I am just finishing up this chest, done from a plan shown in Popular Mechanics a few years ago. I used cherry throughout, and all of it came from leftover stuff I had in the shop.
Now I want to make another copy, and will have to buy the lumber. The magazine article shows the chest as made in the PM shop, all in mahogany. Big cost.
What would be the downside of doing it in CVG doug fir? We’ve few places to get retail hardwood, but a local lumberyard has a great selection in “CVG” (read: clear, quartersawn) doug fir.
Drawerbox sides, backs will be maple.
Additionally, I am thinking of making the stick parts (1/2″ x 5/16″) that are the side-hung drawer runners, not of wood, but of UHMW plastic. What do you think about that?
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No downside to the Doug fir. Seems like an ideal choice. Reasonably hard and I love the look when it is QS.
I used UHMW for drawer runners for the first time on the last cabinet I made. I've got to say that it wasn't worth the added expense. The drawers didn't seem to run any smoother than hardwood runners. Perhaps in the long run it would mean not having to account for slop in the drawers due to wear, but that may be thirty years or more down the road and it is really not that big of a deal to repair anyway.
http://www.ithacawoodworker.com
Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) Douglas Fir is a wonderful if you have a source for it.
I made an Inboard (small block Chevy) Cabin Crusier from it long ago. Late 1960.. Plans from Popular Mechanics as I recall. I saw it several years ago and it is still in the water AND still floats!
As I remember, it stained like pine (I do not think of it like Pine) but sort of nice because of no wild grain to deal with.
At one time I made custom doors for very old houses. If I saw a 'job' where the doors were old Douglas Fir... Took that job in a heartbeat! Hardly anything that was not repairable!
I'd bet there are many thousands of old growth logs at the bottom of some river or lake that are as good at new! Maybe even better!
If done right the fir can look great.
But always remeber when calculating in the cost of a project it's life time. After you've had that piece for 20 years will you be happier that you saved $100 on lumber or will you be happier if it's made from mahogany.
And after 100 years will your grand children be happier you saved $100 on lumber or will you be happier if it's made from mahogany.
and in 200 years will your great great grand children... well you know the rest.
There's alot more to the cost of a piece than the amount of $$$ in your pocket.
There's alot more to the cost of a piece than the amount of $$$ in your pocket.
Cannot argue that..
But how do you pay for something in real money at the time without he funds?
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