I really hope you’ll try this! I will always “rather see a bad dresser get cut down and re-invented, than thrown out!”
Here are the re-inventions of—
(and the pictures I had of)
a couple of dressers, an old radio cabinet, a broken secretary, and curbie nightstands!
This particular dresser had a tiered design, so a reciprocating saw was the best tool for this job.
It’s slower to cut, and harder to get a good, straight line –but it’s easier to work around the projecting wood detail.
1st–remove the drawers and the backboard– only the sides should be left to cut off! Leaving the dresser top connected will keep the part you’re cutting off more stable–but you’ll probably want someone’s help holding things too! (It didn’t help that mine was on wheels!)
**Note that a reciprocating saw creates a lot of vibration, and can loosen the remaining frame of the dresser. So be prepared to re-glue, or add nails/screws from the inside to re-strengthen.
I knocked out the drawer spacer boards, 1) to make it easier to re-glue and screw the frame, and, 2) because the wood was stinky-dirty-gross! And that was another job for the reciprocating saw!
The following posts will show you the rest! Here and Here!
**A few thoughts on the Reciprocating Saw.
–I may not use this tool “all the time,” but when I need it—I need it! Absolutely a permanent tool in my arsenal—very easy to use!
–I keep a good supply of wood and metal blades on hand, it’s easier cutting with a good blade, and they can break–make sure you wear safety glasses!
–I originally bought an expensive battery-powered saw. But not using it frequently, it seemed like the battery was always too low to use when I needed it. And like most batteries, when left continually on the charger, they just don’t hold a charge long. So I bought a cheaper electric saw–and couldn’t see any difference in the performance of power.
I found a pair of mismatched nightstands on the curb as trash. They were both broken and missing parts—primarily drawers and tops.
Both had FLAT sides, so I was able to use a circular saw to cut off the upper sections.
The benefits—?
–It cuts a faster, straighter, cleaner line.
–It doesn’t “vibrate” your piece into loosening the joints.
–You can make simple cuts, or compound cuts.
I marked a line completely around the [outside] of each nightstand (just above the bottom drawer) using a framing square and Sharpie marker. This gave a good visual line to follow with the circular saw. I laid the cabinet on its side to make the cut, flipping it over as I worked around it.
Here, the same actions made to the other nightstand!
I’m sure both of these could have been cut down and made into something other than what I did—Storage Cabinets for Children!
But, ultimately, this is just to show you what you can do
with a good imagination
and the right tool!
Catherine
–What’s in your toolbox?–
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Once the temps warmed enough, I headed outside to continue working on the last details of the greenhouse.
And I like to decorate the Christmas tree with dried hydrangea heads. So when I could do no more for the day–I grabbed the hand pruner and worked my way through the hydrangea garden!
