Small Shaker chest

comments (1) March 26th, 2009 in Reader's Gallery

Johanna Johanna, member
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Front view of the chest of drawers.
This view displays the dovetail joinery and the through tenons that hold the long divider in place.
Instead of tools, the chest is used as a jewelry box.  All drawers are lined with silvercloth.
Front view of the chest of drawers. - CLICK TO ENLARGE

Front view of the chest of drawers.
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In 1808 (or thereabouts), Shaker Elder Richard McNemar built a walnut tool chest for his son, Benjamin.  The chest has been discussed in several woodworking books, in particular The Shaker Legacy by Christian Becksvoort.  The chest measures 7 3/4" x 36 1/8" x 8".  It is solid walnut.  The original used pine as a secondary wood, but this copy uses white oak for the drawer sides and backs.  The case and all the drawers utilize dovetail joinery.  The horizontal dividers are secured in dadoes and have 1/4" square through tenons as well.  The vertical dividers are housed in stopped sliding dovetails.


Design or Plan used: Information copied from museum notes and books
posted in: Reader's Gallery, dovetails, shaker, walnut, chest
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Comments (1)

gmoney gmoney writes: Love this piece! Saw it first in Kassay's book and have been planning to make a copy ever since. You've done a beautiful job with this one. Perfect for "little tools." Thanks for showing us this.
Posted: 8:11 pm on March 26th

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