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The Editors Mailbox

Working with reclaimed lumber, part 2

Matthew Kenney, senior editor

12 users recommend

Beauty with a few holes. I love the shimmer of the pine I used for the tray, even with the nail holes visible. (I think that they add some charm.)

Photo: Matt Kenney

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Last week, I wrote about some studs that I salvaged from my house and my plan to use them in a box that I'm making for my mom. Over the holiday weekend, I was able to get the box carcass together and build the first tray. I've got two more small trays to build and then I'll be done. The first tray is made from yet another salvaged stud. Once I cleaned it up, I was amazed at the luster of the wood. I have never seen pine with so much chatoyance. It is amazing. And thank goodness for sharp handplanes. Sandpaper would never give it the luster my No. 4 smoother did.

The video below shows a feature I am truly proud of: the tray has a piston fit. It gently floats down into the box, and pushes a cool breaze or air up around its sides. And again, thank goodness for handplanes (the No. 4 in particular). Handplaning let me take off wispy shavings until the fit was just right.

Read Part III

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Comments (3)

MKenney writes: flairwoodworks:

A piston fit drawer shouldn't be any less durable than one that fits less well. However, you should think carefully about the appeal of a piece a furniture whose main attraction is a air pressure gauge. It might be too much of a novelty.
Posted: 11:25 am on October 28th

bricofleur writes: Nice box and nice 'refreshing' fit!

I made a portable dovetail jig station featuring two small drawers. Since I could'nt install latches and knobs because they would interfer with workpieces, I tried a friction fit to hold the drawers closed. Success! When moving the portable station around, the drawers stay well nested. To open the drawers, I drilled a small hole from hehind so I can slip a finger in to start opening the drawers. For a good friction fit, to me material choice and very precise cuts are the key.

Best,

Serge

http://www.atelierdubricoleur.spaces.live.com
Posted: 12:10 pm on October 22nd

flairwoodworks writes: Well done Matt! I've been playing with the idea of making a piston-fit drawer and some air-pressure float gauge that reads when the drawer is opened. Of course, it would serve no practical function but would be a WOW factor. I wonder if it's amusing qualities would ultimately shorten the life of the drawer though...
Posted: 7:09 pm on October 21st

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