Competition entry WIP: writing desk

[Night Train]

That's fair enough, no point plaining waste.

Plan ahead though to make sure that you are able to hold and support the work to allow for planing, shaping and cramping later on.

You can saw out the brace with a built in cramping block parallel to the back of the leg. The block can be sawn off later when it is assembled.

 

[stef]

That's fair enough, no point plaining waste.

Plan ahead though to make sure that you are able to hold and support the work to allow for planing, shaping and cramping later on.

You can saw out the brace with a built in cramping block parallel to the back of the leg. The block can be sawn off later when it is assembled.

good call !

 

[stef]

Progress has been good on this project.
i managed to cut all the inner braces and shape the four of them.i shaped the tenon end so that i could use the router table to remove the material to make the actual tenon. That's done, but not shown on the picture. Result is spot on. the curve of the tenon follows exactely the curve of the leg.

I also progressed on the top. I worked out how i wanted to make the panel-like top, and started shaping the oak.
I picked some really nicely grained pieces to form the top. I also followed what was suggested here, and made the top thicker at the joint. I'll thin it towards the edges.

I have almost completely shaped the 5 components of the panel.

 

[stef]

Top, nearly finish.. the grain on that oak is spot on.

 

[stef]

Finally got a chance to work on this project again. weather was glorious, so i took the router outside, and routed the mortices for the legs. I also glued some of the legs.

And here is the top, with frame.

 

[stef]

legs are in..now thinking about the box..

 

[Blister]

Wooo , nice , its coming on well :lol:

 

[The Shark]

Hi Stef,
This is looking good. Will be interested to see the finished article.

Malc

 

[stef]

Thanks !
it is getting tricky now.
it's not easy to manage all those curves, and cut parts that will fit, without having anything glued in place !
Its also tricky to keep thinking about how the wood will age and shrink, and what impact it will have on the piece. like the squareness of the legs, for example.

 

[stef]

I worked all day on the desk.
i spent a long time sanding and scraping the legs, ready for the finish.
Most parts are now ready to assemble.
This is the workshop

The legs, finished.
Routing the dust trap on the top

Fitting the edge of the top flap.

The two panels for the flap. I sliced a thick plank using a hand saw to get those two parts ..took me ages !

Glued

The drawer support

I am using a large MDF sheet to check it's all square

I think i am going to see this project through now.. it's been very difficult.
I underestimated the headache that those curves would bring. There is nothing square to hang on to with them, and i really felt like throwing the towel a few times.
I hope i'll get more points for using reclaimed oak, as it did not help !
:wink:

 

[oddsocks]

Stef, I really like the look of the desk. For some reason I had missed this thread until now so it was good to see the progress and the finals shape of the legs.

One concern I have is with the flap given that it was recently ripped from one plank - how are you going to stop it cupping (even if slightly) as any cupping would result in it not sitting flush in the top of the desk? I built a much simpler desk many years ago in chestnut and included a lift up lid in one part but it bowed within a few weeks and needed to be re-ripped and jointed to get it flat (hence my concern!).


Dave

 

[stef]

Stef, I really like the look of the desk. For some reason I had missed this thread until now so it was good to see the progress and the finals shape of the legs.

One concern I have is with the flap given that it was recently ripped from one plank - how are you going to stop it cupping (even if slightly) as any cupping would result in it not sitting flush in the top of the desk? I built a much simpler desk many years ago in chestnut and included a lift up lid in one part but it bowed within a few weeks and needed to be re-ripped and jointed to get it flat (hence my concern!).


Dave

umm..
i am green..
so i didnt really consider this could happen.
however, i have a thicker piece at both ends of the flap which should hopefully keep it all lined up.
i cut the plank about 2 months ago, and just flattened it a bit recently. hopefully all the cupping has already taken place..

 

[OPJ]

It appears to be coming together very well indeed. I look forward to seeing this one completed in time! :wink:

 

[crazylilting]

Impressed!!!

Great work, perhaps take the flap pieces inside and let them acclimatize before planing them taking care to flip them every day then when joining them pay close attention to the grains natural movement and put a finish on both sides right away.

 

[Ironballs]

I remember this piece, very nice design and I can sympathise with the issues curves give you, though mine are much simpler. Keep pushing for that deadline

 

[stef]

Today's progress report.
a drawer..
The compulsary dovetail work
not the nicest DT in the world, but they are good enough.

lining up

cutting

fitting

and here is a nice little drawer for the desk. big enough for a few pens !

 

[stef]

almost there...
I stained it this afternoon..