Featured Antique Commode/Chest Information

Haven't closely read all the posts, as am short on time. However, if the second drawer fits the third hole, what about the possibility of cutting this down to a 3 drawer chest? Not an ideal solution but maybe better than making a drawer that may not be right. …… JMHO.

 

Well, that could work if the drawers were not graduated but they are graduated, i.e. all the drawers are different widths. Still, if you reconfigured the drawer blades in front & runners in chest carass & cut the top down it could work but to me, that would be more work than simply building a new drawer.

 

Yes, that is what i would do, i don't see much of a choice even if you were to make it a 3 drawer chest as Brad suggested above.
There are literally hundreds of woodworking forums online all over the nation & i am betting you have a local one close to where you live, it's a very popular hobby among men. I have visited the shops of some of these hobbyist that build reproduction colonial furniture in Charlotte where i am and tell you what, some of them are pretty dang good.
Some only work with hand tools like the old days, some have home shops with power tools but they all have one thing in common, they love messing around with wood & building stuff in wood as a hobby.
These woodworker hobbyist join forums just like this one...............
If you haven't already, you need to start joining woodworker forums ......................

 

Another thought is, you can buy a custom made dovetailed drawer box in 5/8" solid maple online pretty cheap, $100 or so for size you would need.
https://www.barkerdoor.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DRAWERBOX-HARDMAPLE-DOVETAIL
It comes in 4 pieces and you assemble, naturally for the drawer front you would need to router the lines for the inlay which isn't a big deal.

And another that offers solid maple or birch drawer box
https://quikdrawers.com/drawer-boxes/custom-solid-wood-drawers?product_id=28035

 

I would add that we still don't know exactly what the primary wood species is on OP chest, I am guessing maple or birch, guessing won't do.
Measuring drawer box is another critical step, particularly if cockbeading drawer front.
Add all this up, you are back to a woodworker! lol

 

In for a penny............may as well discuss cockbeading a drawer box, advises to measure twice, cut once.

 

Nice video!

This has been a very interesting thread. Thanks to you and Barbara.

 

agree! tq @James Conrad for sharing your knowledge.

i think furniture woodworkers/carpenters are really amazing! my neighbour, who has passed away many years now, was one. he made all the beds we sleep in: steady and solid as a rock

 

Yes, very educational on James' part!