DIY Network

Blanket Chest -- Adding Hinges and Finishing the Blanket Case From "Wood Works" episode WWK-103

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Here's a bird's-eye view of the beautiful blanket chest created by David Marks, the host of Wood Works. Figure A Figure B Figure C Notice how the tung-and-linseed-oil-blend finish brings out the light-and-dark contrast of the dovetail corners. Here's a close-up of the blanket chest.

Once glue has been placed in the rabbet of the purpleheart base, it's time to fit the case down into the base and add some hinges.

Materials:

Stop blocks
Cauls
Clamps
Table saw and fence
1/8" radius bit
Positive-stop brass hinges (2) and screws
Drill or screwdriver (your choice)
Chisel
Router
Safety glasses/goggles
Tape or pencil (your choice)
Tung-and-linseed-oil blend
Gloves
Cloth
Brush

1. Place stop blocks on top of the four corners of the case.

2. Set the cauls on top of the case and attach with clamps (figure A) to achieve the downward force needed to secure the case. Let dry (approximately 2 hours).

3. Whle the base is drying, use a 1/8" radius bit on the table saw to round the edges of the lid frame.

4. Chisel out the mortises for the hinges with a plunge router.

   Tip: Clamp a block of wood to the back of the case to create a larger space on which the router can balance while making the cuts for the mortises.

5. Use a positive-stop hinge for this particular project -- this type of hinge ( figure B) holds the lid open.

6. Once the mortises have been cut for the case, it's time to make the cuts for the mortises in the lid. Mark where they go (with tape or a pencil), and because the fence in the router (figure C) is in the same position it was for cutting the case mortises, it will give the proper width needed for cutting the lid mortises.

7. Once the mortises in the lid are made, attach it to the base with a drill and screws.

   Tip: It's a great idea to use some wax on the threads when drilling screws into a hard wood. This is especially true when working on dense wood such as the purpleheart used in this project.

   Finishing the Blanket Chest

8. Use a tung-and-inseed-oil blend to finish the chest, which really soaks into the wood to bring out some rich colors. Apply with a clean cloth for the first coat, and be sure to wear gloves.

9. Apply several more coats (approximately 5) of the oil blend with a brush -- giving a rubdown with a cloth between each coat.

   Note: For the oil blend to dry properly, let each coat dry overnight.

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Order this title from Amazon.com.

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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

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