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Writer's picturemarc-hunter

Drawer materials: Phase I

Updated: Oct 22





Hi Pam and Peter!


In the spirit of intention and process, here are the first in a long series of photos to officially begin your project. 


I look forward to documenting and sharing this build from conception to completion. I hope it’s as rewarding for you as it is for me. :) 


The drawer material selection and processing is likely the most comprehensive of all the ‘parts’ of the project. For the drawer faces themselves, I’m selecting boards that resemble and complement in color and grain. I have over 1,000 bd ft of 4/4(1”) rough-sawn white oak to select from and it’s quite a methodical, fun and challenging process. 


Once I group the boards and lay them out on the floor for color matching, I then label them in chalk and cut down the pieces to a more workable size for milling, while keeping them oversized. They are still in very rough form at this point...


In milling, my focus is strictly on getting all of the boards flat, straight and uniform in thickness. It’s a multi-step process that allows me to see what the board is truly going to look like and make sure it’s still a good match for it’s selected purpose and location. If not, it goes into another pile and I select new ones.


These will all get glued up into panels that become the fronts/sides/backs of the drawers. This is such a critical stage as flatness and consistent thickness will ensure better success once the joinery phase begins. 


Step by step by step… 


Thanks for viewing!

Marc











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Hi Pam.

I just saw your comment and question here. Thanks! To answer the wavy line question, I make these in pencil across the width and length of a board so I can visually see how the flattening of the face, upon each light pass across the jointer machine, is removing the material. Once the lines are removed entirely, then I know I’ve reached a flat surface. It can be hard to tell sometimes. The second photo shows the fading line after 1 pass. Then the last photo tells me to stop. Great question with an exceptionally long answer…Feel free to send any questions you have, I love it!

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Marc,

This is all pretty spectacular. We get to "see" your work from afar! Thank you for taking the time to share your process with us.

So, I have many questions but I will start with this one. . . what do the wavy lines mean?

thanks,

Pam

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