A DRESSER

The dresser shown in the illustration was made of quarter-sawed white oak and finished golden and waxed. The mirror is of beveled glass and the following is the stock bill:

• 1 top, 3/4 by 19-1/2 by 33 in., S-2-S.
• 4 posts, 1-3/4 by 1-3/4 by 28 in., S-4-S.
• 4 end rails, 3/4 by 2-1/4 by 17 in., S-2-S.
• 4 stiles, 3/4 by 2-1/2 by 20 in., S-2-S.
• 2 panels, 3/16 by 12 by 18 in., S-2-S.
• 3 facings, 3/4 by 2-1/4 by 29 in., S-2-S.
• 2 top frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 32 in., S-2-S.
• 2 top frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 19 in., S-2-S.
• 2 mirror supports, 1 by 2 by 33 in., S-2-S.
• 1 mirror support, 3/4 by 2-1/2 by 33 in., S-2-S.
• 1 drawer front, 3/4 by 7-1/4 by 28 in., S-2-S.
• 1 drawer front, 3/4 by 6-1/4 by 28 in., S-2-S.
• 2 drawer fronts, 3/4 by 5-1/4 by 14 in., S-2-S.
• 1 partition, 3/4 by 1 by 6 in.
• 2 mirror-frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 40 in., S-2-S.
• 2 mirror-frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 20 in., S-2-S.

The following material list may be of common stock and not quarter-sawed:

• Mirror-backing pieces equivalent to 1/4 by 18-1/2 by 36 in., S-2-S.
• 2 cleats, 3/4 by 2 by 10 in., S-4-S.
• 4 drawer-support frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 29 in.
• 7 drawer-support frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 15 in.
• Slides taken from scrap stock, 3/4 by 1 by 15 in.
• 3 back pieces, 3/4 by 2-1/4 by 28 in., S-2-S.
• 2 back pieces, 1/4 by 8 by 28 in., S-2-S.
• 8 drawer sides, 1/2 by 7-1/4 by 17 in., S-2-S.
• 2 drawer backs, 3/8 by 7 by 27 in., S-2-S.
• 2 drawer backs, 3/8 by 7 by 13 in., S-2-S.
• 2 drawer bottoms, 3/8 by 15 by 27 in., S-2-S.
• 2 drawer bottoms, 3/8 by 15 by 13 in., S-2-S.

In working up the various parts proceed in the usual manner. If not thoroughly familiar with the various tool processes involved, it will be necessary to investigate pieces of near-by furniture and to read up some good text dealing with the processes involved.

While not specified here, dovetail joints will be best for the drawers. For best dovetail joints use professional quality tools such as the Dovetail Jig with Dovetail Jig Dust Collector Combo, from Rockler Woodworking.

Dresser in Quarter-Sawed Oak

The exact size of the mirror is 18 by 36 in. and the frame should be rabbeted to correspond.

Detail of the Dresser

For a finish, a coat of paste filler colored so as to give a rich golden brown should be applied first. Allow this to harden, after rubbing and polishing it in the usual manner, then apply a thin coat of shellac. Sand this lightly when hard, and over this apply a coat of orange shellac. Over the shellac put several coats of some good rubbing wax and polish each coat well. If a striking contrast is wanted for the medullary rays of the quartering, apply a golden-oak stain first. Sand this lightly, then apply a second coat diluted one-half with solvent and sand again lightly. Apply a thin coat of shellac, then, when dry, sand lightly and apply paste, and proceed as before.