Re: Congrats to Adam C. and Scott G.!
Adam Cherubini, NJ
>Brad,
1) What is a crab lock?
Its a typical 18th century chest lock. The striker looks like an arrow head and the lock like a crab with two spring loaded claws. The striker spreads the claws apart then they slam back together (on the arrow's shaft, if you will). My lock is original. What i liked about it is that when the lid is closed, the chest locks automatically. That keeps Dad's sharpest and most interesting tools out of reach. As long as the lid is closed, I know the chest is locked.
2) Why was mahogany used for the till?
Because I had it, first and foremost. The use of a fancier wood for interior appointments was typical in the 19th century. (see below)
3) What process/factors led you to design the till layout? (Tools, historical examples, personal preference)
Historical examples is the right answer. The tools in the box, both in terms of general form and specific types and sizes are all well researched and documentable. That chest represents what a well supplied cabinetmaker had in the mid to late 18th century. But there's a longer story behind this.
4) What does the top of the lid look like??
Its just flat. I actually had to glue up two pieces though to make up the 20" or so width. There's a bogus molding running around it.
Here's the longer story: Proceed at your own risk!
I set out to build an 18th century chest. Unfortunately there aren't many examples. Of the exisiting documentable examples, none seem to have common features. So I began studying 19th century chests including one in my wife's family. Using the 19th century chests in comparison, typical 18th century features emerged. The 18th century chests:
*are longer and lower than 19th century models
*usually have only a single till
*lids are held on with strap hinges
*are typically painted that blue green color, yuck!
*always have rope handles
My chest exhibits these characteristics, but it fails to provide any further insight into 18th c sensibilities. The problem was my own arrogant frame of reference. My tools feature an uncommon uniformity. The neat rows of matching tools in the till, though typical of 19th century chests, fails to indicate the naturalistic predilection of the 18th century mind. In the end I learned more from my mistakes (like the nice neat molding under the lid that can't be seen) and more about myself and how little I understood about the world, than I did from any success of finishing the chest.
I wrote an article for FWW on the research, and the construction of the chest and what I learned about 18th century workshops. But since I didn't use japanese saws, and its not shaker inspired, arts and crafts, tansu doored, curly cherry, they passed. (I'm not bitter) That was two years ago. I got an email a few months ago asking for a new picture (which I immediately sent all starry eyed and flattered) so that's what you see!
While I'm telling you the naked truth, I must admit I'm a bit embarrassed by that chest now. Its like a scarlet letter; all my ignorant arrogance, proud and wrong in the corner of my shop next to the bench I hate.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Is my time up now?
Adam