Bayview Escarpment

Cherry dresser in the making

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I am in the process of constructing a solid cherry dresser with 20 drawers, graduated in size from top to bottom. The amount of wood – and work – associated with crafting such a well made dresser is deceptively huge. I use hand cut dovetails at numerous points to prevent the carcass from twisting in the future and to solidly hold everything together.

 

With 33 parts to be glued simultaneously, this 60″ high dresser is a challenge

The dovetails also allow the shelf dividers to be only glued at the front and then move freely towards the back within their mortises. With a total of 33 composite parts – plus several dozen dowel pins, eight dovetail joints, and 18 mortises – all needing to be glued and assembled together simultaneously, and with just me in the shop, I rely heavily on traditional hide glue and its very slow (24 hr) curing time.

Hand cut dovetails ensure the dresser will remain strong and square over time

I prefer to attach the base moulding using the traditional technique of constructing a separate base, setting the carcass on that base, and then installing a final piece of moulding along the edge. This means that the base moulding will expand and contract in tandem with the base while the carcass moves independently of it, rather than the moulding fighting against the perpendicular carcass grain. All this takes time, but this is what makes the difference between quality furniture and furniture that looks nice – for the moment.

Rather than simply nailing the base moulding to the carcass, a separate cabinet base is constructed and the carcass sits on that.

Once the accompanying night stands are assembled I will make all the drawers at once.

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I create custom handcrafted furniture design to fit your style and life.