The Scale Cabinetmaker Original Back Issues – The Scale Cabinetmaker & More

The Scale Cabinetmaker

Print Back Issues of The Scale Cabinetmaker
(Or what happens when you finally get around to cleaning out the storage rooms)

We have spent nearly two years debating what to do with boxes of back issues found stored in the back of one of the storage closets in the depot (Dorsett Publications is located in a 149 year old train station). We looked at internet sales listings, some of which elicited a “you’ve got to be kidding” response. Now granted, the sale of the back issues is going to the ongoing maintenance of Helen’s depot (she is the reason we are located in said train station and she was the driving force that saved the building from a wrecking ball 34 years ago), but even we recognized that some of the listed prices were beyond breathtaking and probably would have elicited some rather choice responses from both Jim and Helen.

We listed a few on ebay just to see what the range of bids would be. Neither of us are fans of ebay, and the time spent dealing with ebay was time I was not spending in the workshop or in front of the computer writing the one book we probably should have written 50 years ago when this all started…a beginner’s guide and reference to modeling. The prices do not include shipping and handling.

Condition. All of the issues are in near mint condition. When we found them initially, we packaged each in a plastic sleeve, and did a rough inventory. Since then, we have found a few more of the earlier issues, which we haven’t had a chance to inventory. As we find them, we’ll add them to the “available” list below.

The Issue of Rarity. Be aware, however, that the number of copies of each issue are limited and will be sold on a “first come” basis. We have an entire case of (50 or so copies) of some issues, others we only have fewer than a dozen, and with a few, the numbers dwindle to a couple. We decided on a set price for the majority of them, but there are a few very rare issues that are priced a bit higher. Technically, I suppose, all of the issues are relatively rare–our largest run for TSC was 3,600. The very early editions (Volume 1) and the final year (Volume 20) had far smaller initial runs (1,500 or less). The last issue is the rarest…we printed just enough to fulfill the company’s obligations to our subscribers and the retail outlets that stocked TSC every quarter. A couple of issues are rare because of problems with the printer, most notably volumes 13:3 and 8:2 (guard these with your life, we barely had enough to meet the number required for our subscribers and the miniature shops that carried TSC).

Copies with Helen’s Cover Roomboxes. Although we do have a few extras of the issues prior to volume 15, we only have one issue (with multiple copies), TSC 12:3, that features one of Helen’s roomboxes on the cover.

Quantities. As noted above. For some of the issues, we have a very limited quantity (less that 6). They will be noted in each listing. We will remove a listing when we sell out. If we find more of them while we are digging through some of the odd boxes, we’ll add them back in. We do have a few issues, especially in the earlier volumes, where we have 1 to 2 single issues. If you are looking for a specific issue that is not listed below, check with us. We may have an extra copy we are willing to send off.

Ordering Back Issues

To order back issues that are available, please use this order form https://thescalecabinetmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-print-order-form.pdf .

Note: We use Paypal for all of our processing. All orders, domestic and international, are shipped via USPS. Rapidly changing postal fees and paperwork have caused us to create a special order form that allows you to let us know what you want and then we send you a PayPal invoice for the correct full amount including shipping and handling. Thank you for your patience.

The Scale Cabinetmaker Back Issues:

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker Volume 12, No 3 (Fall, 1988)

The cover featured one of Helen Dorsett’s last roombox: a Kansas kitchen, c. 1914, her Mom, and the Wart (her cat and fairly constant workshop companion). The issue includes:

Christmas in the Kitchen (1914): A TSC Cover by Jim & Helen Dorsett;
Half Inch Overstuffed Furniture for Couch Potatoes by Helen Dorsett;
Small Hepplewhite-Style Sideboard; by William S. Miller;
1920’s Hot Air Central Heating (Part 1) by Ruth Armstrong;
Architectural Detail: Stairs by Fred Stephenson;
Bending Hardwood: Vienna Dining Chair by Donald Peck;
Loop Back Windsor Chair by Jim Dorsett;
The Table Saw Taper Jig by Jim Jedlicka;
The Lathe Spindle Indexer by Ted Roubal

