Making the Modular Apothecary Chest - The Apothecary Furniture Co.

[@maxscootss]

you really are so talented john. Every small detail you include in your videos blows my mind. Small things like the 1 degree slant on the miter gauge so it slides in nicer... you're one of my favorite woodworking youtubers for a good reason! elegant and to the point. best of luck with your new endeavor!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Nester! I really appreciate it.

[@rolandrivard2667]

Totally agree. Congrats on the new little brother business!

[@-1nv1ctus-17]

Look up “wabash cabinet”, they were modular and customizable shelf and drawer units. Seems right on theme for the new business. Best of luck with the new venture!

[@JayBergCustoms]

Really love this design! I especially like how the roundovers create a shadow line of sorts between each unit.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Jeffrey!

[@jennischimmels7442]

This is so beautiful. I love the attention to detail of making the back end slightly more narrow so the drawers slide in more easily but are still flush up front!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Jenni! It was a technique I came upon by accident. It seemed to help the process go quicker so I do it on purpose now haha.

[@terristroh3965]

Good luck on your new venture! You’re very talented and make beautiful pieces.

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful, John! Really fantastic work! 😃 Congrats for the new business!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@parillaworks]

Thanks!

[@larryk6330]

Your work is beautiful. The way you utilize jigs for repeatable cuts is awesome. I've made a few "tea chests" that are similar in style so I absolutely appreciate the details you're incorporating. Good luck with the new company.

[@parillaworks]

Thank you! I get inspired by others and try to carry that on into my work. Getting better with jigs is something I’ve been trying to work on lately.

[@scottb.2022]

Very well thought out jigs and processes. Congratulations on starting The Apothecary Furniture Co.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Scott!

[@heyitsthatdude17]

4:30 the latest iteration of the dadoing jig is amazing! I really like the cam locks. Honestly if I was you, I would consider trying to sell the idea to someone like Rockler or Woodcraft as a product. This feels right in line with the kind of jigs they make and market to woodworkers.

[@parillaworks]

I appreciate it! I’ve thought about that a little bit. Right now I’m working on another version that will be even more functional and useful. Hoping to start that in the next few weeks. I’ve done some tests for it and it looks promising.

[@davidsavage2650]

Super cool. Love it. Keep it up. Congrats on launching the "new" company.

[@benjboyle]

Those are gorgeous. Love them.

[@FuzzyScaredyCat]

I suppose you could make an outer case built to the full dimensions that the customer wanter, then insert that many rows of drawers into that. Perhaps so that the boxes could be vertical and / or horizontal mixing the two wood types. As always really loving your work and if you're still interested in seeing my disaster and a little recovery I may have some pictures soon :)

[@dansarfert3585]

It's awesome that you're expanding. Best of luck and well deserved. I really liked the walnut and oak chest mixed and stacked in the final pics - classy!

[@71woodshop]

I like the new name! Great idea. The black walnut knot on the front adds some character. I like that look. I always enjoy your videos.

[@glenndornak6410]

Awesome. I love the apothecary style cases.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Glenn!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice job on the little drawers and chests John! Thanks for sharing the video with us!💖👍😎JP

[@peterdowning2525]

Love your designs! Congrats on the new business and success!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Peter!

[@johnniewalker39]

Good luck, mate! Great job.

[@ellmannvictor]

Two words: wow, amazing!

[@alasdairmackenzie515]

Very best wishes for your new venture.

[@seanmurphy5417]

Good luck on the new business. Given the quality of your work, I suspect you will be very busy.

[@andrewlipic8414]

Love the concept of these. Can't deny the results of all the jigs, except the one drawer pull that's crooked, lol. The way the dado joints come together is mint. Did you use a cnc to design the dado jig?

[@alejandrofilm5073]

love your work, always awsome to watch

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Alejandro!

[@davestinyworkshop]

Wow, very impressive, really enjoyed this video. Perhaps something like a kitchen cutting board would work as a base, maybe half and inch bigger all around. Just a thought.

