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Peter Jaquith · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:44 pm Post subject: Pennsylvania Dower Chest #0447

Today I completed Bartley's Pennsylvania Dower Chest #0447 in curly maple. This a large and very impressive piece, with lots of storage space. I finished this piece in Moser's Lt Brown Walnut Aniline Dye, Bartley's gel wiping varnish, steel wool and wax.

The following notes apply:
>>> I sanded all pieces before assembly
>>> I applied aniline dye and one coat of varnish to the interior of the five major case pieces before assembly.
>>> With the above exception, I assembled the chest in accordance with the kit instructions. As recommended, I had help in assembly of the major case pieces (required due to the size of the chest). Additionally, I found long nose pliers useful for holding the clamp nails as I pounded them in place (to avoid twisting as the leading edge was uneven on several of the clamp nails).
>>> My finishing steps included wiping all pieces with fresh water to raise the grain, machine followed by hand sanding, application of aniline dye, light sanding with foam sanding pads, five coats of Bartley's gel wiping varnish (three coats on the interior), rubbing down with Liberon ultra fine steel wool and Howard's-Feed-N-Wax, and polishing the top with Liberon clear furniture wax. The interion of the draws were finished with white shellac.

This is a great kit, with lots of beautiful wood, lots of fitting and assembly, and lots of finishing. This piece will join other kit pieces in one of our guest bedrooms in Hancock, NH.

Regards,
Pete Jaquith
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Shipbuilder
Hancock, NH & San Diego, CA