I recently decided that I'm outgrowing my costume closet and I want to build
a wardrobe. I want to build it, instead of buy it, because I want it to my
specifications without paying an arm and a leg to a cabinetry shop. (Besides
which, I'd probably drive them buggy about how specific I want things. *s*)
Unfortunately, all my previous woodworking experience has been with crafts,
props, and a few home improvement projects that were pretty straight
forward.
I'm still in the planning stages, but I do know that I want to a) build it
in two pieces so that I have plenty of storage but still can move the piece
if need be [the top would be for hanging clothes, the bottom a short chest
of drawers] and b) I do not want to use plywood [although I know it would
make the piece lighter.]
I haven't decided if I want to use pine or some harder wood. My problem is
that I know with a solid wood and the addition of all my costumes, the top
piece will weigh heavily on the bottom piece. What I need is a book that
helps one estimate how much weight one's finished piece will be able to
hold. Or, ways to strengthen a piece of furniture to allow it to hold more
weight.
Any book suggestions would be appreciated. :)
Thank you,
Jen
I don't want to damper your enthusiasm, but do you have access to a
decent tablesaw, a biscuit jointer, a sander, and clamps to make this
project? If you have to buy the tools and this is just a one time
thing, you aren't going to save money. I don't want to discourage you
if you want to start the hobby, but I got the impression that this was
just a one time build, and you were primarily motivated to save money.
Thanks for all your replies. I'm definitely going to look into all the books
suggested. :)
I realized after I sent this message that I made it sound like I wanted to
build this wardrobe just to save money. I actually have been buying tools
and such for all my various woodworking projects. I enjoy working with wood.
My prop building has included making signs, crates, tables, benches and
various unique items. (I've also helped to make additional walls in a home,
built a deck, etc...) With a prop, however, there isn't as much of a concern
about how much weight it can hold (except the benches, of course.) Having
never built a true piece of furniture I was concerned that the top piece
might weigh too heavily on the bottom piece (as it will be taller.) You've
all allayed my concerns, so now back to my plans. :)
Thanks again!
~Jen
"bf" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I don't want to damper your enthusiasm, but do you have access to a
> decent tablesaw, a biscuit jointer, a sander, and clamps to make this
> project? If you have to buy the tools and this is just a one time
> thing, you aren't going to save money. I don't want to discourage you
> if you want to start the hobby, but I got the impression that this was
> just a one time build, and you were primarily motivated to save money.
>
> Any book suggestions would be appreciated. :)
> Thank you,
> Jen
How about "Design Your Own Furnitre" by Jim Stack?
Here's a review:
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/designfurniture.htm
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"Cabinetmaking and Millwork" by John Feirer, Bennett Co. is an excellent
woodworking and cabinetry resource.
This book has been used to teach college and tech-school cabinet making for
decades. You will want a recent version. The one I have is 30 years old
but most of the jointry info is timeless. Some sections on glues, machines,
etc are a little dated. I have seen it on Amazon in recent months in a more
current edition. This book won't provide information on stress analysis.
However, a well constructed solid wood or veneer plywood cabinet will hold a
LOT of weight.
The book does provide a lot of information regarding cabinet construction
and jointry. This includes many cross section and perspective drawings,
cut-aways, joint details and detailed information regarding doors, drawers,
etc. Many local libraries probably have a copy because it is considered one
of the bibles of cabinetry. I acquired my copy for a college-level cabinet
class during the late 30's and still use it a lot.
(BTW @ 900 pages - it won't be cheap but it is useful).
RonB
Jen,
I recently borrowed a book from the libaray. It was a compilation of essays
from Fine woodworking:
http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070767_tcpg.asp
That said. Start smaller and work up to it. That is, there are a couple of
skills that you want to make sure that you can execute well before taking on
a project of this scope. Frame & panel construction, Making drawers, Mortise
& tennon joinery
Sart with a coffee table or a bedside table with a drawer would good
projects as they are a bit less ambitious yet will allow you to develop the
required skills.
