Dionysus Desk(s) W I P. Completed

[Mattty]

Latest update from Friday-

In the workshop at 8am- Got the woodburner going and kettle on then head down for work. The first job was the final machining of the drawer components- The draw sides and back being 9mm Walnut and the front 19mm spalted Beech-

The parts for each drawer were cut and trimmed to size and the drawer fronts and sides cut and fitted-

The 2 frames now got a final final rub down and into the finishing room. They both got a coat of this applied very thinly with a brush-

Back to the drawers- Thin traditional ones on this piece, all componets where marked up and the tails were cut in pairs-

The pins marked out off the tails-

The rear pins waste sawn out with a small jewellers saw, then pared down to the scribe line-

Dry fitted- I just knock them together a few mill to check they will go and then they are ready for glue-

All the internal surfaces where then sanded and the joints glued up. No clamps required her, just very tight joints.
Whilst the drawers were drying the 2 pieces of Oak for the drawer bottoms where shot and jointed-

This is at 13mm and will be put through the speed sander down to 12mm.

I also made the drawer slips from plain Beech-

These are 13mm high and 15mm wide. The groove is 6mm square and the top surface has a little cove detail.
I made quite a few lengths so i can use them on my next job as well, they were a little time consuming.
All routing done on a cheapo B & Q router table. I have a bigger, expensive one and a vice mounted one also, but i often turn to this cheap one though, it's especiall useful at these smaller mouldings.

The drawer slips where all cut and mitred to fit in the drawers-

The back of the slip is notched around the drawer back

The drawer bottoms where sanded to the finished thickness and cut to size. They were then rebated on 3 edges to fit the slips. This was done on the spindle moulder.

Thats as far as i got yesterday. I have about 4ish hours work left. I'll post the final report when it's done.

 

[Mr Ed]

Looking good mate - the drawer slips are very flash!

Ed

 

[OPJ]

Yep, I'm really liking the cove-detail on those drawers slips. There are many situations where you can get away with using walnut for the drawer sides - however, with the spalted beech front, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt as you seem to know what you're doing elsewhere!! :wink:

Actually, I'm not yet clear on how the slips notch around the drawer back - doesn't that mean the bases won't finish flush on top? Or, even with the rebates, you wouldn't be able to slide them in... Sorry, it's probably just me as this is an approach I haven't seen before.

 

[Mattty]

Yep, I'm really liking the cove-detail on those drawers slips. There are many situations where you can get away with using walnut for the drawer sides - however, with the spalted beech front, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt as you seem to know what you're doing elsewhere!! :wink:

Actually, I'm not yet clear on how the slips notch around the drawer back - doesn't that mean the bases won't finish flush on top? Or, even with the rebates, you wouldn't be able to slide them in... Sorry, it's probably just me as this is an approach I haven't seen before.

Hi Olly. Thanks for the comments. Yes the bottom will be 6mm down from the top of the slips. I have done the other way but am less keen on the small gap around the drawer bottom were it meets the slips.

From another thread i seem to remember you mentioned you prefered light sides and a dark front. I've chosen walnut sides as a strong contrast to the Beech front so the handcut dovetails stand out visually. Is there another reason i don't know about why you wouldn't use Walnut for drawer sides?
I had planned on Cedar of Lebanon for the drawer bottoms, this would be my normal choice, I thought i had a plank but it wasn't there when i went looking.

 

[OPJ]

All I meant with my comment on the drawers sides is that walnut is a beautiful timber timber in its own right and you wouldn't normally 'relegate' to being hidden inside the construction for 50% of the time. That's certainly not to suggest that it isn't tough enough for the sides. There's no problem with light pins, either; it's down to personal preference.

...If we all made everything exactly the same here way here, it would be a pretty boring forum, wouldn't it!!

Don't worry, I'm sure that plank of cedar will turn up one day when you least expect it! :wink:

Actually, I reckon those coves could work very well - might be a place to stores the odd pen or pencil and stop it rolling around the drawer!

