Walnut Desk

[edward alexander]

About 10 years back I made this desk-it was large 108"long and37"wide at the center-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/b.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/c.jpg
from the same load of walnut I had this board (6ft. long and 15in. wide) and have been thinking about making somewhat the same design again but with curved panels -
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0004.jpg
so I bring it into the shop and resaw it- -http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0011.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0012.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0015.jpg
I put the two pieces back together on a flat surface and mark them (just in case I get mixed up)-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0011-1.jpg
then I clamp them together and take them to the big jointer-I take a couple of good passes then a couple of lite ones-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0021.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0029.jpg
more to come
alex

[Prashun Patel]

That desk is a masterpiece. I love your design sense.

[GERALD HARGROVE]

That is a great looking desk, and beutiful wood.

[edward alexander]

After I joint them on the big jointer I take it to the bench and and take a few passes with a big jointer plane-this plane is 24" long and has a 2" blade it's made of rosewood and is heavy-the trick to hand planing this edge joint with the two boards together is that the plane iron be perfectly square with the bottom of the plane-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0033.jpg
then I unclamp the two pieces put them together as they will go when glued up put a light behind and mark the high spots then I clamp them back together and with a smoothing plane I take off the high spots-I have to take them apart and put the light behind them again a few times before I have them right-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0005.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0016.jpg
when I've got the edge joint right I hand plane the bandsaw marks out better to do this now before they are glued up -I could do this with machines but I enjoy doing it by hand-I start wit this 18" plane to take off the high spots then use these smaller planes to finish it up-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0020.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0018.jpg
to plane these whorls the irons have to be really sharp-and set just right-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0019.jpg
then I take them to the #1 table saw and square the ends-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0010.jpg
more to come
alex

[Keith Starosta]

WOW!!!! :eek:

I can't wait to see more pictures!

- Keith

[John Keeton]

Alex, the desk is a phenomenal piece of work! Great design, and nothing works together as well as walnut and curly maple in my book. Just great! Can't wait to see what you do with the "leftovers."

[edward alexander]

Now to glue the book-matched pieces - I nearly always use dowels for edge joints-as much to keep things lined up as anything-I mark for the dowels and bore the holes on a little Newton two bit horizontal borer-these are neat little machines and were made right here in texas-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0028.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0032.jpg
I like to use the pre-cut dowels but I don't have any-so I take a 3/8" dowel rod and with a block plane I plane a little flat on one side then do the same on the opposite side so any glue can get out if I put too much in a hole-I cut the 27 dowels I'll need by hand-I could cut them faster on one of the bandsaws but I'm not in that big of a hurry-besides anytime you can do something by hand you can always use the practice-I point the ends with a sharp chisel and a curved riffler the I put a drop of glue in each hole in one board and tap the dowels in-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0040.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0041.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0043.jpg
I make sure everything thing lines up then clamp it-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0047.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001.jpg
I take it out from the clamps the next morning and it looks good-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0008.jpg
this phase one-all done next steam bending the frames.
alex

[Rob Cunningham]

That's an amazing desk. Beautiful wood and design.

[Igor Petrenko]

Awesomeness!

[edward alexander]

the next step is to find the true curve , this will be determined by how much spring back happens with the steam bent frames-I take a piece of 1"aspen and draw a curve then bandsaw it out-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0007.jpg
The steam box-is made from spanish cedar it has a 1/2"copper pipe with 1/8" holes drilled every inch fastened to the top- and has dowels through side to side for a rack -you want a steam box to be built loose so it leaks a bit also you want drain holes-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0008-1.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0006-1.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-1.jpg
my steam maker
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0005-1.jpg
I take a piece of 1"walnut steam it for an hour then I use the piece of aspen I cut the curve for a mold and clamp the steamed walnut over nite-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0003.jpg
the next morning I take the test piece out of the mold-it's sprung back 1/2" on each end---the test piece-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-2.jpg
compensating for the spring back I make the real mold from a piece of fir timber-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0003-1.jpg
then I make a simple drying jig-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0007-1.jpg
I make a backing strap from a 1 1/4" bandsaw blade I cut two three foot lengths and grind off the teeth then on the back side I hold them together with gaffers tape (for ya'll that live in that close bordering state that's duck tape) I cut two pieces of plastic to put on each side of the walnut so it won't take on some weird color-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0005-2.jpg
more to come
alex

[John Timberlake]

Great job. I love the design. Thanks for all the pictures. Nice to see how things ar done. Always another way to do stuff.

