FINE WOODWORKING’S BUILDING FURNITURE 2007 THE BEST OF furniturebuilding How to make: Bookcases • Tables • Chairs Cabinets • Chests • Bureaus Beds • Sideboards $8.99/Canada $9.99 A Taunton Publication Display until Oct. 31, 2007 www.finewoodworking.com FWSIP08BF_FCf.indd 1 6/14/07 5:16:41 PM FW192aADp2.indd 6/5/07 2:18:20 PM pg 2 - (Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK) FW192aADp3.indd 6/5/07 2:19:37 PM pg 3 - (Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK) THE LEFT-TILT CONTRACTOR’S SAW. PERFECTED. It should come as no surprise that DELTA® took the time to introduce left-tilt Contractor’s Saws® the right way. After all, DELTA invented the Contractor’s Saw category. And once you try a DELTA, there’s no going back. Besides a left-tilt blade and powerful 1-1/2 HP motor, you also have a choice of three fence systems including a Biesemeyer® or DELTA® UNIFENCE.® You even get maximum mobility with a newly designed base. Plus, its new collection tray captures 80 - 90% of the dust. So find perfection. Visit deltamachinery.com/contractor for more details, or to join our DELTA Owners Group. LEFT-TILT BLADE INTEGRATED DUST PORT MOBILE BASE THE BESTw OF furniturebuilding contents Bookshelves Tables Beds 18 Three Bookcases 30 Table Design 48 Anatomy of a Bed From simple to elegant, A well-proportioned table Construction details that work three approaches to building offers both comfort and style with almost any design a home for your books BY GRAHAM BLACKBURN BY JEFF MILLER BY PHILIP C. LOWE 34 Strong Joints Chairs 24 Sturdy Shelves Build sturdier tables How to build shelves by beefing up the basic that won’t wilt under load mortise and tenon 54 Chairmaking Basics BY JEFF MILLER BY GARRETT HACK The right approach combines efficiency, comfort, 38 Attaching Tabletops strength, and beauty BY KEVIN RODEL Four ways to secure a top to its base BY MARIO RODRIGUEZ Cabinets 42 Tables With Drawers 62 Chest of Drawers Build tables with Build a strong case and then one or more drawers change details to suit the style to last for generations BY WILL NEPTUNE BY WILL NEPTUNE 70 Classic Sideboard Common-sense approach to joinery in complex cabinets BY WILL NEPTUNE DESIGNING 78 DRAWERS Cover photo: Thomas McKenna BED 48 BASICS CHEST OF 62 DRAWERS 88 Side-Hung Drawers Drawer Slides No-nonsense approach 78 Illustrated Guide keeps drawers running to Drawers straight and smooth From simple to refined, B Y MARK EDMUNDSON drawer options for the furniture maker BY MATTHEW TEAGUE Doors 82 Dovetailed Drawer 94 Doors for Furniture Departments An illustrated guide Learn to build traditional 6 Editor’s Letter drawers that stand to door construction the test of time BY GRAHAM BLACKBURN 8 Quick Tips BY JANET A. COLLINS ■ Jig makes it easier 99 Handmade Catches to cut keys in miters ■ Hold a drawer securely and Latches for planing Four elegant ways ■ Improved tabletop button to keep doors in place 14 Getting Started BY ANDY RAE, CHRISTIAN Managing moisture BECKSVOORT, DOUG NOYES, AND MICHAEL PEKOVICH 112 Q&A ■ Basics of breadboard-end 104 Installing construction Butt Hinges ■ How to size and space dovetails Traditional hinge ■ Securing a wide table apron will look and work great for decades BY GARRETT HACK Pp STURDY FineWoodworking.com 24 SHELVES editor’s letter Building Furniture ISSUE EDITOR DISCOVER THE JOY Thomas McKenna ISSUE ART DIRECTOR OF FURNITURE MAKING Michael Pekovich CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITOR When I started at Fine Woodworking magazine 10 Katy Zirwes Scott years ago, I had well-honed editing skills but only CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Susan Lampe-Wilson basic woodworking knowledge. Back then, I was making very simple projects, things I needed to Fine Woodworking magazine keep my house organized, such as basic bookcases, EDITOR Asa Christiana ART DIRECTOR Michael Pekovich tables, and shelves. But after reading and editing hundreds of articles on furniture design and construction, I know how to build MANAGING EDITOR Mark Schofield furniture that’s sound both structurally and aesthetically, and I have the confidence MANAGING EDITOR, ONLINE Matt Berger ASSOCIATE EDITORS to tackle more complex pieces. I’d like to pass along what I’ve learned at Fine Tom Begnal, Steve Scott, Woodworking in one inclusive magazine: Building Furniture. This special collection Thomas McKenna, David Heim, Charlie Reina of Fine Woodworking’s best articles on furniture construction and anatomy comes ASSISTANT EDITOR Anissa Kapsales ASSISTANT EDITOR, ONLINE Gina Eide from some of the country’s foremost woodworking experts. Lessons learned here SENIOR COPY/PRODUCTION EDITORS can be applied to a broad range of furniture types and styles from various periods. Elizabeth Healy, Julie Risinit You’ll learn how to build bookcases, tables, chairs, cabinets, chests of drawers, ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Kelly J. Dunton and beds in dozens of styles. You’ll also get in-depth information on building doors ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR John Tetreault and drawers. If you want to build stylish furniture that will last generations, dive in, SHOP MANAGER John White ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Betsy Engel explore, and enjoy the journey. