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| I specialize in custom furniture, cabinetry and woodworking using traditional cabinetmaker skills, tools and techniques. Those tried and true joinery techniques found on quality furniture from times past are always used in my work. Such examples are dovetails in all drawers, dovetailed blanket chests, sliding dovetails for the legs on pedestal and three legged tables, mortise and tenon joints in cabinet work, rail and stile door construction, raised panels, even foxwedge tenon joints on some pieces. Perley J. Allen Cabinetmaker email: info@allenwoodworking.com Click on images to enlarge |
| sliding dovetail on pedestal tables |
| cedar lined bottom on blanket chest & safety lid supports |
| rule joint on drop-leaf table |
| My pieces are made from solid hardwoods, primarily using domestic oak, cherry, maple, walnut and ash, with the occasional pine, imported mahogany or other species if desired. I often use poplar for drawer bottoms and aromatic red cedar for the bottoms on blanket chests. |
| detail of wedged thru-tenons on bowback chair |
| detail of small dovetailed drawers & pigeon holes on Chippendale Secretary |
About Allen Woodworking:
While I have been a woodworker for a number of years, it wasn’t until 1996 that I was able to turn my
hobby into a profession. Previous to this my career had been in the quality control inspection field, which
I believe has molded my thinking to always strive for quality workmanship.
FINISHING:
Finishing for my pieces is primarily hand rubbed varnishes and/or oils which penetrate deep into the
wood. This is followed with paste wax, which results in a final finish that has a soft luster, bringing out
the wood’s natural beauty. In my opinion, this is more desirable than the glossy spray finishes seen on
most mass-produced furniture, which is built up on the outer surface of the wood and can be easily
chipped. While most of my pieces are not stained, certain light woods such as ash, maple and oak may be
stained if desired. I also use milk paint on certain period pieces to maintain authenticity. Most of my
work consists of custom ‘one of a kind’ items made specifically for the needs and tastes of clients.
FURNITURE REPAIR & ANTIQUE RESTORATION:
In addition to making custom furniture I also do repairs and restoration. Below are a few examples of
restored or repaired antiques.
SANDING SERVICE AVAILABLE:
I have a 50" Woodmaster drum sander and I do offer sanding services for those who are able to bring
their work to my shop. This is perfect for sanding table tops nice and flat, as well as face frames and
other items that are large.
While I have been a woodworker for a number of years, it wasn’t until 1996 that I was able to turn my
hobby into a profession. Previous to this my career had been in the quality control inspection field, which
I believe has molded my thinking to always strive for quality workmanship.
FINISHING:
Finishing for my pieces is primarily hand rubbed varnishes and/or oils which penetrate deep into the
wood. This is followed with paste wax, which results in a final finish that has a soft luster, bringing out
the wood’s natural beauty. In my opinion, this is more desirable than the glossy spray finishes seen on
most mass-produced furniture, which is built up on the outer surface of the wood and can be easily
chipped. While most of my pieces are not stained, certain light woods such as ash, maple and oak may be
stained if desired. I also use milk paint on certain period pieces to maintain authenticity. Most of my
work consists of custom ‘one of a kind’ items made specifically for the needs and tastes of clients.
FURNITURE REPAIR & ANTIQUE RESTORATION:
In addition to making custom furniture I also do repairs and restoration. Below are a few examples of
restored or repaired antiques.
SANDING SERVICE AVAILABLE:
I have a 50" Woodmaster drum sander and I do offer sanding services for those who are able to bring
their work to my shop. This is perfect for sanding table tops nice and flat, as well as face frames and
other items that are large.
| ALLEN WOODWORKING located in EAST BERLIN, PA 17316 1-717-624-9011 info@allenwoodworking.com |
| High spinning wheel that needed three spindles replaced and repair to the wheel itself. The wheel had fallen off of a vehicle shortly after the new owner purchased it. |
| A mahogany clock case that had a lot of neglect and damage, also missing pieces. The finish is simply shellac. |
| A chest of drawers made of walnut. It needed a lot of repair due to extensive wear on the drawers and their dividers. |
Making Bracketed Feet:
Here I am cutting the large cove on bracketed feet using the tablesaw.
An example in cherry is on the right.
Here I am cutting the large cove on bracketed feet using the tablesaw.
An example in cherry is on the right.
| Shaker style desk in tiger maple. Note sliding dovetails on drawer dividers. |
| detail of dovetailing |
Chair Making:
Here are a few pics of me making parts for a set of chairs.
Here are a few pics of me making parts for a set of chairs.
Using a scorp (inshave) to hog
out the convexed area of the
chair seats.
out the convexed area of the
chair seats.
View of the seats after using
the inshave
the inshave
Cutting the kerfs on
the tenons of the bows
the tenons of the bows
Drilling through the bow so
that the back spindles can be
inserted and then wedged
that the back spindles can be
inserted and then wedged
Here I am pounding (well, actually "tapping") in the wedged into
the top of the spindle tenons.
the top of the spindle tenons.
Close up of the wedged tenons
before shaving them flush.
before shaving them flush.
Leveling off the tenons with a
block plane
block plane
Drilling the mortise holes for the
stretchers. Boy, that DeWalt
cordless is great for this job!
stretchers. Boy, that DeWalt
cordless is great for this job!
It's done!
I like to have through wedged tenons for the
legs. Here I am pounding in the wedges.
legs. Here I am pounding in the wedges.
Close up of wedged tenons