Fig. 209. Drawer for table and table for mechanical drawing
After the description of mission furniture construction in previous chapters, only a few points in the construction need be mentioned.
The board a, used as a foot rest, is necessary when sitting at the table on account of its height, and it also ties the frame together in the front. The cross rail b acts in the same capacity at the back.
The heavy pine top is "built up" like a drawing board of several pieces, and supported by two cleats 3 × 1⁄8 inches across the grain underneath. It may be attached to the frame by any one of the methods described under mission furniture, and its left-hand edge should be as true as that of the drawing board.
If an especially accurate edge is desired, a piece of iron 1 × 1⁄4 inch, planed straight by a machinist, may be let into this edge, as shown in the drawing, and secured by flat-head screws through holes drilled and countersunk. This arrangement is seldom seen, but it is well worth the added cost.
The table shown is provided with a generous-sized drawer. This may be omitted, but is a great convenience for keeping plans and sketches. Its construction is shown in detail. The sides and front have a 1⁄4-inch groove, ploughed to receive the bottom, and at the back end a vertical groove is cut to hold the back piece which is dadoed to fit.
At the top of each side is nailed a strip 5⁄16 inch square. These cleats are to retain the strips s. Make these strips s of hard wood, preferably ash, and about 1⁄16 inch longer than the width of drawer, measured inside.
By placing the strips on top of drawings obliquely, and then straightening them across the drawer, they bind against the sides, and keep drawings down flat. The cleats at top of drawer prevent them from escaping at the top, especially when it becomes nearly full.
The extra front on the drawer with rounded edges covers up the joints around front of box, and is a purely ornamental feature. If this is used, secure to real front by flat-head screws from the inside.