WALNUT HOPE CHEST

A special project from special wood.

SHOP OWNER: Roger Mallory

LOCATION: Charleston, WV

Although not planned, about the time my niece was born I had to cut down a walnut tree. A few years later, I had it sawn into boards and stored them in the garage to dry while waiting for a special project. I had to move the wood twice when building our new house. Since 1990, it has been stored in my basement.

The special project finally arrived and I built my niece this hope chest for graduation. I used half blind dovetails in the case and drawer construction. The plan came from Woodsmith magazine, volume 29. I finished the walnut with several coats of amber shellac. I hand sanded the finish and rubbed on a coat of paste wax.

My niece lives in Orlando, Florida and I live in West Virginia. To get the chest to Florida, I had to rent a van. Nevertheless, it was worth it just to see the expression on her face.