Cheers,
Steve
"Jennifer Juniper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I recently decided that I'm outgrowing my costume closet and I want to
build
> a wardrobe. I want to build it, instead of buy it, because I want it to my
> specifications without paying an arm and a leg to a cabinetry shop.
(Besides
> which, I'd probably drive them buggy about how specific I want things.
*s*)
> Unfortunately, all my previous woodworking experience has been with
crafts,
> props, and a few home improvement projects that were pretty straight
> forward.
> I'm still in the planning stages, but I do know that I want to a) build it
> in two pieces so that I have plenty of storage but still can move the
piece
> if need be [the top would be for hanging clothes, the bottom a short chest
> of drawers] and b) I do not want to use plywood [although I know it would
> make the piece lighter.]
> I haven't decided if I want to use pine or some harder wood. My problem is
> that I know with a solid wood and the addition of all my costumes, the top
> piece will weigh heavily on the bottom piece. What I need is a book that
> helps one estimate how much weight one's finished piece will be able to
> hold. Or, ways to strengthen a piece of furniture to allow it to hold more
> weight.
>
> Any book suggestions would be appreciated. :)
> Thank you,
> Jen
>
>
> I'm still in the planning stages, but I do know that I want to a) build it
> in two pieces so that I have plenty of storage but still can move the
piece
> if need be [the top would be for hanging clothes, the bottom a short chest
> of drawers]
Basically an Armoire. BTW I built an armoire for my bathroom His/Hers
hampers on the bottom and towel storage up top.
It was built as two pieces, precisely for the same reason that you
suggest... it is *much* easier to move two 65 lb 3-foot objects and a 130lb
6-foot object. It's also much easier to manipulate when assembling and
finishing.
I think that you are on the right track.
Steve
Jennifer Juniper wrote:
> I recently decided that I'm outgrowing my costume closet and I want to =
build
> a wardrobe. I want to build it, instead of buy it, because I want it to=
my
> specifications without paying an arm and a leg to a cabinetry shop. (Be=
sides
> which, I'd probably drive them buggy about how specific I want things. =
*s*)
> Unfortunately, all my previous woodworking experience has been with cra=
fts,
> props, and a few home improvement projects that were pretty straight
> forward.
> I'm still in the planning stages, but I do know that I want to a) build=
it
> in two pieces so that I have plenty of storage but still can move the p=
iece
> if need be [the top would be for hanging clothes, the bottom a short ch=
est
> of drawers] and b) I do not want to use plywood [although I know it wou=
ld
> make the piece lighter.]
> I haven't decided if I want to use pine or some harder wood. My problem=
is
> that I know with a solid wood and the addition of all my costumes, the =
top
> piece will weigh heavily on the bottom piece. What I need is a book tha=
t
> helps one estimate how much weight one's finished piece will be able to=
> hold. Or, ways to strengthen a piece of furniture to allow it to hold m=
ore
> weight.
>=20
> Any book suggestions would be appreciated. :)
> Thank you,
> Jen
>=20
>=20
Lee Valley has a good selection of books -- many furniture styles.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=3D1&p=3D46105&cat=3D1,46096
And you can try http://chapters.ca and http://amazon.com for books and=20
just use he words woodwork or furniture etc.
If you are looking for a first principles design method... That's a=20
little tougher. Look up some of the posts on the golden mean and the=20
golden ratio for proportions.
This book has little on proportions. One of the few I have seen.
Box-Making Basics
Box-Making Basics - Woodworking
by David M. Freedman
If you want to make beautiful boxes, but need help to begin, here are=20
the fundamentals of design, stock preparation, construction and=20
finishing as well as the sophisticated techniques of the expert in a=20
single source.
etc.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=3D1&p=3D32858&cat=3D1,46096,460=
98&ap=3D1
--=20
Will R.
Jewel Boxes and Wood Art
http://woodwork.pmccl.com
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those=20
who have not got it.=94 George Bernard Shaw
"Jennifer Juniper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I recently decided that I'm outgrowing my costume closet and I want to
>build
> a wardrobe. I want to build it, instead of buy it, because I want it to my
> specifications without paying an arm and a leg to a cabinetry shop.
