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| Fig. 3 Winchester style chest
by Jeff Headley. Dimensions, 37 ½” H x 38” W X 22 ½” D. |
SAPFM Where is the original chest located?
HEADLEY The original chest I copied was in the Dewitt-Wallace museum in Williamsburg. They were gracious enough to let me copy it for myself (fig. 1). I have since seen three others, similar but not exact. Two have similar lines but definitely made by different hands. The third is pretty close. The owner of the third chest allowed me to copy theirs. So I have made two others making sure to change them slightly as to not cause any conflict of interest.
SAPFM What are the dimensions of the chest you reproduced (fig. 3)?
HEADLEY The chest overall dimensions are 37 ½” H x 38” W X 22 ½” D at the greatest depth. The top and sides are 13/16”, the rails are 1” and the dust dividers are ¾”.
SAPFM What are the primary and secondary woods used?
HEADLEY Primary wood is walnut and the secondary is poplar.
SAPFM What type of veneer was used and where do you get your veneer?
HEADLEY I actually didn’t use any veneer on this piece. I used a piece of 8/4 walnut and sliced off four 1/8” pieces 8” wide, which is the width of my deepest drawer, so I could get the same grain pattern throughout all my drawers. But when ordering veneer the last few times I did so I usually get it from Certainly Wood.
SAPFM What type of glue do you use?
HEADLEY I actually like Elmer’s white glue. We have been using it in our shop for over 60 years. We will also use hide glue. Elmer’s white glue is a little more forgiving than your yellow glues.
SAPFM Where did you get the hardware and drawer locks?
HEADLEY We order our brasses mainly from Horton Brasses, but I also use Whitechapel, Ball and Ball and Londondary Brasses. The brass I used on this chest came from Period Hardware in Boston. The quality wasn’t quite what others I mentioned are but they had the same brass that was on the originals.
SAPFM What type of finish did you use?
HEADLEY Oil and Shellac.