The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

PEDESTAL LOCKING ACTIONS

Locking actions for pedestal drawers, in which the locking of one drawer—usually at the top— automatically secures all the other drawers in the pedestal, were usually effected by incor­porating a spring-loaded vertical sliding bar at the rear of the carcass. Arms or pegs were attached to the bar which engaged in slots cut in the drawer sides, and a sloping ramp cut into the top drawer side automatically raised all the pegs and thus released all the other drawers as the top drawer was partially withdrawn, while if the drawer was pushed fully home then a back spring attached to the bar pulled the pegs down into the slots. The disadvantages of this older method are obvious, and improved types are shown in 268 in which the throw of the desk lock itself actuates the pegs. Both are particular types of pedestal locking actions. 268:1 shows one variety in which the throw of the lock rotates a cog which engages in a metal rack so that the slider with its pegs (268:3A) is forced downwards, releasing the drawers. The cylinder of the lock is mortised into the edge of the carcass side (268:2) and held in position with a pronged plate (268: IB) mortised in from the side, while the metal slider moves freely behind two or more metal strips (268:1 A) which are recessed in and screwed to the inner carcass face. Slots are cut into the bottom of the drawer sides (268:3) and corresponding slots in the drawer rails (X) in the elevation (268:5) to accommodate the travel. The exact position and number of the pegs must be clearly detailed when ordering as there are no standard dimensions. For the small user not ordering in quantity the other lock (268:4) is more suitable, as the pegs are freely adjustable and can be fixed at the required distances by turning the slotted heads. This particular type of lock is mortised into the knee-hole side of the pedestal at a convenient distance under the top (268:6). Both these locks must be ordered right or left hand, and in both also the metal slider (268:1 A, 4A) can be recessed in flush as 268:2, or face screwed as 268:5 in which case drawer guides (Y, Y) must be fitted to fill the gap. As with all fittings of a specialist nature the unit should be designed round the fitting rather than the fitting laboriously altered to fit an arbitrary design. Other types of these locks are available, and the designer should consult the catalogue of his usual supplier for further details.

ESCUTCHEONS (KEY-PLATES)

Constant use of a key in a lock can scar the wood surface and escutcheons are, therefore, both decorative and utilitarian. Figure 269:1 shows the usual pattern thread escutcheon split at the base and pressed into an appropriate hole in the drawer front; the slight spring offered by the split grips the wood, and the shape of the hole can be marked out by placing the escutcheon in position and smartly tapping with a hammer. Figure 269:2 is a heavier type with a fine hole in the base for a fixing pin; 269:3 the disc plate for surface fixing with brass escutcheon pins; 269:4 the disc plate with screw-in thread, and 269:5 an oblong plate. The cheaper varieties are stamped out of sheet brass, sunk flush and glued with Araldite epoxy glue, but the better patterns have either pin fixings, screw-in threads or small metal tongues (269:5) which are knocked into the wood thickness. Plates can also be formed from ebony, rosewood, box, bone or ivory, etc. (269:6) cut to outline, recessed and glued, the keyhole cut and sanded off flush.

STAYS

Wardrobe, flap and fall stays are shown in 270. Figure 270:1 shows the wardrobe stay used to limit the swing of a door or to support a fall flap, 270:2 is the quadrant stay and 270:3 is the rule joint stay also for flaps and supplied right and left handed. The latter has been almost entirely superseded by the improved fall flap stay (270:4) with silent nylon glide (270:4A) which can be used in either the vertical or horizontal position. A combined pivot hinge and stay for flaps is shown in 270:5, and a slotted version in 270:6 which lifts the flap clear of the framing rail. Both types are made in mild steel brass plated for greater strength. Figure 270:7 is the radiogram lid stay with adjustable friction
271 Flap stay mounting positions

movement, and 270:8 one type of cocktail cabinet stay which automatically lowers the flap as the lid is raised. The fixing position for this type of stay must be found by trial and error with a bradawl driven through one of the screw holes into the carcass side, and the centre plate is large enough to cover several trial holes which may be necessary before the critical centre is located. Fixing positions for quadrant, rule joint and improved fall flap stays are shown in 271:1, 2, 3. In 271:2 the flap plate is fixed at a distance from the hinge knuckle equal to half the length of the stay measured from pin to pin. The carcass plate must then be fastened on a line drawn parallel to the base as shown.

As with most other hardware items the

traditional types have remained unchanged for many years, but modern production methods and the increasing use of particle board with its reduced holding power for screws, etc. call for constant innovations. Figure 271:5 shows a varioscope fall flap stay with adjustable brake which retards the downward movement, thus there is no danger of a heavy chipboard flap tearing out the fixing screws if allowed to fall. A stay for upward flaps (271:6) is also shown, with a stopping device which holds the flap either side of the horizontal according to the adjustment. A slight upward lift beyond the automatic stop releases the catch and allows the flap to be lowered. Figure 271:4 shows the improved fall flap stay (270:4) mounted in a horizontal position.

272 Bookcase fittings