[@DenisDanilov7]

Great work! The only thing that's bothering me is the use of cross-head screws in these types of projects. Back in the day, they would have used slotted screws for a more authentic look.

[@donallen7269]

Very nice work. For a base perhaps a very low table with bowed legs, oriental style with the same buttons to position the box above but still may be used as a table.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Don. That’s a great idea!

[@ObsessiveAboutCats]

This looks great! I would like to see a new video on the joint you use on the drawers. Thanks

[@parillaworks]

Thanks! I’ll try to get a new one out together sometime soon!

[@kitchentroll5868]

In terms of a base, perhaps two models? One that is a table with a single wide drawer and one that is a squared pedestal without a drawer.

[@YveWin]

Oh you should definitely make a case for them. 💙

[@IAMSatisfied]

@ about the 15 minute mark you said you hammered those buttons into place, but it looked to me like you malletted them in. 🤓 These are awesomely gorgeous cabinets, and the registration using dimples & buttons is ingeniously classy. Might I suggest that your template for marking the drawer pulls is a little high on the left side... it's evident on all of them on the white oak cabinets, but especially on drawer C4. Thanks for sharing your art, mind & process!

[@parillaworks]

Haha thank you! And yes you’re correct about the pulls. I should’ve used the drill press to make the jig. I probably drilled the left one off square and it pushed the hole up a bit.

[@minyongkim1355]

Excellent as always!! I love them.

[@davidmontgomery1016]

Good luck with the new company. Those look really good. I wish I had had that registration process when I built a bookcase a couple of years ago. I'm going to have to file that away.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks David!

[@ShopTherapy623]

Very cool! Love the design and craftsmanship

[@parillaworks]

Thanks!

[@gpanizzolo6090]

Hermoso trabajo! Felicitaciones! Excelentes además las plantillas que usas para hacer todas las piezas iguales. Un abrazo! Germán, Montevideo, Uruguay.

[@zachroller3448]

Your work is so inspiring and I enjoy your videos! Great job and keep em coming!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Zach! I got a few more coming up. Another version of the routing jig too.

[@sapelesteve]

Well done & best of luck going forward! 👍👍

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Steve!!

[@Kenfitzpat]

Absolutely beautiful! Love the thought process for putting these together. You must have spent some time figuring the dimensions. The drawer pulls are unique. Do you have a source for them you would share, i really am looking forward to more of your projects. While i may never build these, it is so much fun to see you at work. Thanks for sharing this well made video.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Ken! Here’s the exact source: www.dlawlesshardware.com/label-holder-heavy-duty-venetian-bronze-finger-pull.html I started using them last year and find them to be very nice, especially for the price. I have some more little drawer builds coming out soon. And hopefully some larger ones too!

[@instagamrr]

So so beautiful 😍

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

I always love your videos. Your pieces are amazing!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Angie!

[@wills4187]

Beautiful work! I love those tiny tools more though haha. Tiny clamps, speed square, and hand plane.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks William!! Did you catch my tiny tools video from a few weeks ago?

[@wills4187]

@@parillaworks No! Instantly just made my day now haha. Thank you so much!

[@WoodfulProjects]

This is just amazing. You’ve inspired me 4 years ago to start building my own apothecary cabinet (a massive 84 drawers one 😃) and I havent stopped since then. The registration solution you’ve found is really nice as it wont tear the wood out. Have you thought adding a way/a me mechanism to lock the layers between them? I’ve noticed that kids (at least mînes) love to use the apothecary cabinets we have and I’m wondering if the registration itself is sufficient enough to prevent layers from moving/falling. Anyway, i love the build and wish you lots of sales. Cheers

[@parillaworks]

Thank you!! Did you post yours on Reddit? I think I saw it a while back! Altogether, these things are pretty heavy even when empty. The bigger concern I would have is tipping if a drawer got stuck or something like that. I made these 7.5” deep for a little more of a foundation. If I was going higher than 6 or so rows I would consider making them deeper and/or wider. But I’m not too concerned about a row popping out of the registration dimples.

