Q:
I am considering building a classic highboy for my wife out of cherry, maple, or walnut. What impact would it have on the piece if, due to the cost, I bought the wood at various times throughout the project, rather than all at once?
3
Tom Burnside, Clinton, NC
A:
If you can’t buy all the wood for your project at once, you won’t get a full set of matching boards. But if you buy the lumber wisely, you can maintain consistency within each element of the highboy at least. First, make sure materials for the major elements are covered in your initial purchase. For your highboy, buy enough lumber that matches in grain and color to make the sides of both the upper and lower cases.
It’s also essential to keep the grain and color on the facades of the two cases consistent. For both aesthetic and structural reasons, pick straight grain for these components and, if possible, make them from the same board.
You can buy drawer-front stock separately, but use extra care in selecting the boards. They should be similar in grain and color. If two drawers will sit alongside each other, cut them from the same board with the grain flowing from one front to the other.
All the molding stock should match as well, and can be bought separately. Secondary woods for the upper case interiors, the case back, and all of the drawer sides and bottoms can be purchased later.
Finally, as you build the highboy, keep the completed sections out of direct sunlight, even covered, to minimize discoloration until you can finish the entire piece.
Correction: The grain of the lower case side, which is joined by tenons to the legs of the piece, should have been orientedhorizontally. If it were vertical, as originally drawn, the tenons would be very weak.
Drawing by Vince Babak.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Ridgid R4331 Planer
DeWalt 735X Planer
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