Toy Chest: Details’ Construction

I wanted to share how I constructed the various small details that are on this Toy Chest.  They are:

Different Planes

The various pieces of the chest are all offset by about 1/16″.  The legs are slightly proud of the rails, which are a little proud of the panels.  This gives a very nice textured feel to the piece.  It highlights the fact that it’s a piece of furniture made from elements in 3d.  These are created by offsetting the joinery.

Chamfer Edges

I used the 60 degree edge of a chamfer bit to softly lead from level to level.  So, there’s a very slight chamfer on the edge of the leg which leads down to the rail.  The chamfer is a little less than 1/8″ wide by less than 1/16″ deep (60 degrees).  This was created on the router table using a Freud 30 degree chamfer bit and running the pieces on edge.

Square Pegs

I constructed the chest using a Festool Domino, so it’s all hidden floating tenons.  I used pegs in the corners where rails meet stiles to highlight the fact that there’s a joint there.  This implied joint is a fun detail.

I used square punches designed by Darrell Peart to create the square holes.  I created the pegs by hand using sandpaper and a chisel.

Foot Indent

I wanted to highlight the foot of the chest, where it meets the ground.  I feel that this grounds a piece nicely.  I decided to do a small indent that “fades away” in two dimensions (up and in) and is about 1/16″ at its deepest.  I created this by first scribing the outer edges using a marking gauge and then chiseling the fade/slant right near the scribe line.  I then chiseled away the waste from the outer edge (fading to nothing) into the edge.

Curved Indent

The rails all got a slanted, curved, indented feature that was created on the tablesaw.  I judged where I wanted the deepest part to be (about 1/16″ deep) and then angled the tablesaw blade to “fade away” to nothing about 1/4″ from the bottom edge.  I used the tablesaw blade profile to define the outer corners.  I had to put the piece in place against the fence and then raise the spinning blade into the piece.  Since the blade was angled, I couldn’t drop the rail down onto the blade.

Magnetic Side

I embedded some magnets into the lower side rail.  I think Kyra will have fun attaching things to the sides!  I used a forstner bit to make the 1/2″ holes and dropped a rare earth magnet in.  I added a small peg to keep the magnet pushed against the front edge.  Then attached a small piece of wood on the back to hold everything in place.

All of those details really make this toy chest that much more elegant.