[@WoodfulProjects]

@@parillaworks 👍👍 you’re probably right. Looking forward your next video. And yeah I shared my build on Reddit and I’m quite impressed that you’ve seen it 🙏🙏.

[@Nickle314]

The table saw template - very clever and not obvious.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks! The trick is to not lose that until I need it again 🤣

[@Nickle314]

@@parillaworks That's the clever bit. You can repeat things. Something like this is also an obvious use for a cnc router.

[@shawncharton9416]

Dude! Your jigs are amazing!!!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Shawn! I’m working on another version that should be even better. Not sure why you aren’t getting notified of the new videos…hopefully that gets sorted out soon!

[@shawncharton9416]

@@parillaworks it's all good. I look for you anyway.

[@КарлСосновский]

Это так круто!!! Искренне рад за Вас и желаю Вам дальнейших успехов и огромного удовольствия от того,что вы делаете!!!

[@gregs2862]

I love these boxes! Since you make the drawers fit so snug at the front are you concerned with wood movement causing them to get too tight?

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Greg! Wood movement won’t effect the fit as far as the width or left to right sizing is concerned. For the height or top to bottom, there is a enough of a gap that it shouldn’t be a concern. The roundover masks the gap pretty well.

[@brentjenkinsdesigns]

Purdy kewl dood!

[@hazembata]

Congrats on the new business. You might be the first person on the world to specialize in apothecaries :-)

[@parillaworks]

Haha thanks! I’m trying to corner the market!

[@woodworkingvangioi4996]

So beautiful

[@michelsbastelkeller371]

Hi, kannst du mir bitte sagen was für ein Tool du da auf deiner Tischkreissäge verwendest.

[@shawncharton9416]

How'd you post a video six days ago and I'm only just now seeing it, John?

[@wilhelmthiem4288]

Awesome!!!. A question at about 7.35 in your video you use a small "speed square", where did you buy it. Thx Wilhelm

[@parillaworks]

Thanks! That little square is from Lee Valley.

[@vivi_t3ch]

I was wanting to take a look at your website for a possible commission, except its no longer functioning.

[@heyitsthatdude17]

Hey John! Site looks great. One small thing though, looks like your website's title (what appears in the browser tab) isn't set! Still says 'Your Site Title'.

[@parillaworks]

Thank you! And good find…let me give that a look.

[@nainitalism]

Beautiful

[@Gatorspader]

Dang this is cool as heck! When do The Apothecary Furniture Co. shirts go on sale.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Stu! Do you want one? Maybe I’ll order a batch for the new website!

[@Gatorspader]

@@parillaworks of course! Need it for my drip.

[@mangahacker]

This is beautiful work. I do a lot of small boxes myself, and am always worried that they will warp or twist. Do you do anything special to avoid warping in these?

[@parillaworks]

Quartersawn panels are the biggest thing I can think of. That, and letting your material rest while milling in stages. Having the boxes stack like this really magnifies a warped box. One of the walnut ones was a slightly warped which stinks. Just one of those things that happens.

[@xof-woodworkinghobbyist]

so great concept. Thank you for the inspiration... I'll buy the plans when/if available. Do you ship to Canada?

[@parillaworks]

Thanks! I do ship to Canada but would need to provide a custom shipping quote. I started plans for this but wasn’t sure how detailed to go. There are a lot of construction similarities with the regular apothecary chests. It really boils down to the routing jig. I may put that digital file up on the parillaworks site.

[@willsnowfires]

What are you using to spray the lacquer? Look fantastic! 🔥

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Nate! It’s the Earlex Spraystation. It’s fairly basic without much control, which can be good and bad. Definitely a great beginners setup. Though, I’ve only ever used it with water-based products; never tried anything solvent-based or any paint.

[@christineansorge5519]

With greater continuity. :)

[@parillaworks]

There it is!

