How to Make Mission Furniture

A DRESSER

The dresser shown in the illustration was made of quarter-sawed white oak and finished golden and waxed. The mirror is of beveled glass and the following is the stock bill:

1 top, 3/4 by 19-1/2 by 33 in., S-2-S.
4 posts, 1-3/4 by 1-3/4 by 28 in., S-4-S.
4 end rails, 3/4 by 2-1/4 by 17 in., S-2-S.
4 stiles, 3/4 by 2-1/2 by 20 in., S-2-S.
2 panels, 3/16 by 12 by 18 in., S-2-S.
3 facings, 3/4 by 2-1/4 by 29 in., S-2-S.
2 top frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 32 in., S-2-S.
2 top frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 19 in., S-2-S.
2 mirror supports, 1 by 2 by 33 in., S-2-S.
1 mirror support, 3/4 by 2-1/2 by 33 in., S-2-S.
1 drawer front, 3/4 by 7-1/4 by 28 in., S-2-S.
1 drawer front, 3/4 by 6-1/4 by 28 in., S-2-S.
2 drawer fronts, 3/4 by 5-1/4 by 14 in., S-2-S.
1 partition, 3/4 by 1 by 6 in.
2 mirror-frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 40 in., S-2-S.
2 mirror-frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 20 in., S-2-S.

The following material list may be of common stock and not quarter-sawed:

Mirror-backing pieces equivalent to 1/4 by 18-1/2 by 36 in., S-2-S.
2 cleats, 3/4 by 2 by 10 in., S-4-S.
4 drawer-support frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 29 in.
7 drawer-support frame pieces, 3/4 by 2 by 15 in.
Slides taken from scrap stock, 3/4 by 1 by 15 in.
3 back pieces, 3/4 by 2-1/4 by 28 in., S-2-S.
2 back pieces, 1/4 by 8 by 28 in., S-2-S.
8 drawer sides, 1/2 by 7-1/4 by 17 in., S-2-S.
2 drawer backs, 3/8 by 7 by 27 in., S-2-S.
2 drawer backs, 3/8 by 7 by 13 in., S-2-S.
2 drawer bottoms, 3/8 by 15 by 27 in., S-2-S.
2 drawer bottoms, 3/8 by 15 by 13 in., S-2-S.

In working up the various parts proceed in the usual manner. If not thoroughly familiar with the various tool processes involved, it will be necessary to investigate pieces of near-by furniture and to read up some good text dealing with the processes involved. [101]

Dresser in Quarter-Sawed Oak

[102]

The exact size of the mirror is 18 by 36 in. and the frame should be rabbeted to correspond.

Detail of the Dresser

For a finish, a coat of paste filler colored so as to [103] give a rich golden brown should be applied first. Allow this to harden, after rubbing and polishing it in the usual manner, then apply a thin coat of shellac. Sand this lightly when hard, and over this apply a coat of orange shellac. Over the shellac put several coats of some good rubbing wax and polish each coat well. If a striking contrast is wanted for the medullary rays of the quartering, apply a golden-oak stain first. Sand this lightly, then apply a second coat diluted one-half with solvent and sand again lightly. Apply a thin coat of shellac, then, when dry, sand lightly and apply paste, and proceed as before.

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HowtoMakeMission Furniture.com

How to Make Mission Furniture

A DRESSER