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 15:2 (Summer, 1991)

The issue featured the 2nd installment in two series: Pete Westcott’s roombox series “The Bishop’s Livingroom” and Tom Steiger’s Wooten Desk (the project my father used to say was the single most complicated project TSC ever published). The issue also includes:

English Gothic Library Table/Ladder by James Dorsett;
The Bishop’s Livingroom (Part 2, Roombox Series) by Peter Westcott;
Brass-Tube Casters by James Dorsett;
Peg Legs by S. Bernard Shaw;
O Wondrous Wooton! (Part 2) by Tom Steiger;
Mitering Techniques with Hand Tools (Beginner’s Workbench) by Peter Westcott and James Dorsett;
1920’s Breakfast Nook Display Box by Marie and Don Heuer

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 16:1 (Spring, 1992)

Wheeled vehicles appeared in the early TSCs, with the articles on a child’s doll buggy and the 1913 Butler Brothers Speedster. Ruth Armstrong’s JJ Deal Buggy represented a departure because it dealt with an actual vehicle rather than a household object. The first installment in the 3-part series appeared in 16:1 and concluded in 16:3.The issue also includes:

The J. J. Deal Buggy (Part 1) by Ruth Armstrong;
Ethan Allen Bedroom Set (1/2” Scale) Conclusion by James Dorsett (Triple Dresser and Mirror, and Chest-on-Chest)
Queen Anne Tuck-Away Table by Marie and Don Heuer;
Greene and Greene Living Room Table and Chair (Part 1) by James Dorsett;
Shaker Drawer Knobs: The Form Tool by Jim Jedlicka;
Shaker Candle Holders by Wayne Lasch;
Ornamental Golden Oak Table by Susanne Russo;
Slant Top Desk on Frame by William S. Miller
Goof Proof Micro-Miterer by Tom Steiger

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 16:4 (Winter, 1992)

In 16:4, for the first time, the issue featured not only a roombox by Pete Westcott, but also furniture. Pete, who lives in Arizona, was interested in Southwestern and “Old Spanish” architecture and interior design. Both articles point to his attention to historical detail and his craftsmanship. The issue also includes:

Federal Drawing Room Furniture by Jim Dorsett (Federal Sofa, Easy Chair, and New York Sofa Table)
Two Beginner’s Workbench Projects by Tamara Brooks (Arts & Crafts Mirrored Hat Rack and Umbrella Stand).
Furniture for the Southwestern Room (Part 1) by Peter F. Westcott (Trestle Dining Table and Side Chair
Late Victorian Washstand by June Simpson;
Two Regulator Clocks by Marie and Don Heuer (Vienna Parlor Clock and Octagonal Drop Clock)
Southwestern American Room (Conclusion) by Pete Westcott

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 17:1 (Spring, 1993)

In TSC 3:4, Jim Dorsett first published the plans for his 1880 Eastlake Rolltop Desk, a desk that took up a significant amount of the floor space in his study. A year later, the plans were reprinted in Fine Woodworking to teach folks how to build a fullsized desk from the plans for a miniature. It remains the only miniature to ever appear on the front cover of Fine Woodworking. At the time (1979), he promised to make a model of the chair (same style and period), but somehow the chair stayed on a back burner for more than 12 years. The chair for the desk was finally published in TSC 17:2.This issue also includes:

Harmonious Confusion: Oak Roll top Office Desk by James Dorsett;
Molding and Machining a Bombe Base by Tom Steiger;
Farmhouse Cream Separator by Ruth Armstrong;
19^th Century Blanket Box by June Simpson;
Southwestern Furniture (Bench & Wall Shelf) by Peter F. Westcott;
Billiard Tables in Half-Inch (Pocket Billiard Table, Pocketless Billiard Table) by William S. Miller;
Shaker Step Stool by Wayne Lasch;
Child’s Rocker by Helen Dorsett;
Niddy-Noddy by Tam Brooks;
1” Scale Measurement Conversion Chart

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 17, No. 2 (Summer, 1993)

