Cannikin Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 I'm about to start building the drawers for my dresser and found some beautiful quatersawn Douglas Fir at the local lumber yard. I was originally planning on going with Maple, but they only carry plain sawn. The dresser is for my son (due in 3 months!) I'd love it if this thing lasted long enough to use with his kids! Any strong opinions either way on using Douglas Fir for drawers? I've never tried, but it's always listed along with stuff like Maple, Poplar, Hickory, etc. as great secondary woods for drawers and the like. The dresser itself is Sapele, which is a close cousin of Mahogany and will finish similarly. Here are some photos of the Douglas Fir pretending to be a drawer side and some detail of the grain. I doubt that it's old growth, but those are some tight rings! And the dresser itself: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renzo Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 Hi I can't really offer any advice, but i just wanted to tell you the dresser looks fantastic and i'm sure will last decades! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 From Janke hardness: Douglas-fir, coast--------------Pseudotsuga menziesii---3.2-----710 Douglas-fir. interior west------Pseudotsuga menziesii-- 2.9-----660 Douglas-fir, interior north-----Pseudotsuga menziesii-- 2.7-----600 Douglas-fir, interior south-----Pseudotsuga menziesii-- 2.3-----510 yellow poplar-------------------Liriodendron tulipifera-2.4-----540 Since poplar is the usual secondary wood, I think you're in the safe range. For future reference and to learn more about how the tests are done http://www.sizes.com/units/janka.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sac Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 That dresser looks amazing... I think that the pine will be OK. I think that it will look great too. I just made a bench base using Southern Yellow Pine and I liked the very straight lines as well. Vic, thanks for the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 I'm about to start building the drawers for my dresser and found some beautiful quatersawn Douglas Fir at the local lumber yard. I was originally planning on going with Maple, but they only carry plain sawn. The dresser is for my son (due in 3 months!) I'd love it if this thing lasted long enough to use with his kids! Any strong opinions either way on using Douglas Fir for drawers? I've never tried, but it's always listed along with stuff like Maple, Poplar, Hickory, etc. as great secondary woods for drawers and the like. The dresser itself is Sepele, which is a close cousin of Mahogany and will finish similarly. Here are some photos of the Douglas Fir pretending to be a drawer side and some detail of the grain. I doubt that it's old growth, but those are some tight rings! And the dresser itself: In an effort to answer your question, I forgot to tell you, LOVE the book matched side that shows! Way to use your lumber!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannikin Posted August 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 Thanks guys! I actually cheated on those sides -- that's Sapele ply. The dresser itself is from the Dec08/Jan09 issue of Wood: http://www.woodstore.net/is188de20.html I modified the design into a side-by-side from the tall 5-drawer version. I've got the whole thing in Sketchup if anyone is interested. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 Thanks guys! I actually cheated on those sides -- that's Sapele ply. The dresser itself is from the Dec08/Jan09 issue of Wood: http://www.woodstore.net/is188de20.html I modified the design into a side-by-side from the tall 5-drawer version. I've got the whole thing in Sketchup if anyone is interested. That's even better, in my opinion. Why use solid wood on things that readily lend themselve to conservation of a species. +1!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sac Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 I've got the whole thing in Sketchup if anyone is interested. If you would like, you can add it to the new Sketchup Library.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenaissanceWW Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 I have used Doug Fir on drawer sides before and it was a pleasure. No problems at all except that the seasonal growth rings can throw a chisel off due to their varying hardness if you are hand cutting the dovetails. Not a big deal and you can get used to it. I built the piece that used this wood about 5 years ago and it is still running smooth with no noticeable wear. Granted 5 years is really nothing but just an FYI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannikin Posted August 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 I have used Doug Fir on drawer sides before and it was a pleasure. No problems at all except that the seasonal growth rings can throw a chisel off due to their varying hardness if you are hand cutting the dovetails. Not a big deal and you can get used to it. I built the piece that used this wood about 5 years ago and it is still running smooth with no noticeable wear. Granted 5 years is really nothing but just an FYI. Sweet, thanks for the info. I plan on doing all the dovetails by hand so thanks for the heads up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nateswoodworks Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 When you look at how long some pine furniture has been around I would say you will be fine, and being quartersawn will help as well. I got a bunch of QS Fir a number of years ago when the school in town replaced the bleachers, seats and footboards are all 5/4 12" boards. The seats were glued up but the footboards are one wide board and they were in the school for almost 50yrs with a lot of use, that should help answer your question about the stability. Looks very nice. Nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlloydparks Posted August 13, 2010 Report Share Posted August 13, 2010 Douglas Fir works great as a secondary wood. It also makes a nice workbench material as well. The QS stuff is even that much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatball Posted August 13, 2010 Report Share Posted August 13, 2010 Wow! That is beautiful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted August 13, 2010 Report Share Posted August 13, 2010 Very nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elimelech12 Posted August 24, 2010 Report Share Posted August 24, 2010 I would definitely love to see the sketchup on this...please add!!! Great job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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