From the Woodshop: Twin Dressers

Another treat of a project, the opportunity to build matching dressers for good friends here in Bentonville. The challenge here was to build two pieces of furniture that will withstand the stresses of triplet boys. Both units feature solid Poplar hardwood throughout, and by request, feature some rather deep drawers.

Technique-wise, the pieces are built without any screws or nails. The cabinets were constructed using all mortise & tenon joinery, and the drawers all feature variable-spaced dovetails. The only screws in the project are involved in the fastening of the top to the unit, and to fasten the 100 pound ball bearing drawer slides.

The design of these units are fairly simple, taking cues from previously constructed pieces showcased on this site. Two inch square columns at the corners with a slight taper at the bottom, recessed panels on the side and back, eased edges on top. The cabinet is finished in an oil-based paint, the drawer (insides) are finished with polyurethane.

Species Featured: Poplar
Lumber: Dimensional lumber & maple plywood
Finish: Polyurethane & black oil-base paint
Features: Dovetailed drawers, mortise & tenon joinery
Measurements: Approx. 30" wide, 18" deep, 40" tall.

Great view of what a Mortise & Tenon looks like. Rather than relying on glue or screws to hold a piece of furniture together, the woodworker essentially cuts perfect square holes in one side of the joint, and turns the other side of the joint into a square peg. In this case, all of the horizontal pieces will self-peg into the legs by a full inch. With very tight fits and a little glue, these joints will be indestructible.

A view of the cross members dry-fit into the columns.

The side and rear panels (1/2" and 1/4" maple ply, respectively) are inset into the posts and the cross members. These are the only non-solid pieces of lumber in the piece.