Spice Chest - The Woodcrafter Page©; 2004

Spice Chest
and Planter
Here is the original article from the
September - October 1955 Deltagram
ROCKWELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY - A DELTACRAFT PULICATION

Submtted by ROBERT H. DAUGHERTY

Here is a practical spice chest and planter of Pennsylvania Dutch design. The six handy drawers hold the most used spices, conveniently for the housewife. The plant compartment holds a few small potted plants which will brighten any kitchen.
Knotty pine, 3/8 inches thick, is used throughout the entire cabinet except for the drawer bottoms. You can re-saw four quarter stock and finish dressing it down to 3/8 inches on your jointer. The back measures 11-3/8 inches wide and is made up of two pieces glued together.
The slots for the drawer separators in the side pieces are dadoed on the saw before they are cut to shape-see Photo #2. The sides are next ripped on the saw to the curve mark (Photo #3), and the curved portions are then cut on either the scroll or band saw (Photo #4). The back piece and front trim are both cut on the scroll saw (Photo #5). The edges on the base and front planter pieces are moulded on the drill press, using the No. D-4 3-lip shaper cutter.
The drawers have rabbet joints on both the front and the back, which are nailed and glued together. 1/8 inch plywood or pressed wood is used for the drawer bottoms. Small brass knobs are screw fastened in the center of each drawer.
Sand the project well and stain with a colonial- maple oil stain. Let dry overnight and apply two thin coats of white shellac, sanding between coats with 1-0 garnet paper. For a satin finish, use 3-0 steel wool after the last coat of Shellac and apply paste wax.

Bill of Materials

No. of Pieces	Name	Size
2	Side	3/8 x 6 x 18-13/16
1	Back	3/8 x 11½ x 23-5/8
7	Front	3/8 x 3-5/8 x 12¾
1	Front Trim	3/8 x 2¼ x 11½
2	Top and Bottom Drawer Supports	3/8 x 4-1/8 x 11½
1	Center Upright	3/8 x 4-1/8 x 9-7/6
4	Drawer Separators	3/8 x 4-1/8 x 5-13/16
6	Drawer Fronts	3/8 x 3 x 5½
6	Drawer Backs	3/8 x 2-5/8 x 5
12	Drawer Sides	3/8 x 3 x 3-7/8
6	Drawer Bottoms	1/8 x 3½ x 5-1/8
6	Drawer Knobs (Brass)	½" dia. face

(Photo No. 4)
Finish sawing of curved sections is made on the band saw using a 3/16 inch skip tooth far a smooth cut.

(Photo No. 5)
The curved portions of the back and front trim pieces are made on the scroll saw, using a #92 blade with the saw running at its highest speed or 1725 rpm.

(Photo No. 6)
The edges of the base and front planter box section are shaped on the drill press with the No D-4 cutter mounted on the adapter which is fastened into the router spindle. The drill press should run on its highest speed.

*********** WARNING***********
Read my page on safety before building this item.