[Bill Wyko]

WOW a true craftsman the old school ways. Your work is absolutely stunning. I'd like to shake your hand. (I think we're a little too far apart for that though.) Thank you for sharing your fine work.:D

[edward alexander]

Now I'm ready to bend these pieces-I looked all through my walnut to get straight grain-I need nine pieces-five for the back and four for the front and I'll do one extra --as it turned out I need two extra -one failed being bent the other had sap wood on one side-I was going to hide it on the back side but wasn't paying attention and bent with the sap wood on the outside -oh well two test pieces for when I cut the grooves for the panels and cut the mortises in the front frames- if you do this always wear gloves , steam is 212 degrees-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-3.jpg
I use the clamps to hold the door closed-one hour in the box-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0010-1.jpg
15 min. in the mold-then 24 hours in the drying jig-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0015-2.jpg
now with this true curve I can made a templet for the legs and a mold for the panels-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0004-2.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0004-1.jpg
more to come-next making the curved panels
alex

[mike holden]

Alex,
That is a most intriguing piece of work.
I assume that it is your design.
Well done,
Mike

[Jim Becker]

Superb desk, Edward!

[John Thompson]

Great job and I love the shop.. brick walls.... wish I had brick walls.

Sarge..

[edward alexander]

Alex,
That is a most intriguing piece of work.
I assume that it is your design.
Well done,
Mike

Mike yes the design is mine-all my pieces are original-having said that-it's woodworking someone in the past is bound to have done it-I do take ideas from other pieces I see-example that cocobolo writing table I posted last week,the legs (that several people on this post complimented) are legs that Jim Krenov used-I'm sure that way back when Jim was a young man he saw some old guy using that same design of leg.

alex

[Mark Singer]

Edward,
This is truly quite a piece of work! I love the design and the detail! Your use of hand and machine tools is nicely balanced to achieve speed and excellent results. Wonderful joinery throughout! This work is exceptional!

[Russell Tribby]

Outstanding work. I love the design. The desk seems both robust and light at the same time. Thanks for the walk through with the walnut board, we're all anxiously awaiting more.

[David Keller NC]

Alex - OK, a dufus question - did you really use figured maple as the secondary wood on the original desk, or as an accent wood? I really can't imagine using maple as a true secondary wood (i.e., for drawer sides) - dovetailing walnut to maple (at least by hand) would be a nightmare...

Nice achievment in bending 1" thick walnut, BTW - that isn't easy (I know from lots of "woodstove" material after a few attempts!)

[Craig D Peltier]

You do great work. I really like your designs as well. The coves and the curves and the wood species make it for me. Its very masculine but beautiful as well.
Thanks for all the pics.
Im jealous on how big a space you have.

[John Thompson]

"Mike yes the design is mine-all my pieces are original-having said that-it's woodworking someone in the past is bound to have done it-I do take ideas from other pieces I see-example that cocobolo writing table I posted last week,the legs (that several people on this post complimented) are legs that Jim Krenov used-I'm sure that way back when Jim was a young man he saw some old guy using that same design of leg".

alex

***


Now... here is a man that steps on the mound with total confidence and doesn't throw a curve ball. You just spoke a mouthful and worth repeating. I think many times we get wrapped up in ourselves and fail to realize what you just stated... most of our design elements are not really original as they have been used somewhere over 5000 years.

When you are basically building a modified box in most cases... there are a limited number or ways to do it and I personally think that over the course of 5000 years they probably have been used. So.. I for one Alex, appreciate the fact you stepped up and stated the obvious if one gave it a little thought.

