This Viewer Project comes from Jeff. He writes:
I have never submitted anything like this before, but I feel especially proud of this piece. This is a writing desk, made out of solid oak. I used a brown gel stain and varnish to finish. The reason I am proud of the desk is because I have CP, and woodworking is a hobby that I have taken up a few years ago. Only recently in my life have I found the gumption to try to make furniture for someone else. This, I find, especially daunting when I know the piece will be a central item of furniture in someone else’s home. Yikes. But the woodworking world is comprised of some very patient and generous people. And you, Marc, are on that list. You are an excellent teacher, and take the time to explain what many others may consider to be the seemingly mundane. However, for someone new to the craft, and eager to learn, those lessons are invaluable.
The desk is approximately 5 feet wide, 30†tall, and 26: deep. The top is comprised of 5/4 oak and the balance is ¾ oak. The drawers are half blind dovetails, and are supported by mechanical slide: The $7 pairs at Home Depot work perfectly fine. Aprons are joined by mortise and tenons. Finally, for those amateurs out there like me, I want you to know, that I had to finish the top 4 times (!!!) before I got it right, the drawer slides took forever to adjust so that there is a smooth in and out action, and I was absolutely shaking-nervous when I installed the center drawer pull, as I knew that the 2 holes needed to be spot-on and level. But I have learned the most from my mistakes, and I have only grown by trying something new. And if I can do it with CP, so can anyone with patience, imagination….and sometimes just a good beer.
10 Responses to “Jeff’s Writing Desk – Viewer Project”
Jeff Nice work!! I to am an amature and I must agree this site is great along with Marc & Nicole. Keep learning and enjoying your creations.
Duane
Jeff,
Totally Cool!! Great choice on the finish.
Very nice Jeff, I like that.
Great job Jeff. I likewise have benefited immensely from Marc’s detailed instruction.
And I like your attitude about patience, imagination, and a good beer. Personally, what I lack in imagination, I make up for by being deliberate (read slow, careful and tedious).
great looking desk! Feels great to finish a big project like that doesn’t it? you could walk around and look at it all day right?!?!?
Nice desk! I too am an amature, and need to start work on a computer desk for my wife. Thanks for the inspiration.
Excellent work, don’t feel like the Lone Ranger finish-wise; sometimes it just works that way.
I went to a seminar a few years ago that taught less than 10% of all mail is handwritten anymore. Amazing. Amazing because, when you get home and sort through your mail, its the handwriiten one that you open up first!!
Thank you for your kinds words, guys. I hope my friend Eliot, for whom this was built, uses these oak planks to write and connect with others…one note at a time.
Awesome desk. I need/want a ‘writing table’ (some place to sit, without a computer, and Sort Stuff Out). I wouldn’t even call myself an amateur yet, but I’m reading up on woodworking. A desk such as this one is in my future, I think.
As others, I am a amateur woodworker. I’ve tinkered around the house. I recently started to take on a few projects outside the house. It is a wonderful feeling when others appreciate your hard work. My next project will be a writing desk for the wife. I was just going to use plywood for the bulk of it, but now I’m rethinking this. Great job!