Computer desk in Oak (now finished)

[mailee]

Well I got most of the AWO machined up and started on the computer desk late yesterday. I think I must be on steroids as I got the main carcass built almost ready for assembly.

I then made a start on the internals and got those cut to size.

Got to change the thicknesser blades tomorrow as the Oak has taken it's toll on them.

 

[mailee]

Well after fitting the new set of blades in the thicknesser I made a start on the top. This took me a lot longer than I anticipated as it was pretty fiddly in places. The centre panels are fitted loose with T&G's. I ran out of time to glue it all up so will do that on Monday.

 

[dejaa]

Hi
I'm intrigued by your bottom picture and how you managed to get the infill panels fitted inside the "frame" border without any apparent visible expansion gaps. What is the overall width and thickness of the infill section?

Many years ago i made a dining room table about 2Mtrs x 1Mtr from solid oak about 1" thick with a walnut border about 3" wide mitred at the corners. Being aware of the likely expansion changes between the seasons I left about 10mm gap all the way around so that I could fill this space later after the timber had settled in a contrasting wood. Even so, after selling my 200yr old farmhouse and now living in a 5 year old well insulated bungalow the centre infill has shrunk by several mm. Fortunately I chose not to glue permanently, so have been able to replace the thin infill strips with slightly wider pieces. My understanding is that to create such a table/surface with border frame as apposed to breadboard end would be best done with plywood/MDF and veneered; hence my original question

Grateful for any helpfull comments, even though I have now retired.

David

 

[mailee]

Although it doesn't show in the photo there are small gaps between all the pieces to allow it to float and I am just praying it will be enough not to expand out of the frame. The pieces are all 1" thick and 3" wide set into a 1" frame.

 

[dejaa]

Although it doesn't show in the photo there are small gaps between all the pieces to allow it to float and I am just praying it will be enough not to expand out of the frame. The pieces are all 1" thick and 3" wide set into a 1" frame.

Thank you for your explanation, it's what I would have expected, but as you say the photo didn't show it. I once made some solid T/G Iroko gates and left a 2.5mm gap between each one - It wasn't enough!!.

 

[mailee]

I got a bit more done today. I started by getting the top in a glue up and left it in the clamps. Then started work on the drawer frames. I altered the design a little and placed the drawers in the centre. This was due to the hinges which will be concealed ones which would foul the drawers if they were fitted at the left hand side. Rather than make the drawers smaller I opted to put them in the centre. Anyway by the end of today I had the top out of the clamps and the drawer frames finished.

 

[mailee]

I got the drawer front made today.

Spent most of this afternoon making the doors and got them in glue up at the end of the day.

I also glued up some pieces in preparation for the drawers.

 

[mailee]

Today started well as i set up the box joint jig.

I cracked on and got about three sides done and then disaster struck! I had been concentrating on cutting the pins and hadn't noticed the router cutter had risen in the collet!

It doesn't show in the photo but the fingers had gradually increased in depth! :shock: You can just see the difference on the far side of this shot.

So it was back to the start again to make another side piece after clamping up the collet tight. :roll:
I eventually got all of the pieces done and ready for assembly.

After a good sanding and putting a groove into the sides I cut a frew pieces of thin ply for the bottoms and did some assembly.

With all four of the boxes in glue up I finished off the details on the top by rounding over the edge and smoothing out the corners.

Next I made a start on the slide out keyboard tray using a piece of veneered MDF. I started lipping the edges with some solid Oak. I left these in a glue up overnight and will finish the drawers and the slide out in the morning.

 

[monkeybiter]

I really appreciate the way you point out all your little disasters, stops me feeling such a wally.
Re. the finger joints I've had exactly the same happen to me, it's one of the reasons I now do them on the TS. I haven't got a square toothed blade but the non-square bottom isn't really that noticeable unless you're looking for it.

 

[mailee]

Well Mike it just goes to show we are all human and make mistakes. (and I have made some right ones in the past) :lol: I used to cut finger joints on the table saw but found this method much quicker. It was my own fault as the cutter is held in an Extreme extension which is just snitched up with an allen key but I hadn't snitched it up enough! Luckily this time I didn't get the sides wrong which I remember happened a while ago when I cut them all without the offset! Doh! :roll: :lol: Oh well we all live and learn. :wink:

 

[mailee]

I got all of the drawers sanded and then routed the finger hole in the fronts using a template.

I got them all fitted but did have to sand a bit off one of the sides as it was binding slightly at the rear.

After tidying up the lipping on the slide out I got it fitted.

I then hinged the front of the drawer. I used some small butt hinges so they aren't too obtrusive.

I then got some pieces glued up for the four shelves and left them in the clamps overnight. Tomorrow I shall fit the back and get the shelves finished then a good sanding is on the cards.

 

[mailee]

Today I managed to get it all together after a good sanding. I finished the shelves which will be adjustable. I also got the doors drilled for the concealed hinges and finally got them hung. They need trimming to fit now and I will get this done on Monday. I still have to make the door knobs which I shall also get done on Monday. Anyway this is how it looks now.

 

[monkeybiter]

Will there be any venting to the rear, for when the computer is switched on? Or will it only be run with the doors open?

Looking very nice by the way.

 

[mailee]

No mike. There will be no computer inside, it is just for storage. My customer uses a laptop but has a keyboard attached to it. :wink:

 

[mailee]

Well at last it is finished. (I hate waxing) I have spent the last couple of days making the knobs and putting the finish on it. I realised how rusty I was at turning as it has been so long since I had done any. Here it is all complete.

Here with all of the shelves installed.

I had some green baize left over from the cutlery tray so used this for the bottom of the drawers. :wink:

This was the cutlery tray now it's finished.

 

[monkeybiter]

That's a handsome piece.

You should enter the turning comp next year, just to keep your hand in. Only four items in 12 months.

 

[mailee]

I just got back from delivering this and took some shots of it in place.



Customer was happy with it and said he will recommend me.

 

[Claymore]

lovely work and what a stylish desk! love the idea of a very solid and heavy desk for a lightweight laptop lol

 

[n0legs]

That's not just a desk it's a cracking piece of furniture.
Nice job Mailee.

 

[MickCheese]

I really like the design. As usual looks very well made too.

I thoroughly enjoy your WIP's, it does help to inspire me to venture out into my workshop.

Thanks

Mick