I too.. design my own stuff on a simple note-pad and then start building it an hour latter. But.. everything I visioned is something I probably have seen already somewhere in the course of 61 years... seen in a picture or read about. It's still one of kind so to speak but.... I cannot take credit for the full design as most elements were done well before I showed on the WW scene.

Highest regards...

Sarge..

[Prashun Patel]

I thought the desk was nice, but man that rosewood plane is to DIE for. That thing's magnificent.

[John Thompson]

"Alex - OK, a dufus question - did you really use figured maple as the secondary wood on the original desk, or as an accent wood? I really can't imagine using maple as a true secondary wood (i.e., for drawer sides) - dovetailing walnut to maple (at least by hand) would be a nightmare"... David K..

I will let Alex answer the question you ask of him about whether he intentionally used figured maple as a secondary wood but... I wanted to add something that happened to me just yesterday.

I went up the street to my hard-wood supplier to get some soft maple for hidden drawer inside a cabinet on a QSWO computer desk-hutch. I saw some nice figured maple that I thought I might like to have to make some small boxes in the future. I ask the price as I was thinking of picking up some even though I came for standard soft maple.

The price in this case was $.70 cheaper for the figured than the soft maple as they had culled out a large amount that had tiny knots here and there.. a chip in the surface or a bit of end split which could all be worked around or simply cut out of a portion.So... I came home with figured maple to use as a secondary wood and payed about $21 less than for bland soft maple with no character.

I an still debating whether to use it for the drawers or bite the bullet and save it for something where it will have more presence. I hate the hide the figure but.... :confused:

Sarge..

[Jim Tobias]

Edward,
The desk is a wonderful design and is both elegant and substantial at the same time!! I am following the next build closely as it is apparent to me that I will learn some new techniques. Thanks for taking the time.

Jim

[Rob Russell]

Great work and it's a real treat to see all the steps laid out.

[Jarrod McGehee]

Thats some really nice work alex and great color on the tabletop you've got going. I really saw a lot and I've been wanting to make a steambox also so your design helps a bit. Keep up the GREAT work.I look forward to seeing more posts.

[edward alexander]

I thought the desk was nice, but man that rosewood plane is to DIE for. That thing's magnificent.
I'll go back to building the desk in just a minute-I make four planes from this piece of rosewood stump-

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0003-19.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0006-21.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0002-20.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0007-13.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0012-11.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0008-18.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0005-15.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0001-26.jpg
I keep a few planes around the shop-around 20 at the main work bench and a few more at the back bench (the bench at the back of the shop) of course they are never all sharp at the same time , I'm soon going to make three are four from some old growth quarter sawed hard maple-
back to the desk-
alex

[edward alexander]

Alex - OK, a dufus question - did you really use figured maple as the secondary wood on the original desk, or as an accent wood? I really can't imagine using maple as a true secondary wood (i.e., for drawer sides) - dovetailing walnut to maple (at least by hand) would be a nightmare)

David -- the drawer fronts and the backs of the three top drawers were curly maple and the sides were birds eye- if you look at the pictures you'll see the back of the top drawers from the back,so if you were sitting there across from the attorney ( who bought that desk) and he pulled open the drawer you would see it pull away- the desk I'm doing now will be the same-as far as I know that's an original-I've never seen it before but like -John Thompson said - this work has been around a long time.
alex

[edward alexander]

Making the curved panels -the panels will be curly nargusta - with five pieces in each panel with the grain going up and down on one piece then side to side on the next then up an down-side to side -up and down-I'll bend them in a veneer press-they will have to fit the groove in the frames I steam bent -first I make the mold-again I use a large piece of fir-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-4.jpg
I glue two of these pieces together after that's out of the clamps I trace the curve using one of the bent frames for a templet-then band saw it out-then I line it with 1/16" plastic -
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-5.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0010-2.jpg
next to find the curly nargusta I'll use - I look at about fifty pieces and pick four-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0010-3.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0003-2.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0002.jpg
I find what I'm looking for and cut them by hand-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0004-3.jpg
after I cut the eight pieces for the front and back I find the pieces for the inside-- of course this is veneer that's not nearly so nice--then I wipe each piece with a wet rag and put it all in a plastic bag for a few days to soften it up-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0007-2.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0007-3.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0009.jpg
more to come
alex

[sean m. titmas]

i was following along with this wonderful post so i could learn something new or elevate my woodworking skills by seeing how someone else works and i have to say that im blown away by the rosewood planes you are making. i would really like to see some details about how you go about building such pieces of working art. that is something i would like to add to my bench.

