An unusually interesting piece of furniture, especially for a small apartment, is the combination chest of drawers and desk illustrated in Figs. 23 and 24. What appears to be the top drawer is a well appointed desk when pulled out.

The simple construction brings the project easily within the range of the amateur cabinetmaker. It may be made of birch, maple, oak or mahogany.

Fig. 23. - Chest with desk compartment open.

Make the ends a (Fig. 24) of 3/8-in. plywood. Glue and brad in place at both the back and front of a the 7/8 by 7/8 in. pieces b, which are cut to lengths equaling the height of the drawers. Leave ¾-in. spaces between pieces b to receive drawer partitions c and drawer ledges d as indicated. Joint (plane) the front edge of each sidepiece and glue front facings e in place. The facings should be ¾ by 1¼ by 38 1/8 in. and extend to the floor. Two 2½-in. square blocks or false legs z should be fitted to support the back of the case and receive the rear end of the base.

Fig. 24. - Front view of the chest partly broken away to show a section through the end: a sectional view through the center from front to back showing drawers and desk slide.

Cut drawer partitions c, ¾ by 2½ by 35¼ in., to fit exactly inside of ends a. Place these together and cut all shoulders to fit around facings e at once to insure accuracy. Assemble the case, fitting a back / of %-in. sheathing or plywood. Be sure the case is square. Make top g of solid wood, work a thumb molding on the edge, nail it in place, and miter a cavetto (stock cove molding) under it.

Make the drawer fronts, sides, bottoms and backs as indicated at h, allowing 1/16 in. less in length of front to aid in fitting. Make the desk drawer sides k ¾ by 6 3/8 by 17 in., fit the pigeonhole top l and the bottom m, ¼ by 9 by 32½ in., by means of rabbets into k; fit the partitions n and the shelves of ¼-in. wood between I and m and fasten all with brads. Make the arch spandrels 0 ¼ in. thick, each of one piece, and fit them with their faces flush with fronts of Im 0. Fasten the ¼-in. back to1 in place.

Make lids w and x; fit and fasten them to k as shown. The front of each of the middle drawers p and r may be made by fitting the sides in front by means of a rabbet and cutting the back between the sides, which should be ¼ in. thick; the bottom is bradded to their bottom edges. The ¼-in. sides s of the secret compartment support the drawer r.

Make the % in. thick base, mold the top edge, miter it, draw the design, and have the profile cut by a band saw if possible. Sandpaper the piece thoroughly and fasten it in place with glue, brads and glue blocks y.

Fit broad flap hinges to join w and x. Fasten a chain support to desk lid x and a hook to hold the lid in place when the drawer is closed. Bore holes to receive the drawer pulls and fit the locks and escutcheons.

Sandpaper all surfaces thoroughly.

Finish in natural color, or stain if preferred. Give three thin coats of white or orange shellac, rub between coats with No. 4/0 sandpaper, and polish with wax.