Diy Furniture
An oak-bound cedar chest
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This diy furniture cedar chest for storing unused bedding or furs is not a
difficult thing to make and when made, the hard oak binding takes the wear and
protects the softer cedar so that the chest ought to serve several generations.
Order the stock as follows:
CEDAR
* 2 top and bottom pieces, 7/8 by 16-1/2 by 34-1/2 in., S-2-S.
* 2 sides, 7/8 by 18-7/8 by 34-1/2 in., S-2-S.
* 2 ends, 7/8 by 18-7/8 by 14-3/4 in., S-2-S.
OAK
* 2 overhanging top pieces, 1 by 1 by 36-1/2 in., S-4-S.
* 2 overhanging top pieces, 1 by 1 by 18-1/2 in., S-4-S.
* 2 lock and hinge rails, 1 by 2-1/2 by 36-1/2 in., S-2-S.
* 2 lock and hinge rails, 1 by 2-1/2 by 18-1/2 in., S-2-S.
* 2 base pieces, 1 by 3-1/4 by 36-1/2 in., S-2-S.
* 2 base pieces, 1 by 3-1/4 by 18-1/2 in., S-2-S.

Specify thoroughly seasoned Tennessee red cedar and plain sawed white oak and
have the different pieces mill-planed and sandpapered as indicated in the stock-bill.
This bill allows 1/2 in. extra on the length and the width of each piece for
"squaring up" of all pieces except those marked to be surfaced on
four sides.
Begin this diy furniture plan by squaring the sides and
ends to size. Probably the best joint for the corners is the dovetail.
If the worker is not experienced in woodworking, some of the more simple
joints will do.
It will be noted that the drawing and stock-bill call for the simplest
form of joint, that in which the sides of the chest lap over the end.
For the dovetail joint it will be necessary to add 2 in. more to the length
of the end pieces, making them 16-3/4 in. each in the rough.
Having got the sides and ends ready, of this diy furniture plan, fasten them
together. The perspective shows the sides fastened to the ends with ornamental
headed nails. Common nails are first used, being equally spaced, and the ornamental
heads are afterwards placed so as to cover their heads.
Next square the bottom and nail it to the parts just assembled. Square the
top to the same size.
The base stuff is squared on one edge only. The second edge—the upper
one—is to be beveled or sloped 1/8 in. to facilitate dusting and for appearance
sake. Fit these base pieces to place, mitering the joints. Before fastening
the parts to the chest proper, gauge a line 3/4 in. from the lower edge and
to a point 4-1/2 in. from each end, cut out to this line and shape the base
as shown in the drawing. Use finishing nails for fastening the base to the chest.
The heads, of the diy furniture plan, should be "set" so they may
be covered later with a putty colored to match the finish.
In a similar manner plane up, cut and fit the back and hinge rails. These rails
should be kept a "scant" 1/8 in. below the top edges of the chest
proper. The overhang of the lid fits down over in such a way as to form a dust-proof
joint between lid and chest proper.
The overhang of the lid of 1 in. by 1-in. stock may next be mitered, fitted
and nailed to the lid. Thoroughly sandpaper all parts not so treated and finish
as follows: Put on all the oak pieces, two coats of natural paste filler. This
is best done before they are fastened in place. Directions will be found on
the cans in which the filler is kept.
The red of the cedar may be heightened by applying a mahogany stain made of
Bismark brown aniline and boiling water, in the proportion of 3 qt. of water
to 1 oz. of aniline. If applied hot the stain will enter the wood better. When
dry, sandpaper lightly with No. 00 paper, both this and the oak-filled pieces.
Fasten the oak pieces in place and give the whole exterior a very thin coat
of shellac. After this has hardened, apply two coats of wax. Wax comes in paste
form and is to be applied with a cloth very sparingly. Allow it to stand five
or ten minutes then rub briskly with a soft dry cloth to polish. The first coat
of the diy furniture plan is allowed to stand 24 hours before the second is
applied in a similar manner.
Another finish, for this diy furniture plan known as an egg-shell gloss shellac
finish, is obtained by omitting the wax and instead applying from two to five
more coats of shellac. Allow each coat 24 hours in which to harden, and rub
each hardened coat to a smooth finish, using curled hair, or fine steel wool,
or fine oiled sandpaper, before applying the next.

The metal reinforcements for the corners can be bought at a hardware store,
as can the lock, hinges, and handles. These parts are applied in the usual manner—butt
hinges being used.
If well made, the chest is practically airtight. The interior is all of red
cedar, while the effect of the exterior in combining the light oak and the red
cedar is striking.
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