In addition to Jim’s Eastlake Swivel Office Chair, the issue also featured Tam Brooks Berbice Chair and one of the few, non-machine articles by Jim Jedlicka (the TSC Tool Editor) who provided the instructions to create working draw drapes. The issue also includes:

Eastlake Caned, Swivel Office Chair by James Dorsett;
An Introduction to Hand-Woven Caining: Abridged from TSC 1:3;
Infant Walker-Trainer by Marie and Don Heuer;
French Restauration Lamp Table by June Simpson;
Table Saw Mitering Jig by Don Heuer;
The Berbice Chair by Tamara Brooks;
Contemporary Mexican Cabinet;
Game Room Dart Board and Cabinet by William S. Miller;
Beginner’s Workbench:Three Simple Wall Boxes by Tamara Brooks;
Working Draw Drapes by Jim Jedlicka

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 17, No. 3 (Fall, 1993)

Ruth Armstrong’s Swell Bodied Cutter provided readers with a great crash course in how to bend and how to upholster and was one of Jim’s favorite projects from Ruth. Ruth brought inventiveness to the pages of TSC, especially in the final five years of the journal.The issue also includes:

Making A Swell Bodied Cutter by Ruth Armstrong (Part 1 in a 2 part series);
Folding Bathtub and Hot Water Heater by Marie and Don Heuer;
Mood Changes in Scale Lighting by Jim Jedlick;
Mid-Victorian Cottage Bedroom (Part 1: Four Drawer Chest) by Jim Dorsett;
Recreation Room Tables by William S. Miller (Tennis/Ping Pong Table and Backgammon Table)
19^th Century Wardrobe by June Simpson;
Beginner’s Workbench: Kitchen Clock Shelf by June Simpson

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 17, No. 4 (Winter, 1993)

Like many of their models, the bedroom suite in this issue came from actual pieces. In this case, furniture included in the Victorian Cottage Bedroom came from Jim and Helen’s actual bedroom suite–furniture Helen had inherited from her mother in Peabody, Kansas. The issue also includes:

Victorian Cottage Bedroom (Part 2: Conclusion) by James H. Dorsett (Spool-turned bedstead, spool-turned night table, and wash stand);
Irish Pub Chair by Tamara Brook;
Making A Swell-Bodied Cutter (Conclusion) by Ruth Armstrong;
Useful Tables with Interesting Names by William S Miller (Porringer Table and Cricket Table);
A Hang of Shelves by June Simpson (What-Not and Bow Front Cabinet);
Graeme House Cornice by Peter Westcott

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 18, No.1 (Spring, 1994)

Normally, The Scale Cabinetmaker dealt with the items found in display cabinets rather than the display cabinets themselves, so Don and Marie Heuer’s Wall-Hung Miniatures Display Case was a departure and for many a welcome departure since it did not take up either floor space or shelf space. The issue also includes:

Wall-Hung Miniatures Display Case by Marie and Don Heuer;
Nursery Furniture by William S. Miller (Baby Crib, Play Pen, and High Chair);
Shaker-Style Quilting Frame by Tamara Brooks;
A Working Platform Scale by Ruth Armstrong;
Regency Library Chair/Steps by June Simpson;
Children’s Furniture by James H. Dorsett (Upholstered Club Rocker and Transitional Side Chair)

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 18, No. 3 (Fall, 1994)

With 18:3, Tom Steiger (of Wooten desk fame) returned to the pages of TSC with an article on applied carvings, including an excellent set of instructions for tackling crests, shells, and other intricate patterns. The issue also includes:

1927 Sears Tudor Dining Room Suite by Don and Marie Heuer (extension dining table, dining side and host chairs, and dining room buffet)
Cross Based Pub Table by Tamara Brooks;
More Realistic Applied Carvings by Tom Steiger;
Three Early American Cradles by William S. Miller (Shaker cradle, New England hooded cradle, and New Jersey Cradle);
1920’s Kitchen Cabinet by James H. Dorsett;
Linoleum Rugs from the 1920’s by Meghan H Dorsett

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 18, No. 3 (Fall, 1994)

