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LenHambleton

Last summer I had the pleasure of building my first Bartley kit ,to be one of several for a senior client .
It was the Willard Tallcase in black cherry with" rocking ship".
I have conserved many original Roxbury case 's of which this fine kit was patterned. A non conformist , I decided to see how I could simplify the completion and arrived at my standard method.
I lay a single door bought at a lumber store on cubes I built ,that have 3 different height capabilities. I saw this project in Woodworking Magazine,Autumn 2005 .
I simply lay all the kit's wood pieces on the "bench" , orbital sand all flat surfaces through 180,220,320 . Finish them with my preferred finshes,hand made fresh shellac 1 3/4 pound cut or wiping varnish.
I rub between all coats with 0000 Liberon(no oil) steelwool . After the final coat is cured for a week, I commence building . No chance glue smudges to spoil the finish!
I dry fit all mating pieces in each subassembly and make all dovetail joints slide easily before applying glue.

Because Bartley's kits have such beautiful grain on the showwood surfaces ,and moldings,I bend over backwards to avoid any nails. When the wood ages and color changes ,wax or putty infills will become obvious. Whenever possible I drill pilot holes through the the rear of carcase pieces where they will attach and draw them tight first without glue to check for possible deflections at mitered corners in the case of any mitered pieces.
I have to say any mitered pieces fit beautifully from the factory . All machined joints are exceptionally done.

Many is a time I would express that to myself in praise of these kits.

When it comes to attaching the fine brass castings provided I use the same method as with the moldings . I drill and tap the castings from the back and draw them tight .
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Len Hambleton-Clockcase Conservator in Private Practice 919-622-1761