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS —Tom McKenna Christian Becksvoort, Gary Rogowski, Building Furniture editor Garrett Hack, Roland Johnson, Steve Latta METHODS OF WORK Jim Richey PUBLISHER FineWoodworking.com/BuildingFurniture Anatole Burkin MARKETING MANAGER Melissa Robinson For more inspiration and advice on handmade furniture, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Christina Glennon visit our Web site to explore photos, video tutorials, and CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Dennis O’Brien audio slide shows. Also, browse more than 1,500 SENIOR SINGLE COPY SALES MANAGER Jay Annis images of custom furniture submitted by readers ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Peter Badeau around the world. SENIOR NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER VIDEOS: Linda Abbett NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER John Lagan •Furniture maker Matthew Teague goes step-by-step CORPORATE ACCOUNTS MANAGER Judy Caruso through the process of making a drawbored mortise and tenon. SENIOR AD SALES SUPPORT ASSOCIATE Marjorie Brown •Graham Blackburn shares practical tips and design inspiration for designing frame-and-panel furniture parts. WOODWORKING BOOKS & VIDEOS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Helen Albert •Fine Woodworking contributing editor Gary Rogowski shares his favorite Building Furniture: (ISSN: 1936-8127) is published by The Taunton Press, Inc., Newtown, CT 06470-5506. technique for laying out dovetails with a ruler and simple math. Telephone 203-426-8171. Canadian GST paid registration #123210981. Printed in the USA 6 FINE WOODWORKING FWSIP08BF-ED.indd 6 6/8/07 4:10:45 PM FWSIP08BF-ED.indd 6/7/07 11:27:36 AM pg 7 - (Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK) HOW TO CONTACT US: Fine Woodworking The Taunton Press, 63 S. Main St., PO Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506 203-426-8171 www.finewoodworking.com Editorial: To contribute an article, give a tip, or ask a question, contact Fine Woodworking at the address above or: Call: 800-309-8955 Fax: 203-270-6753 Email: [email protected] Customer Service: For subscription inquiries, you can: •Visit our subscriber service section at: www.finewoodworking.com •Email us: [email protected] •Call our customer support center: To report an address change, inquire about an order, or solve a problem, call: 800-477-8727 To subscribe, purchase back issues, books or videos, or give a gift, call: 800-888-8286 Advertising: To find out about advertising: Call: 800-309-8954 Email: [email protected] Retail: If you’d like to carry Fine Woodworking in your store, call the Taunton Trade Company at: 866-505-4674 The Taunton Guarantee: If at any time you’re not completely satisfied with Fine Woodworking, you can cancel your subscription and receive a full and immediate refund of the entire subscription price. No questions asked. Copyright 2007 by The Taunton Press, Inc. No reproduction without permission of The Taunton Press, Inc. quick tips EDITED AND DRAWN BY JIM RICH EY Ss Narrow side I NDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS SINCE 1 9 7 5 Sled for cutting 90° Wide side TAUNTON, INC. key-miter slots Founders, Paul and Jan Roman THE TAUNTON PRESS President Suzanne Roman Mitered Executive Vice President & picture Chief Financial Officer Timothy Rahr frame Cleat Runner Executive Vice President & Fence Publisher, Magazine Group Jon Miller Chief of Operations Thomas Luxeder DIRECTORS Creative & Editorial Director Susan Edelman Human Resources Director Carol Marotti Technology Services Director Jay Hartley Controller Wayne Reynolds Advertising Director David Gray Fulfillment Director Patricia Williamson Financial Analysis Director Kathy Worth Circulation Director Dennis O’Brien T H E TAU N TO N P R E SS Books: Marketing: Melissa A. Possick, Audrey Locorotondo. Publicity: Nicole Salvatore, Janel Noblin. Adding solid-wood keys to mitered picture frames or mitered boxes not only makes Editorial: Helen Albert, Kathryn Benoit, Peter Chapman, the joint stronger, but it also adds interest. Typically, I use only one key per joint when Steve Culpepper, Pamela Hoenig, Courtney Jordan, Carolyn Mandarano, Nicole Palmer, Jennifer Russell, Erica making a picture frame. When making a box, I’ll add several keys to each joint. Sanders-Foege, Kathleen Williams. Art: Alison Wilkes, A key miter is made in three steps. First, the frame or box is glued up. Then a slot is Nancy Boudreau, Amy Griffin, Sandra Mahlstedt, Wendi cut in the miter joint. After that, the key is made and glued into the slot. Once the glue Mijal, Lynne Phillips, Carol Singer. Manufacturing: Thomas Greco, Laura Burrone. dries, the key is trimmed flush. Business Office: Holly Smith, Gayle Hammond, Patricia No matter how many key miters I add to a joint, the sled shown here always makes Marini. Legal: Carolyn Kovaleski. Magazine Print it easier to cut the slots. In use, it slides front to back while Production: Philip Van Kirk, Nicole Anastas, Jennifer bearing against the fence of a tablesaw or router Kaczmarcyk.