1927 Sears Tudor Dining Room Suite by Don and Marie Heuer (extension dining table, dining side and host chairs, and dining room buffet)
Cross Based Pub Table by Tamara Brooks;
More Realistic Applied Carvings by Tom Steiger;
Three Early American Cradles by William S. Miller (Shaker cradle, New England hooded cradle, and New Jersey Cradle);
1920’s Kitchen Cabinet by James H. Dorsett;
Linoleum Rugs from the 1920’s by Meghan H Dorsett

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 18, No. 4 (Winter, 1994)

The cover of 18:4 was set in Helen’s 1890’s Kansas store building (and antique shop)–an appropriate setting for the odd and miscellaneous pieces of furniture. In this case, Jim returned to writing an individual essay (something he hadn’t done in a few years) was showing off two far different chairs from two completely different periods featured in the issue: the Victorian folding yacht chair and the Chippendale comb-back corner chair). The issue also includes:

The Allure of the Antique by James H. Dorsett (Victorian folding yacht chair and Chippendale comb-back corner chair);
Welsh Cupboard, Huntboard and Table by William S. Miller;
A Glossary of Cabinet Joints: The Cabinetmaker’s Notebook;
Chippendale Gentleman’s Dresser by June Simpson;
Arts and Crafts Piano Bench and Music Stand by Tamara Brooks;
Sears Elite Gas Kitchen Stove (c. 1925) by Marie and Don Heuer

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 19, No. 1 (Spring, 1995)

Ruth Armstrong’s series on building in one- and two-point perspective was a rather dramatic departure from the “realism” that had so marked The Scale Cabinetmaker for the previous 18 years. Her models were reminiscent of the Helen’s inventiveness and a welcome departure from the journal’s standard fare.The issue also includes:

Miniature Trickery in the Third Dimension by Ruth Armstrong (The point of one point perspective, two point perspective, and building a “stage set” roombox);
Gentlemen’s Dressing Mirror by June Simpson;
The Cabinetmaker’s Notebook: Carving Miscellany;
Haywood-Wakefield Modern Dining Set by James Dorsett (Case construction with Hand Tools, Haywood-Wakefield China Cabinet and Side Board);
Sears Truphonic Phonograph by Marie and Don Heuer;
Colonial Bedside Step-Tables by William S. Miller;
And Now This … Adirondack Chair

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 19, No. 4 (February, 1996)

Volume 19:4 included the third part in James Johnston’s excellent series on finishes and finishing, as well as one of the last of Jim Dorsett’s complex models–a late 18th Century Connecticut Chest-on Chest. The issue also includes:

Late 18^th Century Connecticut Chest-on-Chest by James H. Dorsett;
The Art of Finishing: Coloring and Staining: Part 3 by James B. Johnston (coloring equipment, bleaching, and stains and staining);
Ranch Style Oak Chair (c. 1940’s)
1905 Bathroom Fitures (Chrysnbon Kitbash) by Marie and Don Heuer;
1920’s Chippendale Bedroom Suite: Part 3 by June Simpson (Lady’s vanity dresser and dresser bench);
Contemporary Colonial Cracker Barrel by William S. Miller

$14.95

The Scale Cabinetmaker, Volume 20, No 1 (May, 1996)

As the 20th year started, Jim knew that it would be the last year of TSC. As such, he stopped taking new subscriptions and lowered the print run to meet the current obligations. As a result there were far fewer copies of TSC 20:1 and 20:2 printed than in previous years. The intent was to do four issues, but it was clear half way through putting together 20:1, that Jim’s energy was at an end, so the final issue of TSC ended up being the August issue of 1996) featuring the last installment in Pete Westcott’s Inglenook Room.The issue includes:

The Inglenook Roombox: Part 1 by Peter F. Westcott;
Japanese Toilet Stand by Ruth Armstrong;
Bedside Breakfast Table (Chippendale Bedroom Suite) by June Simpson;
Using the Internet as a Source of Scale Images by Meghan H. Dorsett;
Empire Oak Dining Room Buffet by Marie and Don Heuer;
The Melbourne Chair (A Contemporary Original by Tom Kempton;
Hepplewhite and Shaker Washstands by William Miller

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