An Heirloom Chest

The call came. ‘Free wood, a tree from our block that was sawn. Come and collect it – urgently.’

Well I guess I can use it, one day. Loaded the wood and left, but feeling a bit unsure. Then lost a few boards on the freeway just after the on ramp. By the time the wood was stacked I was exhausted.

Then the next call comes. Can I make a piece from this wood, something like an existing family heirloom – a blanket box, in only fair condition, made with solid and plywood. With no orders in the book I agree to a price and somehow the free wood is now only almost free. I am in too deep now though.

A solid structure

For me, a piece like this to be made in solid wood is a complex cabinet build.

It has frame and panel construction for the carcase and a breadboarded top. In fact there are 46 individual mortise and tenons. The panels are housed in a groove, so