My Project Page.

Welcome to BCS Woodworks project page. Here you will find a photo diary of the project that I am currently working on.

!!!Bookmark this page to quickly return to follow the progress of this project

From the concept shown below a prototype cedar chest will be made to accomplish the following goals:

1) to establish the sequence of construction.
2) to test construction techniques
3) to evaluate the design and choice of materials

Conceptual drawing of a Cedar Chest - it will be my next project. Note that the design is different from most production chests in that the frame includes the legs rather than built on top of the legs. While I prefer the look it is a little more awkward to build

For a larger picture, click on the thumbnail photo.

Walnut is milled from stock that will make up the frame of the prototype.	Using a template, the curve of the rails is traced.	Using a template, the curve to the legs is traced.	Using the bandsaw the front frame is cut from walnut boards that have been sized and planed.
Checking the rails for symmetry.	Spalted alder boards that have been sized and planed are glued that will become the front, sides and back panel inlays.	The front panel is assembled with biscuits at each joint.	All four panels are set in a rabbet so the red cedar lining will lie flat along the entire inside. The panels should float freely to allow for expansion/contraction. However these will be glued to the frame and to the cedar lining due to their fragile nature. It's a quasi veneer and should reduce the tendency to buckle or crack.
All the sides have been joined and the first coat of varnish applied. Now on to making the top	The top, which is going to be upholstered, is simply 3/4 ply with a walnut trim. The underside is lined with cedar.	The inside of the chest is lined with aromatic cedar that is glued to the frame and inlayed panels to give the relatively fragile alder support. It will be trimmed with western cedar to finish off the inside.	Closeup of leg's grain and finish
Closeup of top detail	Finished chest with top cushion	Inside finish with hardware

The project, built from a simple concept has produced a relatively nice piece. However a couple of steps should be reversed to make it both easier and cleaner in finish. For example: the curve to the foot should be milled after the cuts for the biscuits are made; also, the inside corner trim should be installed first, then mill the top and bottom trim into the corners for a better look. The dimensions of the chest are larger than production pieces and could be reduced for smaller rooms. This piece works nicely in large rooms next to king sized beds. The inlay choice of wood is a matter of preference. Spalted alder was choosen for its appearance to zebrawood and light weight. However it's fragile and needed to be veneered to the aromatic liner for strenght. If a panel of ply were to be used as the inlay then the panel should float within the frame and a center support would be required to attach the cedar lining.

Since my "shop" is outside, and the weather turning miserable, this is my last larger project for the season. However I always wanted to build an all-wood clock and will be working on that piece throughout the winter.