How it's made: A Scandinavian Style Chest of Drawers
This tutorial will show you how to make a chest of drawers. You will need:
- one standard length of 1mm thick bass wood (bass wood is available in most craft stores);
- one length of 2mm thick bass wood;
- one piece of thin hobby sheet metal (gold).
- PVA wood glue;
- Standard craft blade & assorted small carving blades;
- fine sandpaper.
Chest of Drawers
**Note: the measurements given below are for 1:24 scale. If you would like to make the chest of drawers in 1:12, double the measurements (including the wood thicknesses).
1. Begin by cutting two pieces for the top and bottom plate of the chest, the top in 1mm wood, the bottom in 2mm wood. These pieces should be 40mm wide x 20mm deep. These two pieces should be the same dimensions. The pieces should be chamfered sharply at each corner as shown above right.
2. Cut the two sides of the chest in 1mm wood. These pieces should be 20mm x 25mm. Cut some short scrap lengths as shown above to sit in the corners as you glue the four pieces together. This will give stability.
3. Next you will have to cut the small 45 degree side panels. Cut these panels from 1mm wood, 25mm high x 5mm wide. The panels should fit comfortably between the chamfered corners as shown above right. You can also give the side panels grooves if you wish, using a clay sculpting tool to engrave lines (as shown above left).
4. To make the false drawers of the chest, follow the steps outlined in the Colonial Dresser tutorial.
5. Once this is complete, add four small legs cut from 2mm wood.
6. Now you must paint your chest in the colour you wish. I would recommend a pastel blue, grey or cream.
7. Now you must make the six handles and 3 key holes from thin sheet metal. These can be made by engraving the metal using a clay sculpting tool and a small plastic circle template.
8. Once you have cut out and glued on your handles, your chest is complete. A nice small touch at the end is to take a black fine tip pen and use it to drawer on false key holes in the centre bronze key hole plates. Only do this if you are confident of a steady hand.
