I’ve just been putting the finishing touches on my LR4 build. Here is the first project finally completed: Kerf Design style nightstands out of baltic birch with box-jointed drawers.
Ok ok confession time: technically only one of these is LowRider-built. I’m focusing on gaining experience, and cut one piece “conventionally” with a tracksaw, and the other on LR4. I honestly forget which one is which. Once I fixed a number of new build and new operator teething issues I think the CNC was a little easier. Had I used a tablesaw and not a tracksaw I think the story might have been different however. LR4 did do both drawer boxes, didn’t even seem worth it to attempt a conventional build there. Was amazing to see it blasting through the joinery in just a few minutes per part.
Ended up needing to widen CNC-cut dadoes just a mm with trim router, still some dimensioning issues to work out I think
Finish: General Finishes Hardwax Oil. I like how it makes the pale birch more golden/tan vs yellow like some previous projects.
Overall was very fun to custom-design a storage solution, then cut up some sheet goods! Garage is now a real production shop. Will probably do a larger shelf in the same style for my home office next. Let me know if you have any other applications for raw baltic birch edges!
The reason you can’t see the dog bones is that your finger joints are off. You can see that the finger joints are not a tight fit, the teeth are a little smaller and the gaps therefore a little wider. Please don’t see that as negative criticism, I have had the same problem before with my MPCNC.
Those are just fabulous!!! They ply and joinery look amazing.
Super fun to use the machine for a couple units. If you were making 10+ the CNC would be a clear winner in my book. Some days I use my other power tools some days I use my CNC. In a one off the other tools typically are faster, but they require a lot more thinking and measuring on my part.
The old side table I made are looking a bit dated, I am certainly use your design as inspiration for my next tables.
Thank you so very much for sharing. I wish you were close to RMRRF, I would love to show these off.
This is nearly the hardest project for a saw vs cnc comparison.
Where I think the CNC is going to win every time is stuff with either curves or precise features (but not straight through cuts). If you needed a precise opening at a precise place in the middle of those boxes, it would be easier with the CNC. Or if you wanted finger grooves in the handle on the front, then it would be the same amount of work for the CNC, but add work for the power tools.
Those look really great. I built my own nightstand and every once in a while I notice it again and smile.
Your night stands look great. Thanks for recommending MakerCase. I went to their website and have now made 4 drawer organizers out of 1/8" baltic birch plywood with my MPCNC laser.
They look great. Can I ask what you used to finish them? I made a couple of garden chairs from ply and am not sure the best finish to use. I did one with yacht varnish which is ok but expensive so I’m looking for alternatives
For sure, it’s General Finishes’ Hardwax Oil, but I think any oil-based non-film finish would have the same color (tung oil, boiled linseed oil, etc). Color was a big thing for me because I didn’t like how amber the Home Depot poly I used on a different project was. But that stuff was applied under poor conditions (cold garage) and I’m sure a poly that wasn’t bottom of the barrel on price would look better.
Garden chairs–sounds like an outdoor project? In that case probably disregard everything as poly and hardwax are indoor only for sure and unfortunately I don’t have experience with outdoor finishes.
Chairs out of ply sounds interesting, are they disassemblable? Got any photos anywhere?
There’s a lot I did wrong and I’m not totally happy with them but they work.
I did add one element I haven’t seen before but I hope will add to their durability - feet made from whatever plastic professional kitchen chopping boards are
Once I fixed a number of new build and new operator teething issues I think the CNC was a little easier. Had I used a tablesaw and not a tracksaw I think the story might have been different however. LR4 did do both drawer boxes, didn’t even seem worth it to attempt a conventional build there. Was amazing to see it blasting through the joinery in just a few minutes per part.
You can see that the finger joints are not a tight fit, the teeth are a little smaller and the gaps therefore a little wider. Please don’t see that as negative criticism, I have had the same problem before with my MPCNC. 
I found it searching, not looking at the latest. didnt even scroll to the end to see you posted LOL
