Mystery Project for Mum's 60th

[Bespoken]

My Mum has just yesterday turned 60. I made Dad a piece of furniture for his 60th (2 years ago), so I wanted to do the same for Mum.
Time ran out, so my wife suggested I keep the final plan from Mum, and give her updates on the process... keeping the mystery of it all as I get to enjoy the work without the (unreasonable) self-imposed deadline.

Now I thought I'd share my journey with you all.

Enjoy.

Dave.
IMG_2390.jpgIMG_2392.jpgIMG_2397.jpgIMG_2399.jpgIMG_2409.jpgIMG_2410.jpgIMG_2412.jpgIMG_2413.jpgIMG_2395.jpg

[orraloon]

I like the mirror trick to see when you get to the line on the other side. I will be stealing that one. I cant guess the mystery yet. Keep up the good work.
Regards
John

[Uncle Al]

Interesting looking project. I know that all will be revealed eventually, but can you let us know what timber you are using please?
Reason for asking is that I am making an item in an unknown timber, and it looks very similar to yours. I will elaborate about my project in a week or so as it is supposed to be a surprise.

Thanks,
Alan...

[Christos]

An interesting one to watch.

[Bespoken]

The timbers I'm using are Australian red cedar (the first part of the project, with the dovetails, is this), and Tasmanian myrtle for the rest.
There is also some details in silky oak involved, and huon pine.

I'm mainly a carver, so have had brief and frustrating contact with red cedar. I'm repeatedly pleasantly surprised by how lovely and strong it is to work with for joinery!

...Dave

[Bespoken]

Apologies for the slow updates. I'm fitting this project in to spare time, and that is a rare commodity lately.

I've completed 2 more sets of dovetails. In the interest of mystery I don't have photos of the project with all 3 sets all assembled.
But the 3rd set were twice the thickness. And the dovetails are only part of the joinery for that part.

IMG_2585.jpgIMG_2583.jpgIMG_2586.jpgIMG_2587.jpgIMG_2588.jpgIMG_2589.jpgIMG_2591.jpg

Thanks for watching.

..Dave

(p.s. Check out my profile for some more of my amateur furniture making)

[AlexS]

These are looking good, watching with interest.

[Sawdust Maker]

I like the mirror trick to see when you get to the line on the other side. I will be stealing that one. I cant guess the mystery yet. Keep up the good work.
Regards
John

mirror
great idea
stolen
by me as well

[artme]

Yep. Looking very good!! Like the mirror trick too!

Hope you get it finished in time for the birthday.

[Bespoken]

IMG_2592.jpgIMG_2593.jpgIMG_2594.jpgIMG_2616.jpgIMG_2617.jpg
Been a while since my last update. I finished off the 4th set of dovetails. Credits must go to John Tetreault for offering some inspiration
(http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/...ding-dovetails )
IMG_2625.jpg

[Christos]

Thank you for the latest update. I am still following the work in progress.

[Bespoken]

IMG_2618.jpgIMG_2619.jpgIMG_2620.jpgIMG_2621.jpgIMG_2622.jpgIMG_2623.jpgIMG_2624.jpgIMG_2627.jpgIMG_2628.jpgIMG_2631.jpgIMG_2632.jpgIMG_2634.jpg
Here are the rest of the progress shots from recent weeks (mostly yesterday).

After I've finished the 4 sets of dovetails, I decided to cut one of the housings for the shelf. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Now I'm thinking I need to re-evaluate how the shelf attaches to the sides, as it's meant to be bracing (i.e. holding the long case sides in).
C'mon brain, this is where you help me out!

[NCArcher]

Now I'm thinking I need to re-evaluate how the shelf attaches to the sides, as it's meant to be bracing (i.e. holding the long case sides in).
C'mon brain, this is where you help me out!

Sliding dovetail ?

[Sawdust Maker]

Sliding dovetail ?

[Bespoken]

Sliding dovetail ?

I did wonder about a sliding dovetail, but it's into red cedar that's only 10mm thick, so I didn't know if that would give enough strength for the tension on the shelf. Also the shelf is ideally going to be thin - veneered to maybe 5-6mm - so I wasn't confident in my ability to make the tail on the shelf.

If the experts think it's possible, though.... Willing to consider more seriously.