[edward alexander]

i was following along with this wonderful post so i could learn something new or elevate my woodworking skills by seeing how someone else works and i have to say that im blown away by the rosewood planes you are making. i would really like to see some details about how you go about building such pieces of working art. that is something i would like to add to my bench.

Sean-to make the Krenov style plane I guess it would be best to go to the source - Jim shows how he does it in his 2nd book The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking-also in Fine WoodWorking #126 oct. 1997 there is a good article and a great picture of jim on the cover-of course through the years I've changed the way jim taught to methods that more suit me.
I hope you do make some wooden planes-and if so you'll discover one of great pleasures of wood working.

alex

[edward alexander]

After this post I'll be up to where I'm really at-while the veneer is getting soft in the plastic bag I cut the grooves in the frames-I use the router table and break two bits doing it-when something like this happens before I can even turn around the dog has got up and left the shop-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0011-3.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-6.jpg
the five pieces that will make up each panel taped together - I line the mold with wax paper then I glue each side and get them in the right place on the mold then tape them in place-then into the press-I made this press years ago - it's 30" wide and 8 ft. long with 27 screws-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0008-2.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0010-4.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0013.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0019-1.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0024.jpg
out of the press-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0028-1.jpg
they fit perfect-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0032-1.jpg
the smart dog-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/TEXAS1054.jpg
more to come
alex

[Paul Murphy]

I love the desk, the wood, the craftsmanship. Thanks for showing how you do this type of project. I really enjoy the progress pictures.

[Rob Cooper]

Only one question. How do you keep the sawdust out of the pup's fur? ;)

Seriously, I am enjoying your step by step on this project. Hopefully some of your skill will rub off electronically.

[Vince Shriver]

Alex, great post, thanks. I'm with you all the way right up to "backing strips". I assume they are put in the mold, with duct tape on one side of the metal(holding them together), and plastic between the workpiece and the other side of the metal. Why do you put in the backing strips, and is the workpiece sandwiched between two backing strips? BTW, the pictures are just terrific -- really looking forward to more. Vince

[travis howe]

Many many times here on SMC I have been amazed at what people do and still am.... Edward, I have no idea what your background it and I'm a newbie woodworking but I have to say this entire post is stunning in many different ways.

I presume this is your full time business? You are truely gifted my friend!
Too bad I didn't have you for a neighbor!;)

Travis
Frederick,CO

[Jarrod McGehee]

Alex this post is great. I'm learning so much from your posts. I'm really trying to follow along with the desk and the build but, like so many others have said, those planes you make are really awesome too. and I really like how you do all the bending and lamination too.

[J. Z. Guest]

Nice work, as usual alex. I like the in-process show.

Lots of folks seem to have missed the fact that you're building something else.

[edward alexander]

Only one question. How do you keep the sawdust out of the pup's fur? ;) .

Rob-he's not a pup-he's an old dog named townes-I got him the day his name-sake the late great Townes Van Zandt crossed over the great divide-as far as keeping the sawdust out of his fur-he loves it-rolls in it- townes is on the brink of becoming a famous dog- he had a part in the movie that was shot in Smithville last summer staring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn -oh by the way I don't really kick my dog.

alex

[edward alexander]

Alex, great post, thanks. I'm with you all the way right up to "backing strips". I assume they are put in the mold, with duct tape on one side of the metal(holding them together), and plastic between the workpiece and the other side of the metal. Why do you put in the backing strips, and is the workpiece sandwiched between two backing strips? BTW, the pictures are just terrific -- really looking forward to more. Vince

Vince-The backing strap is used for support on the convex face of a bend that's where the wood fibers are in tension so the backing strap is only used on the outside,on the concave face or the inside the fibers are in compression-and your right the duct tape is only to hold the two pieces together-the 1 1/4" bandsaw blade was the only spring steel I had but I needed a 2 1/2" wide piece ( that's the width of the frames I bent) so I have one less big bandsaw blade-the alternative would be to drive into Austin and buy a three foot piece of 2 1/2: spring steel-50 miles each way.

alex

[David Duke]

I love the desk, the wood, the craftsmanship. Thanks for showing how you do this type of project. I really enjoy the progress pictures.

