PARAFFIN FURNITURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 243, 4 January 1928, Page 6

PARAFFIN FURNITURE

MAKING A CHEST OF DRAWERS In these modern times there is little that cannot be done with waste products. Take empty paraffin cases, for instance. Most people would say they have no other use than to be broker, up for firewood. But when one can make furniture with them, it is likely that firewood will come from another source. The following description of paraffin case chest-of-drawers and cupboards which are at present in use, will be of interest. Firstly, for the framework, take three

cases and knock two to pieces and the bottom off the third. Start a 1£ inch dowel screw midway in,each side of the last-named case, preparing a hole with a bradawl or gimlet of a smaller gauge than the screw. Drill a hole to correspond in one side of each of two of the loose end pieces. Screw these upon the first-named case and nail one side piece to form another shelf. Repeat the process and then drive a nail diagonally through the lower corners of the dowelled end pieces to keep the latter in place. Nail some of the spare boards across the back so that they overlap from case to case, and the maker will then have a framework which needs only drawers or a cupboard door to complete it. If drawers bo desired, a good plan is to get six paraffin tins and cut out the centre of one side of each, leaving a margin of about inches round the opening. Then burn out all trace of paraffin with the aid of a discarded newspaper or some odd shavings, after which the tins can be scrubbed out. When dry, cut half-way through the margins at each corner and fold each under and flatten with the aid of a pair of pincers or pliers and a hammer. Spare end pieces can then be dowelled under the bottom of the framework as above, but with their front ends sufficiently far back to allow of a facing board being nailed in front under the bottom shelf. A coat of earbolineum applied to the woodwork, and a couple of coats of paint of approved colour applied to the fronts of the tin drawers will provide useful additions to the storage room in the pantry, and neither mice nor rats will desire to nibble their way through the woodwork to partake of the foodstuffs within. It will be seen that the constructive features outlined above admit easily of variation as to sizes or shapes of drawers, or of provisions of doors in their stead. The essential of the scheme is the use of dowell screws in screwing the various sections together, thus obviating the need for ai double thickness of wood for each shelf.