 

[Mattty]

All I meant with my comment on the drawers sides is that walnut is a beautiful timber timber in its own right and you wouldn't normally 'relegate' to being hidden inside the construction for 50% of the time. That's certainly not to suggest that it isn't tough enough for the sides. There's no problem with light pins, either; it's down to personal preference.

...If we all made everything exactly the same here way here, it would be a pretty boring forum, wouldn't it!!

Don't worry, I'm sure that plank of cedar will turn up one day when you least expect it! :wink:

Actually, I reckon those coves could work very well - might be a place to stores the odd pen or pencil and stop it rolling around the drawer!

Phew.. i thought you knew something i didn't about walnut! Your right about design to, it is very subjective. I'll sell the idea of the pencil holder next time i'm pricing. lol. Cheers Ol.

 

[Mattty]

Desks done- Update to come tomorrow.

I went to the auctions today and treated myself to this-

And for some reason also bought this-

 

[wizer]

Is that an overhead router? What will you use that for? I've always looked at them and wondered what use they are?

 

[Ironballs]

We've used one in college and they are quite useful as you can see what you're doing rather than it all being underneath - like when you hand hold a router, but fixed.

They are however, the loudest machines in the shop and sound like a billion mice simultaneously having their nuts removed. Ear protection advised

 

[Mattty]

Like Ib said. Though it's a bit of a punt really Wizzy. The main use for me will be template work, there is a pop up pin in the table directly below the chuck for that purpose.

 

[Mattty]

Ok, desks moved into my house for a temporary store until delivery.

The drawers were completed last time, the only thing to do was the drawer handle. I made a late decision to cut out na finger pull on the front drawer rail.
I made an MDF template and coped out the rough

The remaining waste was then trimmed out with the router and temolate cutter

The drawes were then final fitted with the tops off (much easier) and the drawer bottoms fitted to the slips

A slight **** up somewhere left me with only 3mm on the top edge of this drawer front dovetail-

Everything oiled again-

This sappy top is being replaced.

The finished articles-

Thanks to everyone for the comments and for looking

 

[Karl]

Very nice Matty.

I reckon the next Northern Bash should be at your workshop - looks very droolworthy!

Cheers

Karl

 

[promhandicam]

Proper job mate. I must admit I prefer the look of the one with the cherry top - the bit of wood that you picked for the front really sets it off.

Steve

 

[Ironballs]

Excellent work and a high level of accuracy in the finish, I hope you can save the middle board from the sappy top as it looks fantastic.

Agree with Karl about the next bash, dead handy for me too

 

[JonnyD]

Nice work Mattty. Finished Tables look great.

Cheers

Jon

 

[xy mosian]

Well done Matty super work.

xy

 

[OPJ]

Nicely done. Those chamfers around the legs came out well.

 

[BradNaylor]

Lovely work, Matt.

I'm really impressed by the way you've made the transition from builder to furniture maker in less than a year. I reckon you, me, and Jonny are going to have to give that Nibbo bloke a run in the next competition...


...judging by our speed though, we'll be able to enter about six pieces each!

:lol:

Brad

 

[MikeG.]

I reckon you, me, and Jonny are going to have to give that Nibbo bloke a run in the next competition...
Brad

Don't bother. He's mine for the taking next year........

Very nice work Matty, very nice.

Mike

 

[Mattty]

Lovely work, Matt.

I'm really impressed by the way you've made the transition from builder to furniture maker in less than a year. I reckon you, me, and Jonny are going to have to give that Nibbo bloke a run in the next competition...


...judging by our speed though, we'll be able to enter about six pieces each!

:lol:

Brad

The original transition from Joiner/Cabinet maker to Builder was a lot harder
Yes i think we should all have a go in the comp next year. Hopefully he will have a bit of company on the podium, though he will probably still be on the top step!