A New Project - "The Ultimate Blanket Chest"

After I have the 2nd course done, I decide I will assemble those two levels and then work on the third.    I install the 5/32" slot cutter to cut some biscuits.
	I use the RouterRaizer™ to set the slot cutter height at the mid-point.
I align the fence with the pattern bearing. I am ready to make biscuit slots.
	I have made a story pole for the sides and another one for the ends. I want all the biscuits to line up easily.
You can see the biscuits in place. The end panels are resting on their biscuits.
	I spread glue over all the surfaces of the cornerpost.
I am lucky that this is a day when Sal is here. Getting each course in place is much easier with an extra set of hands. We found that we had to join the four sides and then we could ease the assembled section onto the biscuits.
	They say that you can never have enough clamps. This is certainly true in this glue-up. Thankfully, the pieces were so well jointed that very little pressure was needed to bring the boards together.    At this point, three courses are assembled — one to go.
Another fine day here, and it is time for me to start sanding the finished chest. Even with all the exactness of the joints, I have to even out some corners — thankfully, not more than a hair's width. The belt sander does a fine job, and makes a lot of dust — even with the built in vacuum. This wood has very fine sawdust. The dust mask is a must.
	Once all the sides are absolutely level, I switch to the orbital sander and sand to grade 220.
When I started this project, I had no idea how I would make the base or the top. In fact, I really thought I would do it just as I did the pine chest last year.    As I was doing the final sanding, it occurred to me that the top needs some excitement too — but not too much.    A laid down a fresh piece of paper and drew the dimensions. I decided that I would make a 2 1/2" frame of walnut...add a 3/16" strip of maple, and have the center section made up of mahogany boards.
	I made a quick trip to my hardwood source, and now I am back bringing the boards to the right, smooth thickness.
An hour and a half later, and I have my boards to the right thickness and very smooth.