Need some advise from experienced woodworkers

[Fyrme]

I have been commissioned by to repurpose a 1927 buffet into a bathroom vanity which I will be installing in a 1928 bathroom remodel I'm working on. The sink will be getting cut into the original wood top and the drawers will be getting modified to work around the sink but only lose minimum useable space. As you can see by the pics, There is a top drawer that spans the entire width of the cabinet. What I want to do is cut it into three parts and make the center section stationary and have a drawer on either side. My biggest concern is getting the visible cuts made in the face of the drawer. What method would yield the best results? Jig saw, bandsaw? Or something else? Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[bkcorwin]

Here is a thread from about 4 years ago where a member at contractortalk.com similarly turned a cabinet into a sink base but instead of chopping it up as you propose, which I think would be difficult to make look right, he reshaped the inside of the drawer.

http://www.contractortalk.com/f13/dont-need-no-stinkin-tiltout-63452/

This is more the approach I would take and avoids messing up finished surfaces.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The drawer front looks like it's veneered - no matter what method you use I'd recommended scoring the line with a sharp knife first, and/or putting tape on it to minimize splintering. I think bkcorwin's idea of simply reshaping the inside of the drawer may make more sense, and then the front is untouched.

How big is the sink bowl, is there just one in the middle or will there be two bowls?

 

[Dan_inthewind]

Did some what the same but I used a 1905 dresser. Top drawer was a full run like yours is. I ran two rails inside making the drawer one piece with three internal sections. Then I cutout the center section so is allowed the drawer to pass the sink. Both outer sections worked as drawers but with one front. This kept the original design intact, kept the structure strong and still allowed the sink to be sunk into the top. I will look for pictures but we have since moved and may not have pictures. Good luck with your project.

LoL, just checked the link from above. That is what I was trying to explain. My rails basically divided front to back so I ended up with three sections but same idea.

 

[Garage Coffee Roaster]

x3 as per the link.

That is a nice Buffet. Is there a manufacture stamp on it?

 

[turbowoodworker]

BKcorwin has the right idea. Do Not Cut the drawer front. Take the drawer front off, rebuild or make new side drawers that would open in tandem. They will be shallow and hold minimal weight anyway. It will be hard to mask the cut lines on such a nice front.

 

[pattenp]

If you decide to cut the face, using a band saw would be best because of the thin kerf of the blade. Also cut with the face up to prevent tear out.

 

[Fyrme]

Thanks for the link and the input guys. The buffet is a Excel MFG. The owner did some research. I think they went out of business in '27. And, yes, it is a very cool piece. Once I cut in the bowl and modify the drawers, it will get painted black but leaving the scroll work and clover leaf the stained wood color. The center piece on the top drawer is a brass inlay

 

[BFBOB]

PAINTED??!! And BLACK!?

That's the kind of **** Salvage Dawgs would do. Please tell us the owner is forcing you to do this, against your will and all reason!

There are two natural parting lines on that drawer, since it's made to look like multi drawers in the first place. I agree, cut with a bandsaw, permanently attach the center section, and then you.ll have a drawer on each side. They will probably be too wide to clear the sink, so you'll still have to reshape the insides to clear it.

Since painting it will make it look like hell anyway, why not just put one of those miserably ugly, though oh, so trendy, surface mounted bowls on? Then there's only the drain to contend with.

 

[Fyrme]

BFBOB, how do you really feel about it?

I have only been hired to cut the sink in and modify the drawers. She, the owner, is doing the painting. It's not my house and not my remodel. She is paying me to do what SHE wants done.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Cut the drawer face where it makes sense, and don't try to make them the same size as the actual drawers.

 

[lilredex]

Have to agree with BFBOB......leave that one intact and get a piece of "junk" to paint black. Too nice to destroy!!

 

[Garage Coffee Roaster]

Sometimes that is the hardest thing about a job: keeping our mouths shut about the customers plans.

Jim

 

[Fyrme]

Yes it is.

 

[bczygan]

Do NOT cut or paint it! It's too nice.

Get one of those artistic stand alone sink bowls that sit on top of the surface. Find one that drains out the rear and has feet that allow it to sit on top that fine piece of furniture. All plumbing will be exposed and needs to be a fine finish.

Have a 1/4" piece of glass cut for the top to protect it. Set the glass on 6 or 8 felt pads.

If you do anything to the furniture, let it be minimal. Sit it on some thin plastic feet so the tips of the feet don't get wet.

Let it be something to put things on and in, but keep it original.

 

[Fyrme]

Guys, I appreciate the desire to save this piece of furniture. However, it is not mine, nor my decision. She searched for months to find what she wanted at the dimensions needed. It's future has been determined. About the only thing I can do is set it in place after I convert it and see if she MIGHT consider leaving it with the original finish, but that is doubtful. But really will it matter? The top will have a huge hole in it and the drawers will be modified. So painting it is the least of the worries at that point. Again, this is not my piece. I appreciate the help in the earlier post on how to go about doing what needs to be done.

 

[jhelrey]

Are you trying to keep the drawer? If not, just remove the face and attached it without the drawer guts.

 

[bczygan]

Show her this thread.
Most people have no idea of other options or methods. No holes need be cut and a clear finish might look way better.
That big a black item is very bad design. Black needs to be used sparingly in interior design.

What other colors and finishes are in the room?

 

[dogmir]

I vote for not cutting the drawer face. Once that is cut there is now going back. I would use the suggestion made early in the thread to make three compartments and remove the drawer bottom in the middle section. To be honest I would do it a tad different that that also. I would do something like the image below. Would be super easy and quick. rip some stock that is the depth of the drawer to form the side drawers. Glue them in and pin the from the bottom and back. Then repeat to form the front drawer. When it is dry use a router with a flush trimming bit to remove the cutout for the sink. Should take you less than an hour and be very easy without have to risk damaging the drawer front. Most importantly can be reversed by adding new bottom down the road.

