Chipman Oxbow Chests Making Tops & Drop Finials Step 8

Time to get started on the tops of the chests.  First I mill the material from a set of book matched mahogany boards.

I hand plane them because I do not have a jointer that is wider than 8 inches and these boards are 15 inches each.

Once I get them flat, I glue them up and cut them to size 23 1/2 x 39 inches.  Then I trace the pattern on the front edge using a template I made in the beginning for the bottom molding.

Then I saw out the pattern with a jig saw and clean it up so it is smooth for the router bearing.

Then I run it across the router table and put an ogee on the edge. It takes 5 passes, going deeper with each pass.
 

Then I clean up the routed edge to get it ready to carve the "baby butt corners". I have a video from the last time I made these and it shows in great detail how to make these. It is here

Curved Blockfront Dressing Table Carving Baby Butt Corner Step 25

Here are a few pictures of the process.

Now the tops are completed and they look good.

One more construction detail to work on is the drop finial on the bottom molding. I have a cardboard template for the shape.

It has some complex curves.   The pattern is cut out on a band saw. Then the curve that matches the top of the bracket feet is cut across the edge to made a curved front.

Then a curve across the bottom molding where it will be glued on.

After gluing on the drop finial, I sanded the entire piece through 100, 120, 150 and 180 grit sand paper.
 

Now I am ready for finishing. I experimented with several dyes before settling on a color and process..

 Here is a sample of what it should look like when finished.

Next step is to glue up the drawers and get ready for the finishing.

Here is today's video: