The wardrobe or clothes closet shown in the accompanying sketch and
detail drawing will be found a great convenience in a bedroom where
closet space is limited or where there is no closet at all. It provides
ample room for hanging suits, dresses and other wearing apparel, as well
as space for boots and shoes. It can be made of any of the several
furniture woods in common use, but quarter-sawed oak will be found to
give the most pleasing effect. The stock should be ordered from the mill
ready cut to length, squared and sanded. In this way much labor will be
saved. The following pieces will be needed:
4 posts, 1-3/4 by 1-3/4 by 64-1/2 in., S-4-S.
2 front rails, 3/4 by 1-1/2 by 37-1/2 in., S-4-S.
1 top and 1 bottom board, each 3/4 by 18-1/2 by 37 in., S-4-S.
1 top back rail, 3/4 by 4-1/4 by 37-1/2 in., S-4-S.
1 lower back rail, 3/4 by 4 by 37-1/2 in., S-4-S.
6 end rails, 3/4 by 6 by 18-1/2 in., S-4-S.
4 end uprights, 3/4 by 4 by 22-1/2 in., S-4-S.
8 end panels, 3/8 by 7-1/2 by 22-1/2 in., S-4-S.
5 shelves, 3/4 by 17-3/4 by 19-1/2 in., S-4-S.
2 drawer fronts, 3/4 by 4-3/4 by 8-1/2 in., S-4-S.
1 door, 3/4 by 7-3/4 by 10 in., S-4-S.
1 shelf partition, 3/4 by 10 by 19 in., S-4-S.
2 drawer fronts, 3/4 by 7 by 17 in., S-4-S.
1 drawer front, 3/4 by 8 by 17 in., S-4-S.
1 partition (several pieces), 3/4 by 19-1/2 by 57-3/4 in., S-4-S.
4 door uprights, 3/4 by 2-1/2 by 57 in., S-4-S.
2 top rails, 3/4 by 3-1/2 by 14-1/2 in., S-4-S.
2 middle rails, 3/4 by 6 by 14-1/2 in., S-4-S.
2 lower rails, 3/4 by 4-1/2 by 14-1/2 in., S-4-S.
4 center uprights, 3/4 by 2-1/2 by 23 in., S-4-S.
8 panels, 3/8 by 6 by 22-1/2 in., S-4-S.
4 pieces, 3/8 by 4-3/4 by 19 in., soft wood.
2 pieces, 3/8 by 8 by 19 in., soft wood.
2 pieces, 3/8 by 4-1/4 by 8 in., soft wood.
4 pieces, 1/2 by 7 by 19 in., soft wood.
3 pieces, 1/2 by 16-1/2 by 19 in., soft wood.
2 pieces, 1/2 by 6-1/2 by 16-1/2 in., soft wood.
2 pieces, 1/2 by 8 by 19 in., soft wood.
1 piece, 1/2 by 7-1/2 by 16-1/2 in., soft wood.
1 back (several pieces), 3/8 by 36 by 58 in., S-2-S.
[Illustration: The Wardrobe Complete]
First be sure the posts are perfectly square and of equal length. The
upper ends can be chamfered or rounded if desired. The two front posts
are alike, as are the back ones. The mortises should be laid out in each
pair of posts and then cut with a sharp chisel, or they can be left
until the tenons are all made, and then marked and cut from each tenon.
Grooves should be cut on one side of all the posts to take the end
panels.
The front and lower back rails are plain except for the tenons at each
end, but the end rails and the center uprights should have grooves cut
for the panels the same as the posts. The top back rail serves as a top
back board and should have the corners rounded as shown in the detail
drawing.
The frame can now be assembled. Glue should be used on all the joints as
it makes them much stiffer. Be careful to get the frame together
perfectly square, or it will be hard to fit the doors and the shelves.
The top and bottom boards should have the corners cut to clear the
posts. The closet is divided into two compartments by a partition. This
can be made of plain boards or panels similar to those in the ends, as
desired. Place the shelves in position as shown. They are held in place
by means of cleats and screws. The one shelf has a partition in its
center with a door on one side and two small drawers on the other.
Drawers should be fitted to three of the other compartments. They are
made in the usual manner except that the front boards should be cut out
at the top for a handhold as shown.
The doors are fitted by a tenon and mortise joint at the ends. They
have a centerpiece and panels to match the ends of the closet. Suitable
hinges and a catch should be supplied. These can be purchased at any
hardware store.
[Illustration: Detail of the Wardrobe]
The backing is put on in the usual manner. It should be finished on the
front side.
When complete, the closet should be carefully gone over with fine
sandpaper and all glue and rough spots removed. Apply stain of the
desired color. This may be any of the many mission stains supplied by
the trade for this purpose.