Narrow Wall Cabinet

JasonT, member

8 users recommend

Cabinet Drawers

Cabinet Front

Cabinet Interior

Top Joinery Detail

Shelf Support Detail

Cabinet Drawers

Add Comment
Print

This cabinet is made from chechen, also known as carribean rosewood though it is not a true rosewood.  I made the drawers from cocobolo, cherry and the bottoms out of a piece of pistachio I had.  Finished with linseed oil and wax.

The door is placed using knife hinges.  I chose not to put a handle on the door in case it is installed in a narrow hallway.  Closing mechanism is a double ball catch at the top.  There is a recessed french cleat in the back to mount the cabinet flush to the wall.  The door is joined via bridal joints and the carcase and drawers are dovetailed.  I used drawer slips for the drawer bottoms.

I did not use a jig to make the shelf supports and it ended up being easier to make all the supports for the support positions.

I really like chechen, but it is extremely difficult to work

Add Comment Print

Hardware Alphabet Picture Frames

Back to List

Shaker Style Hallway Table

Comments (6)

JasonT writes: Thanks for your comments. I think what you are referring to is pretty much done with a jig made by incra or leigh. I did these dovetails by hand and I have only done through and half blind dovetails myself.

On this piece specifically, the half blind dovetails were easier to make. Using a softer wood (primavera in this case) that allows for compression of the wood fibers is much more fogiving than putting two pieces of very hard material together like the through dovetails on this carcase construction.

I was too confident when I put those through dovetails together and did not even dry fit them. It was my first time doing dovetails with rock hard wood. I ended up using a ball peen hammer to drive those dovetails home and sanded the marks off later.

I think this is why when you see all the demonstrations by master craftsmen they always seem to use pine or poplar sides...I'd like to see one of those masters do the same thing with Chechen!
Posted: 12:42 pm on July 22nd

Robertkroll writes: Jason, I really like your work. I was searching for good looking blind dovetails and these are some of the best. I wonder if you know how to make double blind dovetails, the kind where each tail is outlined in a contrasting color of wood? I haven't been able to find anyone who knows how these are done.

Again, great work.
Posted: 6:37 pm on December 5th

JasonT writes: Thanks for your comment Samwise :-) It will be a gift for my sister's wedding. Hopefully she will think the same. i checked out your efforts and you have some impressive pieces yourself!
Posted: 7:09 pm on September 11th

Jurgen01 writes: This is so cool. The overall design, the choice of materials and the execution are all terrific. It looks like it was built by a Krenov-trained Hobbit. Great piece!
Posted: 5:32 pm on September 11th

JasonT writes: Thanks for your comment. Yes the door is chechen too, but the panel is slightly figured and the rails and styles are quasi-quartersawn.

If you look at the carcase with the door open and keep your eye away from the door you will see it is fairly straight, but that door will play mind games with you!

I probably should have the left style facing inward on the grain direction, but the mistake grows on you....I think it draws you to open it up.
Posted: 6:32 am on September 11th

woodcheese writes: I like this piece! Not familiar with chechen though - is that used for both the carcase and the door - perhaps looks a bit different thru finishing or board selection? Am I right in seeing that the cabinet arches to the left as it rises up? If so, I like that as well.
Posted: 12:13 am on September 11th

You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.