Another project. Chest of oak drawers.

Hi,

I wanted to make Bron something really special as a surprise gift; Bron loved her card making hobby and had lots of card making materials around the bungalow; could I perhaps help her with this in some way.

Sept 2015 I decided to look at my timber stock and found I had quite a few oak offcuts; I decided to make Bron a personal chest of oak drawers so started machining the oak to dimension;


Blanks and lots of them. The drawer parts were deep cut on the bandsaw very carefully from 1" thick oak then planed using the thicknesser to bring them all to a common 3/8" thickness.


I designed special half lap joints for the front of the drawer frames hiding end grain seen here after being routed in a simple home made jig.


Drawer runner parts.


Drawer runner frame; doing it this way hides the side end grain; I could have mitered the joints but I thought this way would be better; I'm always looking out for better methods.


Gluing under way; note the set square. Accuracy is so important.

Drawer comb jointing set up on my home made router table.


This is the result; perfect comb joints every time; I couldn't afford mistakes as I was on the limit of the oak supply.


16 drawers fully glued with plywood bottoms.


Close up of the drawer fronts after staining and varnishing; the pulls I bought from China very cheaply; a lot of thought went into choosing these.


Bron was over the moon when I introduced her to her new chest of oak drawers; although Bron has sadly passed away I'll never part with these drawers which are still crammed full of card making materials; this was a true labour of love and I'll forever deeply love Bron until the day I die.

I also made the door; wall paneling and cooker enclosure; Bron and I loved each other so much we were the best of friends throughout our 48 years marriage; Bron was also very generous to me spoiling me rotten; there aren't many marriages like this these days. It's tearful as I complete this bringing back so many happy memories.

Kind regards, Col.

 

That is so lovely Col,what a solid marriage.
My husband of 55years made me a lovely easel exactly as I wanted it.So much love and frustration went into the making,but it was well worth it.
Bron will be watching over you.♥️

 

Hi,

Thank you so much @Valley Gardener for your kindness. I'm sure your husband put his very best effort into making the easel for you as I did in making this chest of drawers for Bron.

Although my lovely Bron has passed away as far as I'm concerned we're still married after all Bron died leaving me through no fault of her own whilst fully loving me; I'll be married to Bron until I die then my ashes will be scattered over Bron's ashes.

I wonder how many modern marriages will last as long as yours at 55 years and mine now at 49 years. I'm pleased for you @Valley Gardener and your husband; good on you both.

I've just turned the C/H up in the recording studio; I took all my gear in there from the front room last night; I've quite a bit of setting up to do this afternoon; I've been playing my violins and Bron's guitar in the front room but there aren't enough 13a sockets; I installed 16 x 13a sockets into the studio; I'll be able power all my other gear like guitar pedals and recording gear as well as the lap top I use in the studio. Just another hobby but learning to play my violins is a tough one to crack.

Kind regards, Col.

 

@Retired That's a lovely chest of drawers that you made for Bron, you couldn't buy that, unless it was a old second hand one.

 

Hi,

Thanks so much @Logan To get a copy of this made by a cabinetmaker would cost a great deal of money considering the amount of oak and time went into it. Fortunately I had just enough oak but it was touch and go. I love the smell in the workshop of freshly cut timber. I was so happy and content with Bron as Bron was with me.

Kind regards, Col.