JOHN F. ADAMS

The chamber set to be described in this and following numbers of this magazine is of colonial design, with a strong, substantial appearance, and yet not carried too far in the way of heaviness. It is such a set as any woodworker will find pleasure in the making, and pride in its possession when completed. It can be made in either mahogany or oak, though more especially adapted to oak; the strong marking of the latter wood when brought out with a dark finish producing an exceptionally fine appearance.

The material required is as follows:

2 pieces 4' 6" x 4" x 1 3/4" 2 pieces 3' x 4" x 1 3/4" 2 pieces 4" x 7" x 7/8" 2 pieces 4' x 8" x 7/8"

1 piece 4' x 6" x 7/8"

2 pieces 6' x 8" x 7/8"

2 pieces 3'11" x 14 1/2" x 1/4" 1 piece 3' 11" x 12 1/2" x 1/4"

The three latter pieces may have to be glued up, but this should be avoided if possible to secure well marked stock of the full width. It will also be necessary to make sure that all the pieces are thoroughly dried, as shrinkage in the completed work will be quite objectionable.

To begin with the head-board; the corner posts are 4' 6" high. The upper cross piece, 7" wide, is 1" ower than the top of the posts, mortises 1" deep being made for same the full size of the cross piece. Another mortise for the centre cross piece, 6" wide, is made 14" below the upper one. The mortises for the lower cross piece, 8" wide, is 12" below the centre one, the lower edge being 6" from the floor. These mortises are all centered on the posts.

The upper panel is 14" wide in the clear; the lower one 12" wide. Grooves 5/16" deep are cut in the cross pieces and posts to receive the edges of the panel pieces; and so located as to have the panels set in 3/8" from the front of the cross pieces. Accurate measurements must be made and lines laid off with a marking gauge. A 1/4" grooving plane will be necessary to cut the grooves in nice shape. On the front of the post a slot is cut for the side board hangers which centres 1" from the outer edge of the post. The hangers should be purchased in advance from which to ascertain the correct width of the slot, which should be located to bring the side board 6" from the floor, before castors are added. When all fittings are completed, the head board is set up with glued joints and further strengthened by two 1/4" dowel pins put through from the back so not to show at the front. The foot board is made in the same way, the posts being 3' high; the upper cross piece 7" wide, the lower one 8" wide and the panel 14" wide in the clear. The top edge of the upper cross piece is 1" below top of the posts. The cross pieces are also pinned with dowel pins put through from the back, and carefully cut off to show as little as possible. Slots for the side boards are cut on the inside at same height as on the head board.

The side boards are 6' long and 8" wide. The method of providing for the slats can be seen by inspecting any wooden bed, so will not be described. After setting up both head and footboard, the tops and bottoms of the posts on both are beveled off slightly as shown. The ornamental carved work shown at the tops of the posts can be purchased of furniture manufacturers supply houses located in most of the large cities, but can be omitted if not obtainable. If same are purchased, two others of slightly smaller size should be got at the same time for the bureau, if same is to be made, and which will be described in the next number. The finish may be a dark green or brown or black, if of oak, and dark mo-hogany if the latter wood is used.