How to Attach Cedar Lining to a Chest

Line a chest with cedar for extra protection of the valuables stored inside.

Cedar lined chests are very popular, smell wonderful, and help to keep bugs away from stored textiles. Cedar wood does not warp, bend, twist or shrink, making it a highly stable lining which will not ruin the structural integrity of the chest over the course of time and changing weather conditions. Historical uses include preservation of valuable items for a bride to give to her husband as part of a marriage dowry, or as a storage chest to save goods for a future bride. Modern uses are aesthetic in nature and serve as a convenient place to store blankets and sheets. Whatever the use, a cedar chest is a classic piece of durable furniture.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Circular saw
• Miter saw
• Miter box
• Hand saw
• Wood glue
• Weight
• Cedar boards
• Rags
• C clamps
• Extra fine-grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Measure the inside of the chest including length, width, height, interior top and interior bottom. Note the measurements for each dimension on a sheet of paper.

2. Mark the measurements on the cedar boards for the bottom of chest and cut them with a circular saw to fit the bottom tightly.

3. Apply wood glue to the bottom of the chest and place cedar boards on top of the wood glue.

4. Place heavy books or other weights on top of the boards to press them tightly to the bottom.

5. Allow the wood glue to dry thoroughly, usually four to six hours.

6. Mark the measurement for the side and scribe a cutting line on the cedar wood.

7. Place the cedar into a miter box and cut with a hand saw or use a miter saw to cut the ends of the cedar at 45-degree angles. Repeat for all lengths of cedar except the lid.

8. Coat the back of the cedar pieces with wood glue and place them along the inside of the chest horizontally, beginning at the bottom and moving upward to the top edge of the chest.

9. Wedge pieces of wood spanning the interior from side to side to holding the cedar boards in place while allowing the wood glue to dry. Place a rag over the end of each support to avoid scratching the cedar surface.

10. Cut the cedar with a circular saw for the interior lid to fit tightly.

11. Place wood glue on the back of the cedar and put in place on the top interior of the lid.

12. Clamp the cedar to the top with C clamps to hold in place while the wood glue dries.

13. Remove support boards and C clamps.

14. Sand any rough areas with extra fine-grit sandpaper.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when cutting cedar.

References

• "Repairing Furniture"; Time Life Editors; 1997
• "Grandpa's 5001 Handyman Secrets"; Dr. Myles H. Bader; 2006