I have seen quite a few Hope Chests made out of a wide variety of woods, but wonder just what should I use to make the ones for my three daughters.
I see quite a few folks making the chests out of cedar. That wood just seems a little soft for a long lasting chest that may have to endure many moves. My wife's chest is made of maple and lined with cedar. Her chest sits at the foot of the bed and is mostly a seat or stuff stacker. Of course, it is full, so she either needs a second one, or a bigger one. And earlier in its life, one of the kids enjoyed running their cars up and down the top, or pound on it, so it has a few "antiquing" dings. Quite a few of the older chests I look at, I see that the top has split or has taken a real beating. It would be nice make a chest that can stand the test of time.
I am not sure that cedar is still a requirement for hope chests. Any opinions on that would be welcome.
Seems like the woodworking magazines have a design for a chest every other month, but tend to use tenon panel framework for the sides, which I am not a fan of for this particular project. Ever since I brought home some dovetail joint work, all of the women in my family seem to want it, not realizing I can do it, but am a little slow at cutting those. I find that as time passes, and my eye glass prescription gets more extreme, dovetail joints become more difficult as well.
Appreciate any thoughts the experts might have. Thank-you.
I see quite a few folks making the chests out of cedar. That wood just seems a little soft for a long lasting chest that may have to endure many moves. My wife's chest is made of maple and lined with cedar. Her chest sits at the foot of the bed and is mostly a seat or stuff stacker. Of course, it is full, so she either needs a second one, or a bigger one. And earlier in its life, one of the kids enjoyed running their cars up and down the top, or pound on it, so it has a few "antiquing" dings. Quite a few of the older chests I look at, I see that the top has split or has taken a real beating. It would be nice make a chest that can stand the test of time.
I am not sure that cedar is still a requirement for hope chests. Any opinions on that would be welcome.
Seems like the woodworking magazines have a design for a chest every other month, but tend to use tenon panel framework for the sides, which I am not a fan of for this particular project. Ever since I brought home some dovetail joint work, all of the women in my family seem to want it, not realizing I can do it, but am a little slow at cutting those. I find that as time passes, and my eye glass prescription gets more extreme, dovetail joints become more difficult as well.
Appreciate any thoughts the experts might have. Thank-you.