 

[Fyrme]

Show her this thread.
Most people have no idea of other options or methods. No holes need be cut and a clear finish might look way better.
That big a black item is very bad design. Black needs to be used sparingly in interior design.

What other colors and finishes are in the room?

Actually it will look very good as much as I hate to say. The bathroom is White 1" period correct hex tiles on the floor, white subways on the shower walls, charcoal grout, white wainscoting on the walls, light blue above the wainscoting and a white claw foot tub with chrome fixtures. It needs something to offset the white. And I'm not sure brown will do it. I won't know until I put it in the room. Then its her choice.

Are you trying to keep the drawer? If not, just remove the face and attached it without the drawer guts.

Yes trying to keep as much storage as possible. I think the link provided is spot on to what I will do.

 

[Fyrme]

I vote for not cutting the drawer face. Once that is cut there is now going back. I would use the suggestion made early in the thread to make three compartments and remove the drawer bottom in the middle section. To be honest I would do it a tad different that that also. I would do something like the image below. Would be super easy and quick. rip some stock that is the depth of the drawer to form the side drawers. Glue them in and pin the from the bottom and back. Then repeat to form the front drawer. When it is dry use a router with a flush trimming bit to remove the cutout for the sink. Should take you less than an hour and be very easy without have to risk damaging the drawer front. Most importantly can be reversed by adding new bottom down the road.

View media item 34273

 

[Fyrme]

Here are some pics of the bathroom it's going in. Sorry I don't have a painted pic of the walls, nor have the floors been cleaned so they look very dirty. The vanity will be centered on that pvc drain and the receptacle will be inside the left cabinet door. Tub will be across from the vanity next to the shower where you see the plumbing in the floor.

 

[CTyankee]

Leaving the drawer as one unit and relieving for the sink makes sense. I don't find the piece particularly eye-appealing myself, and wouldn't hesitate to cut it or paint it in order to re-purpose it as a vanity if it fits the HO's needs...

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you decide to cut it, I'd want the finest tooth bade of whatever. I don't know how wide that drawer is but is the throat on your bandsaw deep enough to make the cut ?

I think keeping the drawer intact is the smartest thing to do.

 

[dogmir]

Fyrme I could see the image and still can but here is a different host.

 

[RickP]

For cutting the veneer on that drawer face, I'd actually use a hand saw. A thin cross cut saw would probably work best. Then you could use a power saw for the rest of the cuts.

 

[pendragon1998]

Here's another vote for a standing bowl style sink. Honestly, I think that would look more period than a drop in anyway. But whatever. People want what people want.

 

[Fyrme]

I just thought I'd do a quick update bump on this thread since so many of you were against painting this piece of furniture. I got it finished a few weeks ago and sent her several pics of it done. I also offered to sand and poly the top, IF, she decided not to paint it. Well, she decided to leave the original finish. The backsplash has been reattached but not pictured. We are currently searching for a mirror to match.

 

[Rust]

Nice work! That looks great.

 

[nehog]

Looks fantastic! Are you going to put a mirror in as well?

 

[Fyrme]

Yes me and the H.O. are both on the look out for a antique framed mirror that will match or compliment the vanity. Preferably oval but what ever we can find.

 

[stingry]

Good Job !!! Looks perfect.

Cheers
Steve

 

[alinc100]

That looks really good. if it is not too late I like to use a 2 part epoxy like west systems to make the areas around sink cutouts more water resistant.I do this on laminate countertops as well.Invariably water will get under the rim of the sink and g=begin to swell the wood underside. A couple coats of epoxy on the cut edges goes a long ,long way to minimize potential damage

 

[BFBOB]

Bravo!

You did a tremendous job - and good thought sending the client pictures finished before the black lagoon (see, making the right decision elevates her from customer to client)

I think it looks great in place. IMHO it's period correct in appearance; black would have been jarringly modern.

But you're right - after explaining why the customer is making a boneheaded decision, you have to go ahead and do what she says.

 

[ez-duzit]

Your drawer solution was a good one, as long as it operates smoothly and does not bind.

Had you chosen to separate the drawer fronts, a fine pitch Japanese saw would have been the best tool to avoid chipping the veneer and to create a minimal gap.

 

[Fyrme]

Thanks for all the comments guys. Couldn't have done it without some advice.

After cutting into this thing, there is an apples to oranges comparison of the quality of veneer from the mid 20's vs. today's veneers. The top and faces are a heavy veneer and the top layer is 1/8" thick, compare that to the 1mm you get now days. The drawer frames are made of what seems like a 1/2 thick solid Luan. Very rigid but very light. The drawer is no less rigid now than it was full framed. Maybe even more so.

 

[Fyrme]

That looks really good. if it is not too late I like to use a 2 part epoxy like west systems to make the areas around sink cutouts more water resistant.I do this on laminate countertops as well.Invariably water will get under the rim of the sink and g=begin to swell the wood underside. A couple coats of epoxy on the cut edges goes a long ,long way to minimize potential damage

Well it's kinda too late as in, I'm not taking it back apart. But I did go the extra distance and sealed the cut edge with Polyurethane and siliconed the **** out of the sink lip. I think as long as she doesn't just let water set, it should be fine.

 

[leadfootloon]

That looks really nice. With that said I would of never cut up that gem. But good work looks awesome. Still sad.

 

[PugetDude]

Great job!
I'm really relieved you didn't have to paint it black, and it isn't even my project!

 

[rieferman]

Nice job!!!