. Is there a reason you are wearing a ring at the table saw? That is so dangerous its not even