I just want to repeat what Paul has said, this is fantastic work done by a true craftsman. I was just telling my brother that I wished there was someone here close to me so that I could visit and learn first hand.

Thanks once again for taking the time to post your progress.

[Jeffrey Makiel]

Nice photo essay!
-Jeff :)

[Ryan Sparreboom]

I'll just chime in as well that your work looks fantastic. I am a relative newbie to ww'ing as well but have worked with both walnut and maple a fair amount. I especially love walnut and love seeing other projects using it.
Your techniques are very intriguing and I look forward to seeing more.
Someday I'll tackle steam bending ....

Ryan

[Kyle Tucker]

Alex,

Simply amazing. This entire thread is like reading a great book - I have been engrossed from the beginning, and I can't wait to see how it ends - thank you! Your work is breathtaking, and I find your documentation of the process very interesting and helpful. Keep up the great work and keep those pics coming!

Kyle

[Jerry Balzell]

A very talented craftsman. Thank you for sharing.:)

[edward alexander]

I'm going to back up a bit and show part of how I make a piece--I draw a real size drawing usually on a piece of 1/4" ply-wood--so after I had glued the top up and was sure of the real size I drew the desk from the back-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-7.jpg
by working like this it's easy for me to check my work-I keep these drawings on a painters easel next to my work-bench also it's a good place to make notes -cut list etc.-instead of pieces of paper ( me being me I can never find those pieces of paper) now the front of the desk is the same but instead of the panels on the ends there will be four drawers and where the middle panels are -on the front will be where you sit and of course the frame wont go straight across but both top and bottom frame will be like so-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-8.jpg
after I had steam bent the frames for the panels and had the true curve I make a templet for the legs-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0008-3.jpg

and then made a real size end drawing on the back of the piece of plywood that has the drawing of the back -
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0004-4.jpg
I'm working on the legs now and will try and post progress this evening-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0010-5.jpg
alex

[edward alexander]

after I make the real size drawings I make a cut list and go into the wood room and find the wood for all the parts-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0002-1.jpg
I would like to get the four legs from the same piece so the grain and the color will match-the piece of walnut I will use I split on the big bandsaw-so it's more manageable -
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0003-3.jpg
then using the templet I find the four legs-I wont to have sap wood on the back side of each leg-I mark the four legs cut them into four pieces then bandsaw them out-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0035.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0007-34.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0003-4.jpg
then I make a templet to mark the sides of the legs-mark each leg and cut this out on the little bandsaw-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-9.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0006-2.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0009-1.jpg
to shape the legs I use a compass plane,rasp , spokeshaves,scrapers and sand-paper-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-10.jpg
smoothing out the marks from the rasp-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0006-3.jpg
more to come-
alex

[edward alexander]

