Rhodes Ave. Woodsmith

                                  Handcrafted Wood Furniture and Custom Cabinets

Side-Entry Oak Curio

It starts with solid Oak for the sides and oak plywood wrapped in solid oak for the top and bottom shelves.  The sides are where the glass doors will go (2 ea.)

Rails & Stiles are formed, but not before the shelf pins and pins for the glass doors are in place.  Then the Mortise & Tenons are formed and test-fitted.

Glue them up and check it for square. 

Then it's getting the top frame and bottom shelf ready for receiving the sides.  The sides and front edge are treated with a 1/2" roundover edge and a 1 1/4" rabbet.

And that comes together like this.  The plywood back is screwed into the rabbets on the sides of the case to allow access in case the front glass has to be replaced.

Next was the front frame that's fixed and will hold a large sheet of glass.  (Roughly 44" X 33".)  The frame was assembled with a Rail & Stile set and I formed a rabbet after the glue set to allow the glass to set in.  Metal clips were recessed into the back of the frame about 1" to 1 1/8" in to conceal them from the outside edge.  This will make changing the glass easier. 

Rail & Stile bit detail is pretty good... 

Then I used #10 biscuits and glue to attach the front frame to the carcass.  (Look at all those clamps!)

Now the finish top is attached.

Here, the Base Trim is installed.  I borrowed the decorative cut from another plan that had this base.  I thought it would add to the Curio... And it did.  Also added to the base were glue blocks to re-enforce the miter corners as well as glue blocks on the back to lock the trim together.  Large leveling feet were also installed behind the trim.

And at this stage, the woodworking is complete. 

The finishing steps are pretty basic.  It starts with a 1# cut of dewaxed Orange Shellac then a coat of an oil based Candlelight Stain.  Little bit of touch-up, then the urethane top coat is applied three times with light sanding between.

After the glass was installed, it was delivered. 

So now he has a cool "garage" to show off his model cars!

Photos property of Rhodes Ave. Woodsmith LLC

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