Mike's fund raising project drawer front build day

[Phil S]

Mike Davis started a great fund raising idea a while back. Now He and Bill Clemmons are building a chest and they need drawer fronts. As of last count, they still needed about 12. I am signed up to make one and may make more. I am doing an intarsia piece of the First Flight at Kitty Hawk.

I would like to open my shop to other members who would like to give this a try. I have plenty of wood and more than enough tools. Hopefully we could put a few or more together and Mike and Bill could pick from the lot. The month of March will be difficult for me but April and May are quite possible.

Let me know if you have an interest

phil

[sawduster]

I'm signed up for one. can someone remind me of the dimensions and particulars ? I think that info was shared before but I can't seem to locate it

[Mike Davis]

We decided all the faces will be 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches exactly and as thick as needs be. In the case of a deep shadow box the drawer can be shortened to accommodate the depth of the face. Let's say minimum thickness 3/4 inch. Maximum 2 inches.

any material, style and technique you like. Try to relate to North Carolina if possible.

[ScottM]

We decided all the faces will be 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches exactly and as thick as needs be. In the case of a deep shadow box the drawer can be shortened to accommodate the depth of the face. Let's say minimum thickness 3/4 inch. Maximum 2 inches.

any material, style and technique you like. Try to relate to North Carolina if possible.

Mike is there a "preferred wood" to use for the face or will this be a chest of many colors?

[Mike Davis]

Since we couldn't agree on a theme or color scheme it will be up to the individual to chose wood species, color, and every detail except the size. Hopefully we can arrange them in a pleasing configuration.

i would like everyone to sign your work on the top edge so that when the drawer is opened you're name will be visible. It can be carved, wood burned, sharpie marker, pencil, inlaid, however you normally sign.

[manfre]

When is the deadline for having the drawer faces completed? Does "every detail except the size" include the hardware or should we plan to use a specific pull/knob?

[Bill Clemmons]

Mike is there a "preferred wood" to use for the face or will this be a chest of many colors?

Scott, use whatever wood, or woods, give your drawer front the best look. Just for reference, the rest of the chest is Walnut and I'm putting on Amber Shellac to give it a dark brown, w/ just a hint of orange, appearance. The goal is for the case to look nice without distracting from the multiple drawer fronts. The drawer fronts are the star of the show.

When is the deadline for having the drawer faces completed? Does "every detail except the size" include the hardware or should we plan to use a specific pull/knob?

Manfre, given the pace I'm on right now building the case, I would guess we will start looking for drawer fronts around late April, and on into the summer. Once we have 24 drawer fronts ready to go, Mike and I will lay them all out and try to arrange them in some order that makes sense (to us, at least ). The good news is that all the drawers are interchangeable, so whoever buys this piece will be able to rearrange them in any sequence they like. And then rearrange them again next month, and then . . . . You get the point.

Also, the pull/knob is up to you. I don't think there is any way we could use a standard pull/knob that would look appropriate w/ that many different fronts. So think about the pull/knob as part of your design.

To everyone who is building a drawer front: If you plan on making your front thicker than 3/4", could you please let us know soon. Tim Sherwood will be building the drawer boxes, and he will need to know how many he needs to make at less than the standard depth.

Bill

[KenOfCary]

I was going through my wood rack today pulling what might be suitably sized pieces of interesting wood. I might try to finish a low relief carving. Trying to think of an appropriate theme or picture to duplicate. Phil's idea of the Kitty Hawk is good but I don't want to be too much of a copy-cat. I'll have to look around in magazines and the web for something interesting and not too challenging for a beginning carver.

Hopefully I can get something done by the picnic.

- Ken.

[Mike Davis]

My original idea was for everyone to do the same thing but each in a different way. Some folks have a hard time understanding that every one will look very different but the theme will pull the whole thing together.

we'll see how this works out and maybe I can do a better job of explaining or illustrating how my original idea would work on the next one.

i hope we can make this a big success and make one every year.

[KenOfCary]

So are you suggesting I do copy Phil's idea only in a different media. Low relief carving rather than Intarsia.

I could imagine lots of variations on a Kitty Hawk theme.

- Ken.

[Mike Davis]

Yes, exactly!

[Phil S]

Mike , Are these drawers going to be inset? I am trying to figure out what sort of pull I could use

[Mike Davis]

Yes, the face will be flush with the cabinet.

[BKind2Anmls]

I know I'm late to the party but with 24 drawer fronts seems tailor-made for the 12 months of the year. Each one could be completely different but still have a unifying theme.

[Mike Davis]

That's a great idea for next time.

This one should be related to North Carolina.

Yes, I know we could do the 12 months of North Carolina but a lot of folks already have plans for this time.