[@benjaminbrewer2154]

Do they make those label holders with Robertson screws rather than the cam-out Philips?

[@parillaworks]

The screws were sold separately. I haven’t come across Robertson screws that small in black though. I’m just glad they weren’t slotted! 🤣

[@benjaminbrewer2154]

@@parillaworks makes sense, who has the best price on label holding hardware?

[@parillaworks]

Lately I’ve been getting them from D Lawless. Great prices on pretty decent quality pulls. I always allow clients to get more expensive pulls from places like Lee Valley but they can be $6, $7, $8 per pull at times.

[@maliboy69]

Just a heads up, your "website has expired"...

[@tammamakkari8046]

Wow amazing 👏, how did you make the wood buttons?

[@parillaworks]

Thanks! They're an "off the shelf" item called button plugs. They usually cover up counterbored screw holes.

[@tammamakkari8046]

Thanks 🙏 , I am watching it again 😊 love the templates and the jigs .. all about smart and elegant work

[@cheese99999]

How’d you make those registration buttons? Lathe?

[@parillaworks]

I forgot to mention that they are an “off the shelf” product called button plugs. They’re typically used to fill a counterbored screw. These ones have a 1/2” tenon. They sell them in various sizes though.

[@matthewwright57]

Spiral bits can plunge.

[@parillaworks]

That’s true. Some better than others though they still aren’t great at it compared to a forstner bit.

[@bertv1205]

Hi John, great productdesign! Are those half buttons handmade or off the shelf?

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Bert! They’re off the shelf. 1/2” tenon and 5/8” button head.

[@bertv1205]

@@parillaworks LeeValley? Or?

[@parillaworks]

Amazon has a few options. Here’s the link to the oak ones I used: amzn.to/3CRRzPe

[@IAMSatisfied]

"In this video, I framed my face out of the video..." Kinda like This Old Tony does all of the time. ;o)

[@parillaworks]

Lol good company!

[@RavenMinis]

Says the website is expired 😢

[@chrisgriego549]

Make a frame like a picture frame add legs and buttons and then it won''t matter which box is on the bottom.

[@parillaworks]

That’s a good idea. I was thinking a simple flat base with the dimples would work and make them look a bit more finished.

[@mclennan1024]

can you ship to the uk if i pay extra shipping

[@parillaworks]

Generally, yes. If you’re interested, email me at [e-mail] and we can discuss it further. Thanks!

[@alfisk5234]

do you have plans for this?

[@parillaworks]

Hey Al! I don’t have plans for this at the moment, sorry.

[@MrGonzach]

👌👌

[@chestoncoffin6896]

At about the 6 minute mark you're talking about marking the hole for your forstner bit and you talk about how a router cutter isn't very good at plunge cutting. A normal router cutter isn't but I would argue an end mill is so if you could use an end mill in that step you could probably skip the forster bit step in a drill press altogether.

[@parillaworks]

That’s true though the spiral bits I have still aren’t great at drilling. I definitely considered it because it saves time but figured I would go the safe route the first time around.

[@yolgoiko]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😍👍🏼👌🏼

[@chakireladraoui9331]

Good

[@stineke3021]

Top

[@nathanmurray1355]

Is it a stretch to assume you play Magic the Gathering? I built something similar for my collection of MTG cards but no where near as beautiful.

[@parillaworks]

I’ve only played a few times with friends. But every time I post an apothecary project, I get a bunch of comments about how well suited they would be for MTG. So I decided to build one and see what happens.

[@Ding_Bat]

ApothecaryFurniture isn't working anymore...

[@IGBasov]

What do you mean?

[@Ding_Bat]

@@IGBasov In the very first line of the video description there is a link to ApothecaryFurniture. This website no longer exists...

[@3zooz697]

nothing new. The same workmanship is repeated 👎

[@daveklein2826]

Repeated and awesome

[@minyongkim1355]

Excellent as always!! I love them.

[@parillaworks]

Thank you!