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I built this blanket chest from an 1984 issue of Woodsmith. The box was built over the past month using oak for the main casing and cedar for the lining in the trunk and the drawers. This was my first attempt at using the Leigh jig for dovetails. The drawer pulls are from an antique dresser that was in the family for years. I have yet to add a lock mechanism and the lid support. My wife just couldn't wait to get it out of the shop and into the bedroom so she could admire it.

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Very nice Blanket Chest. One of these is on my wife's list. I think it is about 2 pages long now.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Nice job Bruce, I made one a while ago out of purpleheart and cherry wood with cedar lining. Man it was heavy. Made it for my daughter as a hope chest. Yours is still very nice, I love the dovetails, good job on those, I hear it's easy with the leigh jig, is that true? jockmike
 

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Bruce,

Very nice blanket chest. I really like the dovetail joints on the case. How do you like your leigh jig? Is it easy to set up and use?
 

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I have owned the Leigh for several years now and just never had the right project to try it out on. The manual was one of the best I have read. It took some time to get the hang of adjusting the size of the tails for a snug fit, and it really helps to have two routers so you can keep the depth settings the same. I did also experience some difficulty with chip out (which the manual gives you some tips on). Overall I would give the jig a four star rating; heck if I can do it anyone can! Next up is a cherry buffet for my daughter in law. I need to make my own plans and that is going to be a real challange figuring out all of the mortises, rabbets and dadoes ahead of time.
Thanks for all of the kind comments about the blanket chest.
Bruce
 

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Bruce - Outstanding work! I like the dovetails and drawers.
 

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Bruce, this is lovely.

My dear departed father made one of these, from the same plans, for my oldest daughter when she got married in 1996 and was in the process of making one for my second daughter's marriage when he passed away in 1999.

You've done a very nice job.
 

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the drawers are wonderful!!
I can't wait to get it in my house too !! :)
 

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That's a beautiful blanket chest and the dovetails really look good. You do know that you're going to have to finish it in the bedroom, right? She's not going to let it out of her sight… who can blame her? Drooling to see the cherry buffet!
 

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Oh yeah, nice.
 

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Dang, that's gorgeous! I'll have to show it to my wife….she's always telling me she doesn't need any more of my projects in the house, but we've got a spot for one of those.
 

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Very Nice. I am in the middle of making one out of cherry for my daughter. I just have a basic dovetail jig from Rockler and it is limited to stock 11" wide. So I am working on a different corner treatment.

I hope mine turns out half a good as yours did.
 

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That is just a wonderful piece

I like the way you varied the spacing on the dovetails. Nice extra touch. It is one of the extras that I think makes getting a Leigh jig worthwhile.

Don't forget to let us see it refinished.
 

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Very nice, I like this a lot.
 

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Beautiful blanket chest. You did a great job on this. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom
 

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Dis is good ya very good
 

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Drop Dead Gorgeous!

Also, that you took the challenge on new tools & techniques.

MJCD
 
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