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Whether it's storing a set of clothes or holding a TV and VCR, this armoire is sure to command attention. Our detailed construction plans walk you through the building process step by step. Plus, we came up with an optional top and base.
The bedroom armoire on page 6 requires only a "handful" of hardware, and most of it should be available locally or from the mail order sources below.
CONCEALED HINGES. The concealed hinges are fairly common, but keep in mind that you may need to order the hinges and the mounting plates separately. (The same plate can be used with different hinges.)
The hinges we chose are made by Blum, see photo on page 35. They open 170° and are designed for inset doors. We ordered ours from Woodworker's Hardware (B071T6650 for the hinge and B175H719 for the mounting plate), see list.
In addition to the hinge and plate, you'll also need a 35mm drill bit. Because this is the standard size for concealed hinges, you should have no problem finding one, see the list below.
WOOD PULLS. For the pulls, we purchased 1 1/4"-dia. cherry pulls (No.K92UC) from Grand River Wood Products, see photo on page 35. You’ll also want to order 1 1/4"-long screws (No. S14) for mounting the pulls. But other sources also carry wood pulls (though the size and profile will be slightly different).
GLIDE TAPE. The only other hardware item (besides assembly screws and shelf pins) is nylon glide tape, see list. It's applied at the bottom and side of each drawer opening, and you'll need 32 lineal feet.
ANILINE DYE. You probably won’t find aniline dyes at a local home center, but you should be able to find them at a local woodworking store or through the sources below.
There are really three different types of aniline dye: those that dissolve in water, oil, and alcohol. Waterbased (or water-soluble) dyes are the easiest to work with and the most lightfast (fade resistant).
For the armoire, we used three different Moser dyes (refer to the article on page 17). These are only available through Woodworkers' Supply (see list), but other brands are available from other sources. And because you can mix different colors (and in di
Add dramatic color to a project without covering the natural beauty of the wood grain. Learn what you need to know about water-based aniline dye to get great results on your next project.
With glass panels and distinctive "raised" moldings, friends may spend as much time admiring this case as its contents. We'll show you everything you need to build this heirloom-quality piece.
The display case on page 20 requires some traditional brass hardware and several panes of glass.
The ball-tipped hinges, shelf pins, and brass knobs are fairly common. We found our knob at a home center (Liberty No. 5155). But you may not be able to find ball catches locally. We purchased a 1/4" catch from Lee Valley (No. 00G11.01), and similar ball catches are readily available, see list.
GLASS. As for the glass, you'll want to order 1/4" glass with a 1" bevel for the sides of the case. (For these panels, I ordered them 1/8" smaller than the opening.)
The shelf is 1/4"-thick glass with a pencil-style (rounded) edge treatment. All these can be ordered from a local glass shop.
WALNUT PLYWOOD. If you can't find 3/4" walnut plywood locally, see the two sources listed below.
Plywood is a great material for projects. But working with it can be tricky. We share our shop-tested tips for getting top-notch results when cutting, routing, edging, and assembling plywood.
Even though you can build it in an afternoon, this is more than just a simple frame. For one thing, the frame is joined with mitered half laps. Plus, we'll show you how to use contrasting woods and veneers to give it any number of custom looks.
A local framing shop or a crafts store are both good sources for the easel backs shown on page 31. However, you can also order them through the mail from the source listed below. We purchased an 11" x 14" back and cut it to fit our frame opening.
Here's a joint that combines the elegant look of a miter joint with the strength of a half lap. And our detailed instructions will ensure you're able to make this unique joint with confidence.
