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Port Orford Cedar in April, 2024 Fine Woodworking

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Port Orford Cedar in April, 2024 Fine Woodworking

#1

Hey, Gary Radice, check out the new FWW. It's a POC tansu. I went from library to book store but they didn't have the issue.

General Thoughts: 
POC is not noted for grain character, and the FWW article example confirms that dull nature. It shines best in scent. I find the use of Western Red Cedar odd.

An aside- When I was in grade school my 4-H club leader taught me how to make the same type of hardware from copper also.

Re: Port Orford Cedar in April, 2024 Fine Woodworking

#2

Thanks, Bruce. I did see it since I have a subscription. He was luck to have to such clear, straight grained stock to work with. I think he will like the look as it ages, too.

I'm not a huge fan of the way tansu are reinforced with hardware at the corners. I understand the need for it historically but to my eye it just looks overdone. I love the shape of the pulls. I also don't understand why he used WRC for the drawer sides. But I know that traditional Japanese construction favors very light drawers, usually made of Paulownia, and that they don't have a tradition of fussing too much about drawer construction. Just glue and pin and be done with it, like the author did.

What do others think? Anyone ever make a tansu?

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