cutting the coves-I use this CMT 6" six knife cove blade-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0001-11.jpg
the set-up is a fence at 45 degree to the blade-before anyone ask about the stone on the saw-I keep a stone one each of my machines-it's a safety thing-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0005-3.jpg
I've marked on the insert the high point of the blade-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0014.jpg
I mark the center of the end of my test piece-then I line a cutter with the mark on the insert with the blade at this place I line the center mark on the test piece with the center of the cutter then bring the fence against the edge of the test piece-clamp it in place and make a cut-you can see from the top of the the test piece that the first time I was off-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0018-1.jpg
I only need four cove pieces but I cut extra--this wood has a lot of chips and cracks,knots-then there is always the possibility I'll mess one up-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0020-1.jpg
-a feather board is a good idea for this operation though this time I don't use one-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0025.jpg
I'm showing this picture to show what not to do-when you finish the cut don't have your hand on the back of the piece being cut--if it should slip off-well after you come home from the hospital you'll have one heck of a mess to clean up also you won't be worried about going blind for awhile--your hand should be up a few inches on the board-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0036.jpg
each cut is only 1/16" or less - the way I do it is I'll take a pass turn the board and take another pass with the same side down but the opposite edge against the fence-turn the piece over and repeat-when I get nearly finished I start taking a much smaller cut--just a hair each pass--you'll save time later scraping and sanding
all done-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0004-6.jpg
to finish I'll use this little cove plane, scrapers and sandpaper-I keep about a half dozen goose neck scrapers on my bench-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0005-4.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/walnut%20desk/DSCF0003-5.jpg
more to come--
alex

[kazek supinski]

alex you do vary nice work and i love the desk.one of a kind

[Dan Mages]

Simply stunning. Would it be possible to one day get a photo tour of your shop?

Dan

[Jerry Olexa]

Edward I am in awe of your work...Extraordinary!!!

[edward alexander]

Simply stunning. Would it be possible to one day get a photo tour of your shop?

Dan

Dan- when I get time I'll post pictures of my place-
alex

[Eric DeSilva]

before anyone ask about the stone on the saw-I keep a stone one each of my machines-it's a safety thing-

Sorry, I've still gotta ask about the stone... How does that increase safety? Is it a process thing ("when I take the stone off I go through a mental checklist") or something else ("when the bad guys come in the shop, I always have a rock to throw at them")?

Love the thread...

[Chris Padilla]

Sorry, I've still gotta ask about the stone... How does that increase safety? Is it a process thing ("when I take the stone off I go through a mental checklist") or something else ("when the bad guys come in the shop, I always have a rock to throw at them")?

Love the thread...

+1...give is the story behind the stone! :D

[edward alexander]

OK---about the stones,they don't do nothing,just set there--moving them out of the way has become second nature after this much time--an old Apache out in New Mexico told to take special stone (these stones are special,they each one came from somewhere other than the place that the others came from;I think the stone on the little saw I was using for the coves came from a river bed in California--maybe) so anyway this old Apache told me to take special stones and put them by my head when I slept and I would never get headaches , well I don't know why he told me that - I don't get headaches and I had met him there at the foot of the Gila mountains in this old ice cream parlor (it had wooden floors) to find out what the roadrunners were saying to me--no kidding
I go walking in the desert and roadrunners come up and start talking-of course I don't know what they're saying they talk in roadrunner--so that's why I had met that old Apache in an ice cream parlor at the foot of the Gila mountains---and all he said was to put stones by my head and I wouldn't get headaches- couldn't find out anything about the roadrunners-though others have told me it's heavy - maybe it has to do with the trickster-anyway since
I don't get head aches I decided to put a special stone on each of my machines---all I can say is they've been there a long time and so far so good.

--You asked-


alex-

[Edward Garrett]

The desk, the process, the craftsmanship and the wisdom are great learning tools....you truly do have a special gift - thank you for sharing! And thanks for sharing the info about the stones - I, too, was just about to ask!

[Duncan Potter]

Thanks for the desk, the photos, and the stone story.

Gifts all.

[edward alexander]

It's been awhile since I posted,I'm working on the frames,there are two,top and bottom - the corners will be dovetailed with angle dovetails the cross pieces will be sliding dovetails-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8250.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8244.jpg
the walnut is 2 1/4"wide and 1 1/8"thick-I lay out the sliding dovetails,check against the real size drawing,and cut to length-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_7975.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_7965.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_7986.jpg
to cut the sliding dovetails I use the router table-I start with a straight bit to take out most of the cut then finish with a dovetail bit-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_7896.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_7991.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8169.jpghttp://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8184.jpg
now I cut out the middle part of the front two pieces-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8187.jpg
more to come---alex

[edward alexander]

