INSTRUCTOR: Craig Labenz, Artisan
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Pennsylvania Federal Step-Back Cupboard
The original cupboard that inspired this project was made in rural Pennsylvania in about 1825. This is a classic, regional cupboard form originally made from local walnut and poplar. The upper cupboard includes plate rails and notches for spoons — ideal for both display and storage. In this class, students will use mills, table saws, lathes and jeweler’s saws to make the cupboard in 1/12th scale. They’ll incorporate traditional joinery techniques throughout, such as rabbet joints, mortised hinges, and pegged mortise and tenon joints — using their own hand-pulled dowels. For the upper door, students will cut very thin, real glass for the door and apply dividers. During class students will use dyes and shellac to achieve the aged walnut look of the original cupboard and will use aging solutions to add patina to the brass hardware. This class is intended for intermediate students and will be challenging because of the fine details in the case construction.
TIME: 48 Hours. Completion is likely. Students can expect to finish the case construction and much of the finish in class. Because of drying times, some final finishing and hardware application might need to be completed at home.
POWER TOOLS: Table saw, drill press, lathe, shaper/mill
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
MATERIALS FEE: $150 to be collected at school