My first Blanket Chest

5/12/06, 2:10 AM #1

jerome bias
Guest

My first Blanket Chest

jerome bias

>After lurking in the background for quite a while I thought that I would post a picture of my first case good piece that I have made. It is a simplified version of a blanket chest that is in MESDA�s collection, which is in Winston Salem NC.

The original has a drawer at the bottom, raised panels and beading on the stiles. After botching up a couple of the panels, I decided to skip that option and do some more research on making them and to keep it simple and to have flat panels. The drawer and the beading went the same way too. I figure that I can do a couple of different versions of the chest and each time get closer to the original.

I just finished the second iteration of the chest and it has raised panels, but I haven't gotten pictures made of it yet. It has come out fairly okay, but the fields of the panels are proud of the rails and stiles. I haven�t quite resolved that issue yet, which I need to soon. I am expecting a new panel raising plane and it will be here soon.

If you count a cordless drill as a hand tool, then I can truthfully say that I only used hand tools. I can also say that I really like the coloring that I get from walnut and garnet shellac. However, dealing with the defects that occur in walnut can be harrowing. I didn't expect to run into the sap tunnel that showed up in the top. Thankfully it worked in fine esthetically.

I'd also like to say thank you for all of the questions that y'all have asked and answered on the messageboard. They have made this project possible and I appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Jerome Bias

Mebane, NC

Re: My first Blanket Chest

5/12/06, 9:49 AM #2

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI
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Re: My first Blanket Chest

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>To make sure the top of the panel is flush with the face of your stiles and rails, the only thing you need to do is put the groove in your stiles and rails first and then make your panel thickness to match. If there is no back relief on the panel, the panel thickness would measure the same thickness as the distance from the back of the groove to the face of the stile. Then put in the raise in such a way that the edge of the panel matches the width of the groove. This is a nice chest, must have been a lot of hand ripping and jointing, sounds like fun.

Re: My first Blanket Chest

5/12/06, 11:04 AM #3

Jack Guzman from Maine
Member
Offline
3,329 posts

Registered: 5/9/04

Re: My first Blanket Chest

Jack Guzman from Maine

>If you're using same thickness stock for the panels,rabbet the back of the panel so it sits flush with the back of the stiles/rails.If you want the back recessed,use thinner panel stock. I like the panels a little proud of the frame.---Jack

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: My first Blanket Chest

5/12/06, 11:38 AM #4

Raymond in Trenton, NJ
Guest

Nice chest Jerome

Raymond in Trenton, NJ

>Isn't the learning curve fun. Thanks for sharing and can't wait to see the 'second iteration'.

Raymond

Re: My first Blanket Chest

5/12/06, 1:11 PM #5

Bill Tindall, E.TN.
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18,137 posts

Registered: 9/28/04

you are on your way...& MESDA question

bill tindall

>to building some fine furniture. A question on MESDA. What information were you able to get from MESDA on the chest? A picture, dimensions, ??

I had an interest in a piece there and all I could get at the time was a worthlessly dark photo copy of a picture.

There was a painted chest in one room that I thought was particularly handsome.

Re: My first Blanket Chest

5/12/06, 1:19 PM #6

jerome bias
Guest

Re: you are on your way...& MESDA question

jerome bias

>The folks at MESDA were really helpful. They gave me all of their original measurements and notes from the chests acquisition. They also gave me shots of the underside back and various angles.

I think that if you schedule anappointment with them they will let you get up and close with the chest that you are intersted in.

Which room is this chest located in? The one with the heavy German influences.

My first Blanket Chest

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