DIY Network

Egyptian Dresser, Part 9: Top Completion and Finishing Touches From "Wood Works" episode WWK-709

	This sturdy and symmetrical dresser employs some of the aesthetics of ancient Egyptian design.
	The base and shelves angle upward, pyramid-like, to a cove-molded crown of mahogany.

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In this special two-episode installment of Wood Works, David Marks builds an Egyptian-inspired dresser. In this final segment, the top of the dresser is completed, ebony drawer-pulls are made and attached, and a wood finish is applied.

Materials used in this segment:

Ebony stock
Lathe
Brass pins
Cyanoacrylate glue
Potassium dichromate
Tung-oil finish
Paintbrushes
Rags
Protective gloves
Protective eyeglasses or goggles

Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves, and ensure adequate ventilation, when working with wood stains, solvents and other toxic solutions. When working with some sprays and chemicals, a respirator mask may be required.

Important: Always dispose of toxic or hazardous chemicals responsibly.

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Figure A

Final Assembly

• Once the glue has dried on the top piece, scrape away any excess glue using a hand scraper and sand the surfaces smooth.

• Test fit the top on top of the cove molding and mark it for final positioning.

• Install the plywood support ribs inside the cove molding. Apply yellow glue to the molding and top (figure A). Since this portion of the glue-up is long-grain to long-grain, no additional fasteners will be needed.
  

• Position the top so that it is centered and secure it with clamps (figure B). Using cork-covered clamps will prevent denting of the wood surface.

• Apply downward pressure using long bar-clamps secured to both sides of the assembly table (figure C).

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  

• The drawers will need drawer-pulls. David chose to custom make his own on the lathe using solid ebony. Using a narrow block of ebony mounted between centers, he shaped the stock down to a cylinder that tapers down to a middle shaped like a ring (figure D).

• Drill drill holes in each side of each pull. Using cyanoacrylate glue, install two brass pins to complete the drawer-pulls (figure E).

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

  	Figure F
  	Figure G

• Before applying a finish, install the back-panel on the dresser with glue (figure F).

• To enhance the rich color and grain, David opted to darken the mahogany using potassium dichromate. He used a mild solution of 1/2-teaspoon of chemical to 8 ounces of warm water, and conducted tests on scraps of mahogany to achieve the desired tone.

  Safety Alert: Potassium dichromate is toxic, so wear protective clothing, gloves and eye-protection.

• To avoid lap-marks, apply thin coats using a soft-hair brush.

• To create a rich contrast between the panels and frames, apply a light coat of solution onto the panels, then multiple coats onto the frame.

• Once the potassium dichromate has dried overnight, apply several coats of tung-oil solution to bring out the contrasting hues of the grain and seal in the color (figure G).

Other tools and materials used in this project:

Mahogany stock
Maple stock
Oak stock
Ebony stock
Maple plywood stock
MDF for templates and mockup
Table saw; cross-cut sled
Tapering jig
Multi-router
Jointer
Power planer
Lathe
Table router
Plunge router
Dovetail jig
Biscuit jointer
Drill press
Chop saw
Clamps
Yellow woodworker's glue
Slow-setting resin glue
Japanese hand-saw
Dead-blow hammer
Brass pins
Hand scraper
#80 cabinet-scraper
Sandpaper, various grits
Straight-edge
Tape measure
Straight-edge
Carpenter's pencil
Safety glasses or goggles

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

RESOURCES :

The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561580619

Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561583456

David Marks Website
David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com

Woodworker's Guide to Wood: Softwoods, Hardwoods, Plywoods, Composite, Veneers
Model: 080836878
Author: Rick Peters
(2000)
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com

Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com