The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

Trays for specimens

Specimen cabinets and trays (244:7) fall into two classes; (a) those intended for reference and research purposes where the individual specimens can be removed for first-hand inspection; (b) those intended for viewing only, with air-tight, dustproof and/or thief-proof protection in museums and public galleries. The latter are special fittings calling for precision manufacture, and 244 refers only to those normally made by furniture-makers for private collectors, or the occasional 'one off for special display purposes. Whichever type they are, however, the trays should be close fitting as in drawer-work and interchangeable throughout.

Coin trays

These are made up in the usual manner with grooved-in plywood bottoms which are velvet - lined. Separate recesses for each coin are bored with a suitable expansion bit, and a smaller hole bored through the centre to allow the finger-tip to be inserted from underneath to tip the coin out of its recess (244:8). If the recess is shallow the velvet will usually stretch sufficiently to fit the depression, with the centre hole trimmed out with a sharp knife after the glue has set. The velvet can be laid with shoemakers' paste or other suitable adhesive as described in Table lining, Chapter 33, taking care to use only a minimum of glue and allowing it to set partially before the velvet is smoothed down. Cabinets for precious coins are normally provided with locking doors or hinged cover fillets at each side which can be locked in position (244:13).

Entomological trays

Trays for insects, etc. should be provided with glass dustproof covers which are made up as separate frames, veneer keyed at the corners (244:16); the inset shows the section. A rebate/ rabbet is worked on the tray sides (244:9), with a velvet puff or strip to form a dust seal, or both rebate and frame shaped as at 244:10. If the front and sides of the tray are of equal height a stopped rebate will be necessary at the front unless the dovetails are laid out as in 244:9, commencing with a half tail instead of a pin; but the tray sides can be lowered, the dovetails laid out in the usual manner (244:11), with the frame overhanging the sides as in 244:12. If the glazed frame is sunk all round, as in 244:9, finger-nail grips will have to be provided as 244:14. The beds of the trays are covered with a suitable antiseptic material, prepared peat or treated cork, etc., to allow the insects to be pinned

245 Coin collector's cabinet in Bombay rosewood and mahogany. Designed by H. S. Slan

through, and the glass frames screwed down in the rebates if necessary.

Cabinets for specimen trays are not normally fitted with individual drawer rails if the trays are shallow and numerous, and the tray sides can be grooved for side guides (244:4B). Tie rails may, however, be necessary at intervals of about 2 ft (609 mm) to prevent movement of the carcass sides in tall cabinets. Some method of stopping the individual trays from being fully withdrawn may have to be included, either as a precaution against loss, or to prevent a tray tipping out and spilling its contents. If the glass frames are screwed down in the tray rebates/rabbets the stopping mechanism will have to be installed from the back, with the carcass back either treated as a hinged door or easily removable, with small bolts screwed to the tray backs working in stopped slots grooved into the running guides. If the stopping mechanism can be fitted inside the trays then a simple brass pivot and screw plate can pass through the tray side to engage in the stopped slot (244:15). Rubber buffers may also have to be fitted to the back of the cabinet to cushion the shock of free - running trays. As already mentioned, the trays should be interchangeable, calling for very careful layout and assembly, and it is advisable to make up various jigs for cutting to length, jointing, etc. Assembly of both trays and frames can be done on a flat board, with another board screwed to it which is the exact inside dimension of the tray or frame. If the component parts are closely fitted to the inner board, and the material has been accurately machined, all units should be identical.