May 2010:
Shaker Double Dresser:
This shaker dresser is a commissioned piece custom designed with Shaker elements. Made of white soft Maple as the primary wood and poplar as the secondary wood. The 9 graduated drawers will be made of soft curly (tiger) maple.
First a 1:2 scale drawing is done to work out the details of the shaker bureau. Then all the parts are milled to size.
Next the sides and the bottom are glued up. The bottom has maple and poplar, the maple front edge will be the only part of this visible.
Next the dovetails for the case construction are cut. This case is 60” long, creativity comes in when hand cutting dovetails on longer pieces.
Once all the dovetails are cut the case can be test fit. These dovetails are not going to be visible, we use this type of joinery on are case construction because of its unmatched strength.
Next the bottom of the case is glued to the sides, once that dries the dados and the sliding dovetails are cut into the case sides to accept the drawer dividers and drawer supports.
After all those are cut the horizontal drawer dividers are cut to length and the sliding dovetails are cut on the ends to lock into the case. This joint is both extremely strong and it adds a lot to the look of the entire bureau. This same joint is used on the back of the case where it will not be seen, these joints together will help hold the case straight and tight for generations to come.
After all the horizontal drawer dividers are cut and fitted they are mortised to accept the drawer slides/ supports for the sides and center. The corresponding tenons are cut on the drawer slides/supports.
Next the vertical drawer dividers are cut and fit. After all 24 parts are test fit for the 9 drawer dresser I will scrape and sand all the parts before they are glued up.
After a couple hours the clamps come off and you can see this Shaker 9 drawer bureau taking shape.
Next up I milled and cut all the pieces for the bracket base / bracket feet. After dry fitting everything without glue I glued and clamped the feet up. Glue blocks are then applied underneath to hold the feet to the case and give them extra strength.
Next all the drawer sides and backs are Resawn out of 8/4 (2”) thick poplar. Once all the parts are rough cut I will let them sit and acclimate for at least 24 hrs.
All the drawer fronts are milled out of tiger maple. The drawers on this bureau are lipped , so the edge profile is cut on all the drawer fronts and a rabbit is cut on the sides and the top of each drawer for the lip. After this the drawers fronts are fit to each opening using hand tools.
Next all the drawer sides are milled to thickness and size for each drawer. Each level of drawers is a different size. Once all the parts are cut to size, layout of all the dovetails comes next. Cutting all the tails on the drawer sides comes first.
After all the tails are cut they are then marked onto the front and back of the corresponding drawer part. The backs are all fitted first then the fronts.
After all the drawer parts are fitted its time to cut a groove on the inside of each drawer to except the drawer bottoms. Drawer bottoms are made next out of solid poplar and then fitted to each drawer.
After the drawers are all rough fit the top for the bureau is made out of Maple, with an applied molding below connecting the top to the case. After all the parts are made it is time for a finish sanding on all parts of the Shaker Bureau before staining begins.
The stain on this Chest of Drawers will be a water based dye. The color is an early american golden-pumpkin color. The drawers, Top and case are all stained separately. The dye is wet over the entire surface for about 5 min. before being wiped off.
Once the stain has dried for 24 hrs a base coat of linseed oil is put on to bring out the figure and depth of the wood.
A few coats of oil finish is applied over the next few days. After the finish dries, the knobs are put on and the back is made. The back on this piece is a frame and panel.
More pictures of this finished Shaker Bureau on our
