Cedar chest costs less
More than just a handsome piece of furniture to put at the end of the bed, a cedar chest is a good place to store blankets, linens and sweaters because the fragrance of cedar helps discourage moths. Because it's sturdy, it's also a safe place for china and other collectibles.
There is one drawback, as anyone who's priced cedar chests knows: They can be expensive. With a little effort, though, do-it-yourselfers can build an heirloom-quality hope chest at a fraction of the cost of buying one.
This project requires straight cuts for the sides, top and bottom and curved cuts (traced from full-size patterns) for the four base supports. After the pieces are cut and glued, assemble them with finishing nails, wood screws and glue, then sand and finish with Danish oil.
Western cedar with a bold grain is the obvious choice in lumber, but wood with a less-defined grain also works well. With pine, oak or mahogany, line the chest with cedar closet lining, available at home centers and lumber yards.
The finished cedar chest measures 48 inches long by 20 inches high by 19.5 inches deep.
The Cedar Chest plan, No. 572, is $8.95 and includes step-by-step directions with 12 photos, full-size traceable patterns, exploded diagrams and a shopping list and cutting schedule.
A package of three blanket chest plans, No. C74, is $18.95 and includes this chest project plus two others. A catalog picturing hundreds of do-it-yourself projects is $3.95. Prices include postage and handling. Please allow three to four weeks for delivery (for rush delivery, add $1 per item up to $3 maximum and allow seven to 10 days).
To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Lawrence Journal-World, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409. To order by credit card, call 1-800-828-2453. Visit U-Bild on the Web at www.u-bild.com.
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