I’m about to start on my first large case piece. It’s a storage/display cabinet for SWMBO’s collection of Spode china. (At last count there was enough Spode for 24 place settings, all of it blue & white) The idea is to display about 12 items at a time – with the pattern changing with the seasons, or some other frequency.
Attached is the design I’m thinking of. 48in wide to fit an existing wall in the kitchen, 97-1/2 in high to match the height of the kitchen cabinets. All up it will be about 16in deep. The cabinet would be constructed in two assemblies, the shallow upper display section with glass shelves, a framed glass door and glass sides, the back would most probably be ply. The lower section is for storage with a 3in face frame, raised panel doors and a shelf at mid height. I’m thinking of an oil finish.
For the lower carcass I’m thinking solid timber (1in thick manufactured QS pine panel) with half blind dovetails top and bottom. The shelf would be supported on a cleat. The carcass will be stained to match the stiles.
For the upper display case, I’m thinking maybe Rock or white Maple (Acer saccharum, Jon) the stiles will be about 2 x 1 and morticed into the work surface and case top. The architrave will be more interesting than the triangle I’ve shown in the sketch. I’m guessing that the case will have to be built on it’s back and glazed once finished.
I’m particularly looking for feedback on the design of the feet and construction tips. Also any with strong opinions on whether a piece like this should or should not have drawers please feel free to “have a go”
Ian
The design sketch was knocked up in Corel Draw
Replies
sounds good except I would suggest using a finish besides oil, simply due to how well it might stand up in a kitchen.
Also, why choose Pine? if it matches the current kitchen cabinets I can understand your choice, otherwise I find for the most part pine is unsuitable for cabinetry for a variety of reason. I personally don't like the look of pine at all, its very soft to tend to show its age in a hurry, and I find it a pain to work with. if you are planning to paint the piece I would suggest poplar instead of pine.
The design sounds great though, draw it out to scale and see what you think, if you and the client are pleased with it, then that's what your after.
also, be sure to post pictures when your done so we can all oogle it!
Custom Cabinetry and Furniture
http://www.BartlettWoodworking.com
I was thinking pine because it is much easier to work than a typical Australian hardwood and I can get pre-made panels wide enough for the project. However, I'm not firmly attached to this choice and may go all Rock Maple.
Here is the sketch I forgot to attach to my initial post
Ian
hi Ian
I would suggest going with hard maple, or even soft maple if you can get it, especially if you're going to be cutting the dovetails by hand. but be sure to adjust the price accordingly of course.
I couldn't get the sketch to open up unfortunately.
Custom Cabinetry and Furniture
http://www.BartlettWoodworking.com
strange, I can't get the sketch to open either. I wont try to reatach it.
Looks like it'll be hard maple as the local suppliers don't list soft maple.
thanks again for your advice
Ian
Ian,
With an oil finish, the top in maple and the bottom in pine will look entirely different. The finished assembly will look like two pieces of furniture stacked on top of each other, rather than one large piece. Why two different woods?
John W.
John
thanks for the feedback
one reason for pine (it's pinus radiata by the way, you may know it as Monterey Pine) is that it's much easier to work than Jarrah – the timber used on the last large project. Another is that I can get 2ft wide pre-made panels made of edge jointed QS strips, thus saving considerable time and effort when making the lower case. However, if I can't achieve a decent colour match to Rock Maple then I'll be back to making my own panels for the lower section in which case it'd all be Rock Maple.
I'm thinking oil finish because I could do it myself. I don't have the facilities or equipment to apply a spray finish.
Ian
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