Mike's Woodworking Projects

Blanket Chest

Year built: 1990s
Plan: New Yankee Workshop

This was a very challenging project for a beginner. However, I had the drawings from the New Yankee Workshop and the advantage of the taped episode of the show to see how Norm Abrahms did the joinery.

Developed a lot of new skills and used all my equipment.

Made out of 1" Pine boards. Front, Back, and side panels made from were done with frame and panel construction. The panels were also solid pine, recessed from the outside and the inside rounded over. Can't remember any other project that used solid panels. Tongue and groove joinery. From the pictures you can see the legs are integrated to make the panels.

The bottom was plywood fit into a dado. Then, lined with aeromatic cedar (prevents moths, etc.).

The top is big and was made from edge glued boards with edges jointed. Then, to finish the sides, breadboard style ends.

Getting such a large edge joined piece perfectly flat with really good joints is very challenging, especially without some really good clamps (father's day gift perhaps!).

Really happy with the end result. Over the years the top has had some abuse. The soft pine dents easily so, it has lots of scratches/indentations.

I could easily sand and refinish one of these days...