Day 368

After using standard rolling drawer slides, we found these really nice ball-bearing style. They open in 3 sections with an ultra smooth feel. Because the slides are encased, oiling them will prolong their life. These sliders are intended ( we think ) to be mounted as standard slides on the sides of the drawer. We, of course trying to be different, decided to mount them on the bottom. They are probably weaker this way, but the drawers Gena's fitting here are relatively short so shouldn't be a problem.

Galley drawer boxes

Back frame for TV stand

Between each drawer, being on a boat, there should be a divider to attach locking latches to. I suppose side latches would work with no separation, but close drawers tend to jam on each other from "stuff" piling up. I imagine this would be the case from heeling over.

Mounting the slides this way also makes the positioning a lot easier. They must be exact ( and we're no experts! ) in a flush face scenario or they will look pretty bad.

In the photo to the left, the drawers have been assembled. If they look crooked, it's not because Gena is a poor carpenter, it's the fact that everything is crooked on a boat! The non-square edges are to match the direction of the counter along the hull vs. the counter along the bulkhead. If they were left straight, when opened they would hit the other counter before fully opened. Well done!

The faces will be as thick as the cupboard frame facing, so they were aligned using that thickness to come flush on each side.

Meanwhile in my end of the boat, the back framing for the TV stand was being contrapted. I just had to route the board in so a length of ply would push into it, hiding any rough plywood edges. With the quality of plywood waning, and the surface thickness thinning, it's totally necessary to hide the cut edge.

The rest of the frame that will hold the lexan sheet over the screen was routed and added today. I became a little tricky as I had over cut one corner, but the mistake was hidden quickly and efficiently with a 1/8" thick chunk with matching grain. Lucky me!

Another thing I noticed was the end being white ( photo left ) This will need to be fixed with a small cut of ply to fit. The TV will be in there but won't totally cover that end. The lexan is highly reflective and the portlights raise some concern as an annoying light source. After slapping myself on the head I remembered we probably won't be sitting inside the boat watching TV during the day, missing the wonderful world around us! Silly!

Nea

There it is, mostly finished, - except for the bottom corner sharpness that is missing a chunk. One thing I can really say about wood work, it's very rewarding and somewhat addictive. My main driving force is getting to the stain and finishing stages. I simply love the look of glossy smooth finished wood.

Don't we all?

The faces on the drawers have been glued on with a dab of Gorilla glue to hold the alignment temporarily until they can be opened and screwed on. We will probably leave these faces plain and smooth.

Once again the latch dilemma has come to haunt us.
My custom latches ( using brass rod and handles ) can't be used here as it's a high "rub zone" with hips and legs and close quarters. We have found some brass rotating latches that surface mount, and some locally available slide latches. Either would work, and are the same price. We'll see...