Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Jun 27, 2007 12:35am | #1

   Les,

   Lining just the bottom will be sufficient, aroma-wise.  I don't know how lining the whole interior can make too strong a smell though, the fumes fill the interior when the lid's closed anyway.  But the customer is always right, and lining just the bottom is less work than lining the whole thing.

   Ray

2. 
   PheasantHunter | Jun 27, 2007 04:10am | #2

   Having built half a dozen chests, I find that just lining the bottom works just fine.  Less work, less cost, plenty of aroma.  Just my two cents worth.

3. 
   Knotscott | Jun 27, 2007 07:06pm | #3

   Thanks for the post Les...that answers my question of how much to use! 

4. 
   red2erni | Jun 27, 2007 08:37pm | #4

   LesT,

   I'm planting fragrant cedar trees around my house in Portola Valley Calif. and I still can't get enough cedar smell. My dad used to tell me stories about cutting cedar fence posts from old first growth Oregon cedar stumps to make money when he was a kid during the depression, so I guess that might be where I got my preference for cedar.

   Never the less, unless the cedar is treated with cedar oil, the smell and also the insect prevention factor will go down over time. It doesn't take much to keep moths away, but to my nose, no amount of cedar is as bad as even a small amount of para-dichloro benzene, which is the stuff in 'moth balls'. Since the cedar small dissipates in air or after wearing a garment, but even after dry cleaning the moth ball smell can hang on.

   red

5. 
   HWG | Jun 27, 2007 09:07pm | #5

   Les,

   I doubt that building the entire thing of cedar will yield too much aroma, but doing just the bottom will likely be adequate, especially since your client mentioned it.  No matter which you chose the aroma will be strong at first but then decline as the wood ages and darkens.  Be sure to point out to them that if they are seeking the aroma they will likely want to give the raw cedar a bit of sanding periodically to expose new wood (and aroma) to the air.  I expect that the moth repelling properties of cedar exist mostly in our head, but count me in as one of those that loves the smell.  It reminds me of the hand carved fishing plugs that I made from old fence posts as a kid.  Those fence posts would last forever!

   Woody

6. 
   Wingdoctor | Jun 28, 2007 01:22am | #6

   I worked for Lane Furniture for several years, maker of cedar chests, in Altivasta, VA. In order for a chest to be called a "Cedar" chest it had to have, I think I remember the correct amount, 75% cedar of the total. Now Lane made the chests of standard furniture construction with a particle board core, popular cross banding, hardwood rims, hardwood face veneer and cedar interior veneer. To keep the correct percentage of cedar to call it cedar the particle board for the chests was made on site from cedar scraps and off-cuts. Lane's particle board was called "Lanewood" and was produced on site in both normal hardwood scrap variety and also in cedar. The amount of cedar will not be a harm, but having the contents surrounded by cedar on all sides will protect better.

1. 
   LesT | Jun 28, 2007 03:38am | #7

   Thanks to all who have responded. I now can discuss the options with the client in a more informed manner. Also thanks for the interesting tidbits of info.

    

   Les

1. 
   Woodchuck | Jun 28, 2007 06:57pm | #8

   Les,

   I love the smell of cedar, but neither cedar nor moth balls repel the insects that eat our clothes. It is not moths, but the larvae of a beetle.

   Will

   Edited 6/28/2007 11:59 am ET by Woodchuck

1. 
   joinerswork | Jun 29, 2007 05:58pm | #10

   Woodchuck,

   Some say it is a myth, (a myth is an unmarried moth with a lisp), however, neither moths nor their larva, eat clothing.  They only eat holes. ;-P))

   Ray

1. 
   Woodchuck | Jun 29, 2007 06:37pm | #11

   Hey Ray,

   That is good.  "People" always blame the moth that is fling around the house for the holes in their clothes, but it is a beatle that we do not see often.

   The best way to protect your clothes is to clean them before storage, it is the oils and salts that attract the critters.

   Will

7. 
   dull tool | Jun 28, 2007 11:01pm | #9

   LES, HERE IS A 100 PERCENT CEDAR CHEST.
   Frame and panel construction - even the hinges are made of cedar.

   
8. 
   DHAM | Jul 05, 2007 08:32pm | #12

   I make the chest bottoms out of eastern red cedar, and I add a sliding tray made out of cedar.  Instead of lining the bottom, why not make the botton out of cedar if you have a supply?