Woodworker: Frank Woolley

Woolley estimates he invested more than 1,500 hours making this bombé chest of drawers. About 570 hours went into the actual construction and 180 hours into the finishing. He spent the rest of the time researching the design, learning to make curved dovetails, and testing finishes. The primary wood is mahogany, with white pine, yellow poplar, and soft maple used for the interior parts. The top is finished with alkyd varnish and aniline dyes; the carving and moldings are finished with gel stain, and the rest of the surfaces are finished with shellac.

From Fine Woodworking #198

Launch Gallery