Blanket chest questions

[arcticfox46]

Did I tell you that my daughter is getting married?

Well, I plan to make her a really nice cedar lined blanket chest.

I got a good deal on some 1/4 sawn cherry for the cover and outside surfaces. $2.50 a board foot. I hope that is an OK price.

I want to build the chest out of the cherry and line the inside with cedar. I don't know anything about cedar. Are there different varieties? Is it going to react is some strange way with the cherry? Does anybody have any comments about building a blanket chest like this. Any pics? or any plans?

This is going to be my first attempt at this sort of furniture thing. I want it to come out really really nice.

[WoodMangler]

I thought this was a pretty plan... I like the look... Might look great in cherry eh....

http://www.rockler.com/rockler/images/40448.jpg

[link:www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?&offerings_id=1602&catid=50&ob jectgroup_id=416&sid=AF387|Rockler has it... click here].....

[arcticfox46]

Thanks Jerry,

Eastern Red Cedar is better than Western for the chest?

I like the design you have there. Is it your own design? I have looking all over the internet and seen so many now, they are all starting to be a blur. I like the raised panel style like you show there.

I have seen a lot of plans that come close to what I want but nothing is exactly right.

Still looking for more insight though. All the comments I get will be great. Thank you too Marc, for the Rockler plans. Yes I do also like that one.

[arcticfox46]

The Cherry I am getting is what is called "backer board". They told me it is from a venearing process. The venearing machine cute strips off until they cannot cut any more. What is left is the backer board. It is like a 4/4 slice right through the center of the tree. The middle of the 12-18" wide board is the center of the tree.

The middle 1" to 2" of the board is the center of the tree. For the most part that will be scrap. Left and right side of center there is 4-5 inch wide beautiful grain and rays. The outer most part of the board about 1 to 1-1/2 inches is sapwood. Sooo, there is scrap in the wood, but there is also a lot of beautiful quarter sawn cherry. Nice color and nice grain. They told me that quarted sawn cherry would be about 8-10 a board foot. I figured that even with some scrap, I'm doing good.

Still my pocketbook does have a bottom to it. Today I spent $120.00 for 4 boards, 45 B/F. Next paycheck I will get more. Right now I have about 75 B/F, I KNOW I will use it all up

[Sawduster]

The Eastern is my favorite of the two. The design is of the one in the picture is my own, sort of on the fly design. I tend to maybe sketch something out, then take measurements from the piece itself as I'm building.

[arcticfox46]

Cody,

Thanks for the tip on the cedar at the big box stores. That will definately be a big help.

That IS a really nice one in the pic you posted.

I do beleive I am going to design my own. That one is a nice design. I did look at all the ones on the NYW site that other people built. I am gonna sketch something up and show you guys, what I am thinking. Gimme a few minutes.

I think I am going to do the drawer thing on the lower part and then a big area inside for blankets with a lid shelf and a music box. I am also thinking of a seat top with a cushion. They seem to look pretty nice.

Does anyone know where to aquire the hardware for the lid shelf. You know, the shelf that opens and stays level when you open the lid.

[Cody Colston]

Nice plan. I like the cushioned top since that's part of the allure of blanket chests. They serve as a great sitting area at the foot of a bed.

You can get the lid hardware from our sponsor here, among other places.
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/search_...x=3&submit.y=8

BTW - The cedar closet lining comes in cardboard boxes and you may have to hunt for it...unless you get lucky and have a sales person who actually knows what is in the store. :)

I've gotten it all in 4' lengths and other boxes were random lengths...but the ends were also tongue and groove, so it really didn't matter.

Cody

[ol]

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just...[/ol]

Thomas Jefferson

[dmaclusk]

With the sides being rail/stile, how does do you "usually" join them together? 45 deg miters and splines or biscuit? I've got a similar type join coming up and that's what I've been planning on doing. Thought I'd ask since you've got it sketched out that way :)

[arcticfox46]

Dave, I have never "usually" done this before. This is going to be my first attempt at a heirloom piece. I do have sweaty palms over this.

So with that said, I dunno, haven't given the details that much thought yet. 45's sound reasonable, then the edge grain of the front or side stile would not show. I don't think it would be a very strong joint. You could reinforce it with a small triangle backer in the inside corner. I think finger joints would be nice, but not everybody likes them. I am not up to dovetail joints yet, and I don't think that would be the right joint here.

I may simply have the front stile overlap the side stile. I would then use biscuits and gravy and clamp it all up. After the glue dried I wound sand the joint so that it was not visible. Of course I would have to adjust the side stile width so that it would appear to be the same width as the front stile.

Another method might be a little more complex but would be a good joint. That would be to cut a 1/2 deep x 3/4 wide rabbit into the front stile to accept the side stile. Again lots of gravy and clamps, no biscuits. With this method I could make the four sides complete, then assemble the four sides, and add the bottom panel to square it all up. Maybe this is what I will do.

The bottom decorative "kick board" is definately going to be mitered as well as the "wrap" around the top above the rail and stile panels. I think a lot of the design will be as I go with it. I think the wood will tell me when the time is right.

JERRY ??? How did you do your chest?? Yours is the same style with raised panels.

[Sawduster]

Yeah, Leo, that's the ticket. A seat on the top, especially padded, is handy at the foot of the bed.