A little over 7 1/2 months in the making and is my most labor intensive project as a weekend woodworking warrior. This is my labor of love as my Neader Haven has 48 drawers that are all hand cut dovetails that are true 1/2 blinds. Carcasses are cherry ply, cherry half lapped face frames and solid cherry doors and panels. This project has taken enough time that the first cherry used is already changing color. Over time the rest should catch up.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Ridgid R4331 Planer
Priced nearly $300 less than the DeWalt 735X, the Ridgid R4331 is an excellent value. Its three-knife cutterhead left wonderfully clean surfaces on plainsawn white oak and white pine. It did not perform nearly as well on curly maple as the 735X, but it created less tearout than all but one of the other machines (the DeWalt 734 was its equal). Knife changes were quick and easy with the provided T-handle wrench. Dust collection was good, assisted by an internal fan. The 2-1/2-in.-dia. port on the outfeed side of the machine is directed to the side, so the hose is out of the way. The planer’s top is flat and provides a good surface for holding stock between passes.
To create a quick, precise handsaw for smaller joinery cuts, Jeske took a thin, razor-sharp, Japanese-style blade and tensioned it in a frame made of carbon fiber and aluminum, adding a traditional wood handle.
While all five of the smaller units will collect chips efficiently when deployed properly, the 3/4-hp Rockler was just a bit more powerful in our suction test. Bag changes were very easy too, thanks to a lip on the lower edge of the canister, which holds the bag in place while you operate the clamp. The Rockler 650 also hangs very solidly on its bracket, which helps when you turn the filter-cleaning crank.
The gauge has a quick and easy method for fitting the guide bar precisely to your tablesaw’s miter slot. This means the gauge can be recalibrated if necessary for continued accuracy. The face of the protractor head can be adjusted square to the table and also square to the guide bar. This ensures accurate cuts, and it, too, can be readjusted if the need arises. The protractor head has stainless-steel knobs and fittings and high-contrast, easy-to-read white numbers and increments.
Gary has got a winner. I thought I was looking at a high end kitchen or someone's study. Talk about a place for everything and everything in it's place.
Not only has the cherry changed color, but it has tripled in cost since it was purchased. Unbelieveably beautiful. If I did this in my shop, my wife would want a new cherry kitchen!
Absolutely outstanding labor of love. You hve about 1/4 as many hand-cut DT's as I have done in 38 years in this project. When I first saw this project elsewhere.. my first thought was it was a custom kitchen project. When I saw that it was for a shop I was somewhat shocked.
The fact you did most with hand-tools makes the build even more impressive. And impressive is just one of many choice adjectives that could describe it as I'm not sure there are enough for this build.
Truly inspirational. It was exciting watching the progress. The finished product is a great blend of function and beauty and I'm glad you took the time and effort to share this with us.
Fine hand tools deserve a fine place to house them and Gary has built such a place. The tool cabinets are elegant, functional and beautiful. I wish they were in my shop.
Gary's work is a true inspiration to me. I've often thought that many of us, including me, work in shops with manufactured or "hand-me-down" cabinets shop furniture while we make things from wood for our homes or other people Wouldn't it be nice if we took time to make appropriate cabinets that displayed our finest craftsmanship for our shops. That's exactly what Gary has done. His work and craftsmanship are exquisite and certainly inspiring. While my skill level is not even close to his, some day I'd love to make some beautiful cabinets for my new workshop as well. Gary, thanks for sharing your work and inspiring me to build a better shop.
Should be titled "If your going to do something, do it Right!" What an accomplishment. Did I miss something, a build on SMS? Cabinets wrapping around corner make the most of a possibly little-used corner, I am looking at a corner in my shop right now. Gary's work is an inspiration.
Gary,
Your work is outstanding and IMHO should have got the prize.
Attention to detail, ergonomics, lumber and finish....A1.
Anyone would be proud to have this in their shop.
I always believe that a well planned out and tasty workshop refects the workmanship that is carried out in there .I think this is a fine example of true workmanship and skill .This has inspired my to finally make the effort time wise and do up my own work shop .Always too busy doing other peolpes projects .Fantastic work
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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Comments
Love this!! Would enjoy seening more photos of shop and cabinets/drawers to see how all is organized.
Thanks for sharing
TH
Gary has got a winner. I thought I was looking at a high end kitchen or someone's study. Talk about a place for everything and everything in it's place.
Wow! What a work to inspire your future projects. I don't think even the Roycrofter workshops were this inspirational.
Not only has the cherry changed color, but it has tripled in cost since it was purchased. Unbelieveably beautiful. If I did this in my shop, my wife would want a new cherry kitchen!
Absolutely outstanding labor of love. You hve about 1/4 as many hand-cut DT's as I have done in 38 years in this project. When I first saw this project elsewhere.. my first thought was it was a custom kitchen project. When I saw that it was for a shop I was somewhat shocked.
The fact you did most with hand-tools makes the build even more impressive. And impressive is just one of many choice adjectives that could describe it as I'm not sure there are enough for this build.
Sarge.. john thompson
outstanding work.
I saw Gary's post when he finished the project. This is a stunning set of shop cabinets. I just hope I have time to do half as good a job some day.
I watched the build progress on SMC and couldn't believe the work Gary was putting into shop cabinets. The end result is amazing!
Truly inspirational. It was exciting watching the progress. The finished product is a great blend of function and beauty and I'm glad you took the time and effort to share this with us.
Excellent design and execution. Nice tools too, you made me drool on my keyboard.
Fine hand tools deserve a fine place to house them and Gary has built such a place. The tool cabinets are elegant, functional and beautiful. I wish they were in my shop.
Cody Colston
Excellent job, Gary and thanks for the help with the dovetails.
Gary, your work is astounding!
Bruce P.
Simply Amazing!!!
That is Amazing!
Not only is your set up very functional, it is a true work of art.
-Rob
Gary's work is a true inspiration to me. I've often thought that many of us, including me, work in shops with manufactured or "hand-me-down" cabinets shop furniture while we make things from wood for our homes or other people Wouldn't it be nice if we took time to make appropriate cabinets that displayed our finest craftsmanship for our shops. That's exactly what Gary has done. His work and craftsmanship are exquisite and certainly inspiring. While my skill level is not even close to his, some day I'd love to make some beautiful cabinets for my new workshop as well. Gary, thanks for sharing your work and inspiring me to build a better shop.
Amazing
Amazing those dovetails
Should be titled "If your going to do something, do it Right!" What an accomplishment. Did I miss something, a build on SMS? Cabinets wrapping around corner make the most of a possibly little-used corner, I am looking at a corner in my shop right now. Gary's work is an inspiration.
Glad i did not send mine in.
Gary,
Your work is outstanding and IMHO should have got the prize.
Attention to detail, ergonomics, lumber and finish....A1.
Anyone would be proud to have this in their shop.
I always believe that a well planned out and tasty workshop refects the workmanship that is carried out in there .I think this is a fine example of true workmanship and skill .This has inspired my to finally make the effort time wise and do up my own work shop .Always too busy doing other peolpes projects .Fantastic work
Good lord. That is spectacular. It would take me the rest of my life to cut that many dove tails.
Well done.
Doug
AMAZING,AMAZING,AMAZING!!!
I love it, When I grow up(i'm a 14 year old woodworker)I want my future shop to have a set like these.
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