Thoughts on case furniture

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

Henry (Raleigh NC)

Pretty clearly yes! I really don't know how.

First hurdle is terminology. Case sides, top and feet/legs is pretty easy. Much of the rest of the terminology is not intuitive or memorable to me. The more I read of your and Derek's posts (all worth re-reading!), the more I understand. Not having the terminology at fingertips makes asking questions harder.

The number of parts in a case piece, and sequencing of fabrication/fitting and assembly is a bit overwhelming compared to making a table (most of my projects).

Fitting dovetails (or alternative joinery) for the blades and dividers (see I have leaned some lingo recently) in the piece (as Derek has recently described) is totally new.

Drawers are not totally new, but I do not have enough experience to know what methods might work well for me. Also fitting and adjustment required there.

You and Derek have both done wonderfully well describing your methods and reasons, but a case piece would involve a lot a new aspects in one piece. I almost always try a new technique or element in my work (not as prolific as you are) but a case piece involves a bunch of new techniques.

I have a piece in mind that we would like for our house, I am just not ready to plunge yet.

Keep writing Bill - I need to read about something a lot before I try it. Yours and Derek's writing are inspirational, and I WILL get there (likely with a lot of WC coaching).

Henry

PS

Henry (Raleigh NC)

and...

I have the same thoughts about tables: Why do people not make a real table they like rather than buy such crap?

But then after making a dozen or two tables, I have made all the classic mistakes and feel like I can make whatever we'd need. If one is not a woodworker, then the number of steps and variables can be overwhelming; understanding the tradeoffs comes with experience.

When you have experience with a type of project, you have more foundation to proceed. I have that for tables, I just don't for case pieces.

Henry

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

John in NM

Great topic Bill.

I hate to admit it, but I've pretty much given up making furniture for my house. Wife has different tastes and just prefers to buy something. Can't fight it, she has every right to enjoy what she likes too I figure. I spent enough time working in commercial shops that I dislike making stuff I think is ugly - I don't mind living with it so much though.

Most of my shop time the last 10 years has been making stuff to sell or working on the house itself. The last five I haven't even been able to keep up on either one. Maybe priorities will change once I retire.

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

Frank S

I have made but do avoid. Managing to produce square panels and a square case have proven to be very difficult for me with case sizes. Compensated for my ineptness by buying old (pre-1930s) and restoring.

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

Jesse Cloud

I enjoy case work and have built dressers, cabinets, and desks in use throughout the house. I have a style I am comfortable with. I also have a process that works for me and I enjoy.

I don't post on case goods topics often for a few reasons:

1. There are plenty of seasoned experts posting there, so questions always get answered quickly. I don't have much to add.

2. The case goods area, and particularly anything to do with drawers, are among the most argumentative on the whole board. I don't enjoy arguments, particularly about subjective stuff such as style and taste. I feel no need or desire to defend my tastes or methods. I also feel no particular need to convince others to do things the way I do.

I do enjoy the highly educational and often creative posts that Bill and Derek put out. Thanks for posting!

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

Ray Mtn. Home Ar.

Built this one out of mahogany for my wife. Decided that I would never do anything like it again.

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

Johanna Johanson

I am currently building two dressers. I am at the point of routing dadoes for the vertical dividers. Not getting much done right now because it's cold as a bear's butt in the shop.

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

Clint Searl

I think that when most folks want another place to store their socks, they want more than a box with drawers. They want something that reflects their good taste: Chippendale, Queen Anne, Spanish Colonial, etc. Designs that are beyond their emulating; so, learning how to fit two pieces of wood together is of scant use.

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

Mark Nowicki

I don't build case goods because case goods bore me to death.

Twenty years ago, I did make a mortise and tennon and a dovetail joint that, according to the instructor, were perfect, but you could not pay me enough to cut another one.

Here is an example of a quick and dirty case build to hold hair brushes, first aid and sanitary pads that made the wife very happy.

Woodworking is like ice cream and racing, more flavours that just vanilla and NASCAR.

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

Barry Irby

I have made a few case pieces over the last couple of years. Three similar chests of drawers for the grand children, another for a nephew, and one for myself. Also made a number of nightstands and beds. Have not posted pictures because I forgot how. Just made my son a MCM console about seven feet long out of fumed oak. Made my Grandson a toybox with dovetail joints and a little table with bolt on legs. Made them an oval dining table and chairs and a bench to go with it.

I have some questions that may range toward the philosophical. I use a router and dovetail bit to cut the DT's in the cases. Can reliably cut nice tight functional joints quickly. So, why would hand cut joints be better? Is it the panache? The risk? Am I missing the point? Is the point to produce a sturdy lasting piece of furniture or is it more important to as my son says do it the hardest way possible?

Twice recently I have been admonished not to glue a plywood drawer bottom into the drawer. I worked my way through college building kitchen cabinets. Built hundreds of drawers with the plywood bottoms glued in. No complaint ever. Talked to my friend who worked with me and still builds cabinets, thousands of drawers, no complaint ever.

Why not use mechanical runners? I know they did not use them in antiques that are 200 years old. OTOH, they did not have them. I have repaired dozens of drawers that were dovetailed and properly built of wood softer than the runners in the case, so the wear would occur on the drawer where it would be easier to repair.

There is much to learn from the craftsmen who built the surviving antiques. Just think what they might have done with modern power tools.

Re: Thoughts on case furniture

Don Stephan

Perhaps begin with a small square side table with four legs and a single drawer. Perhaps 25" H and 12" sqare for beside a recliner. Very functional, will will have elements of case pieces without the volume of material and joints.

that is sound advice

good idea

Henry (Raleigh NC)

Except we don't need another side table....

Maybe a bed-side piece, that'll work. I like it.

Henry