Queen Anne Lowboy

By Philip C. Lowe Dec 04, 2014

In this video Workshop, period furniture maker Philip C. Lowe shows you how to build a traditional Queen Anne Lowboy, the ideal project for advancing intermediate woodworking skills. Despite its complex appearance, the Queen Anne Lowboy is the perfect vehicle for intermediate woodworkers looking for a challenge. You’ll master techniques for classic case construction, traditional joinery, cabriole legs, period fan carving, and much more.

Produced by: Ed Pirnik; Video by: Gary Junken; Editing by: Tom Olivares

Purchase the Digital Plan.

Purchase the Printed Plan.

Start Watching

Videos in the Series

Introduction: Queen Anne Lowboy

December 4, 2014

Period furniture maker Philip C. Lowe offers an overview of what's involved in building a Queen Anne Lowboy. Episode 1 coming Thursday, October 23, 2014.
Episode 1: Cabriole Legs

December 4, 2014

Learn how to combine modern machinery with traditional hand tools to craft the lowboy's iconic cabriole legs.
Episode 2: Tenons and Dovetails

December 4, 2014

Learn classic case construction techniques including tips on how to lay out and cut multiple tenons with ease. Then tackle the lowboy’s standard and sliding dovetail joinery.
Episode 3: Runners, Kickers, and Glue-Up

December 4, 2014

Prepare the case's drawer runners and kickers, and learn how to marry the lowboy's curvy legs to the square case using shaped transition blocks. Then tackle the first of two…
Episode 4: Final Glue-Up

December 4, 2014

Complete the drawer runner and kicker joinery and learn how to profile the case sides before moving on to the lowboy's final glue-up.
Episode 5: Drop Finials and Tabletop

December 4, 2014

Cap off the lowboy's curvy front apron with a pair of turned drop finials. Then, learn how to create the tabletop's hand-shaped edge profile.
Episode 6: Period Fan Carving

December 4, 2014

Learn the right way to fit a drawer front and break out your carving tools for a soup-to-nuts tutorial on how to create the period fan carving that makes this…
Episode 7: Dovetailed Drawers Video Workshop

December 4, 2014

No period piece of furniture is complete without a few dovetailed drawers. Learn Philip C. Lowe's techniques for dead-on dovetails.
Episode 8: Surface Prep and Final Finish

December 4, 2014

Philip C. Lowe inspects a period furniture masterpiece as he looks for clues on how 18th-century furniture surfaces were prepared and finished.

Get It All!

UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

Subscribe to Fine Woodworking

Save up to 69%

About Video Workshops

Watch our experts build a piece of furniture step-by-step on video and download a detailed project plan so you can build along.

If you're looking for a new woodworking project, try one of our video workshops. These are complete, online courses taught by some of the best woodworkers in the country, and include companion articles, project plans, and step-by-step video instruction.

View All Video Workshops

View All

Up Next

Featured Workshop

a diagram of a round Shaker stand and an image or a round Shaker stand

Shaker candle stand with Christian Beckvoort

He’s built dozens of round Shaker stands over four decades, so there is no one more qualified than Christian Becksvoort to demonstrate making this classic. In this seven-part video series,…