> (Besides
> which, I'd probably drive them buggy about how specific I want things.
> *s*)
> Unfortunately, all my previous woodworking experience has been with
> crafts,
> props, and a few home improvement projects that were pretty straight
> forward.
> I'm still in the planning stages, but I do know that I want to a) build it
> in two pieces so that I have plenty of storage but still can move the
> piece
> if need be [the top would be for hanging clothes, the bottom a short chest
> of drawers] and b) I do not want to use plywood [although I know it would
> make the piece lighter.]
> I haven't decided if I want to use pine or some harder wood. My problem is
> that I know with a solid wood and the addition of all my costumes, the top
> piece will weigh heavily on the bottom piece. What I need is a book that
> helps one estimate how much weight one's finished piece will be able to
> hold. Or, ways to strengthen a piece of furniture to allow it to hold more
> weight.
>
Not sure about a book. But if you build it out of solid wood, it will
support almost any other conceivable piece of furniture you could put on top
of it.
On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 18:38:11 -0700, "Jennifer Juniper" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I recently decided that I'm outgrowing my costume closet and I want to build
>a wardrobe. I want to build it, instead of buy it, because I want it to my
>specifications without paying an arm and a leg to a cabinetry shop. (Besides
>which, I'd probably drive them buggy about how specific I want things. *s*)
>Unfortunately, all my previous woodworking experience has been with crafts,
>props, and a few home improvement projects that were pretty straight
>forward.
>I'm still in the planning stages, but I do know that I want to a) build it
>in two pieces so that I have plenty of storage but still can move the piece
>if need be [the top would be for hanging clothes, the bottom a short chest
>of drawers] and b) I do not want to use plywood [although I know it would
>make the piece lighter.]
>I haven't decided if I want to use pine or some harder wood. My problem is
>that I know with a solid wood and the addition of all my costumes, the top
>piece will weigh heavily on the bottom piece. What I need is a book that
>helps one estimate how much weight one's finished piece will be able to
>hold. Or, ways to strengthen a piece of furniture to allow it to hold more
>weight.
>
>Any book suggestions would be appreciated. :)
>Thank you,
>Jen
>
Several good books:
"Furniture-Making from the Inside Out", J.D. Lawrence, ISBN 0-8069-8566-6
"Measure Twice, Cut Once", Jim Tolpin, ISBN, 1-55870-305-5
"The Woodworker's Guide to Furniture Design", Garth Graves, ISBN
1-55870-437X
Actually, using solid wood will most likely be lighter than if you use
3/4" plywood.
Finally, if you think you are going to save money doing this, you will
most likely be disappointed, particularly if you take your time into
account. However, the design will be yours (thus the books I recommended
above), as will the quality.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
"Jennifer Juniper" <[email protected]> writes:
> I recently decided that I'm outgrowing my costume closet and I want to build
> a wardrobe. I want to build it, instead of buy it, because I want it to my
> specifications without paying an arm and a leg to a cabinetry shop. (Besides
Saving money by building yourself is hard (at least if you could use a
wardrobe which some furniture seller has in stock).
[...]
> I'm still in the planning stages, but I do know that I want to a) build it
> in two pieces so that I have plenty of storage but still can move the piece
> if need be [the top would be for hanging clothes, the bottom a short chest
Think "knock down". If you dissaseble the piece for transport that's
probably even easier to handle.
> of drawers] and b) I do not want to use plywood [although I know it would
> make the piece lighter.]
Au contraire! Solid wood is about as light as you can be, if you
don't consider hollow boxes of very thin plywood with corrugated
cardboard filling (aka "interior doors").
> I haven't decided if I want to use pine or some harder wood. My problem is
Pine is less heavy than a harder wood, and easier to work (in some
aspects, in others more difficult)
--
Dr. Juergen Hannappel http://lisa2.physik.uni-bonn.de/~hannappe
mailto:[email protected] Phone: +49 228 73 2447 FAX ... 7869
Physikalisches Institut der Uni Bonn Nussallee 12, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
CERN: Phone: +412276 76461 Fax: ..77930 Bat. 892-R-A13 CH-1211 Geneve 23