Woodworker: Martin J. Milkovits

In building this reproduction William and Mary tall chest, Milkovits discovered new uses for his outdoor grill. Not knowing how to shape the applied beading on the lower case, Milkovits employed an “act of sheer desperation.” He soaked the beads in water, clamped them to forms, then baked them in his grill for a few hours. “It ruined the pads on the clamps, but it worked,” he said. The carcase is walnut, with maple burl veneer on the drawer fronts and lower case front. The legs and stretchers are ebonized maple. Milkovits finished the case sides and top with Minwax Antique Oil and wax. For contrast, he used shellac on the drawer fronts and legs.

Photo: Martin J. Milkovits