Blockfront Chest construction

M

macchips4

Well-known member
I'm contemplating building a block front chest. I'm having "first cut syndrome"...... I have a wide piece of 5/4 Genuine Mahogany 21+ inches wide 14ft long. I was wondering, how to best utilize the wide board. I will be using part of it for the top of the chest. (I have another Mahogany board for the drawer-fronts, shell, moldings etc,).. But....should I be using it for the sides also? Make a one piece top or two piece (re-saw a piece of 8/4 and book-match for the width?) was it common to have one or two piece sides? or am I over thinking using the wide board?...assuming another could be found/sourced if needed for another chest in the future...What are your thoughts?
 
I have always favored one piece tops and sides when possible. Most of the period pieces are done that way, but with the 5/4 thickness you would have a fair amount of waste, so the judgment call is yours.

Kirk
 
In my limited experience....When finding boards this wide at 4/4...by the time it is flattened, straightened and trued, because of bowing and cupping or twist...they get close to 3/4 or sometimes less!...so getting 4/4 boards are sometimes just as much as a waste as 5/4 ..after all "processing" is done....So in this case...5/4 gives plenty of lee way to get the size that is required/needed.....My thoughts.....
 
Don't worry...I've given it more than enough thought for the both of us........Wood, mahogany in particular is gone up so much...the first cut on any board is always worrisome.........I think there night be an actual psych description: FCS......"First Cut Syndrome":)
 
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