To cut the side pieces of the frames I have to know the angles-I clamp the end pieces in place on the legs set a bevel then transfer to the wooden extension on my #2 table saw-the top frame will have a different angle than the bottom frame-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0001-44.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/DSCF0003-54.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8196.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8198.jpg
I cut the angles keeping cut offs from one end,these will be used to lay out the angled dovetails-I only need one of each but it's good to have an extra-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8209.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8255.jpg
I lay out the mortises,and cut them with my neat red-necked rigged mortiser-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8220.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8188.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8221.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8222.jpg
more to come-next cutting the angled dovetails-

alex

[edward alexander]

To lay out the angled dovetails I first set this square the thickness of the stock-I make it just a little proud,just a little-then mark the shoulders of the tails-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8229.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8233.jpg
I set a sliding bevel at about 12 degrees ,the angled cut off will go between the bevel and the piece being marked-http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8234.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8235.jpg
when you flip the bevel to mark the other side of the tail the block stays the same-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8264.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8268.jpg
next I continue the mark across the end grain,then put the piece back on the bench and with the sliding bevel and cut off mark the other side
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8270.jpg
before I saw down the line I take a chisel and tap each marked line-just a tap-the saw will find and follow this groove-I do the same on the shoulder marks-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8278.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8276.jpg
my dovetail jig-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8285.jpg
next cutting the dovetails
alex

[John Keeton]

Great progress post Alex! Some really efficient shortcut layout tips, and saving the angled waste is a super idea. I have done that on building stairs before, and it is a lot simpler than trying to duplicate an angle again.

I particularly like the exotic glue bottle on the bench with the cork - kind of holds together the woodworker????

[Tommy Emmons]

One word. Wow

[edward alexander]

Sawing the tails-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8328.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8332.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8335.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8320.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8321.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8322.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8304.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8325.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8338.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8339.jpg
next chiseling out the waste.
alex

[Chris Padilla]

OOooooohhhh, handcut off-angle dovetails!!! Good stuff! :D :D

[mreza Salav]

Great series Ed, thanks for showing the masterpiece and all the steps.
I, like others, have been enjoying the step by step photos.

[Andy Gilbert]

Beautiful design, gorgeous wood and best of all a play by play. Thanks for sharing. It really helps those of us who are trying to get to that level to see how others work. Love the large crisp photos!!!!

[Dan Mages]

LOML wants to thank you for the beautiful wood porn. I sure hope you use a very good waterproof top for this desk to protect it from all of the drool.

Dan

[edward alexander]

Before I start chiseling away the waste I sharpen a few chisels-one of the chisels I'm going to use has a little chip off the corner of the edge,I've been planning on grinding it for awhile - also nearly all my chisel have been honed to where the hollow grind is about gone,so I grind a few chisels ,(six) the ones I'll be using today-first my grinder-I took a 1/3 hp 1725 rpm motor made an extension that screws to the shaft,the wheel is a 6" 60 grit pink wheel,I dress it so the center is a little higher than the edges,the tool rest is from a Delta wet dry grinder,I taped threads in the top corners so I can screw the 1" wide piece of cocobolo on-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8407.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8410.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8411.jpg
I set the angle of the tool rest with the chisel I'm going to grind-first I grind the edge down blunt,if there is a chip out on the edge grind down until it's gone,I just eye-ball it to keep it square-next I grind down to where the blunt edge is sharp again-I keep a jar of water for dunking the blade after three are four passes,also I keep my fingers close enough that if it starts getting to hot I'll know in time,if I should burn the metal it will be at one of the corners,the I grind it back blunt again and start over--but that never happens-
setting the angle-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8460.jpg
grinding the edge blunt-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8462.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8467.jpg
grind down to the edge-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8468.jpg
the hollow grind from the 6" wheel-
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/alexonetwoone/IMG_8478-1.jpg
alex

[John Nesmith]

I just found this thread. I sure am looking forward to the continuation of it. Incredible work, and much appreciated documentation.

[Igor Petrenko]

Edward! This is very cruel!
I have this thread bookmarked and checking every week for progress for almost a year now.
I hope you are just lazy and nothing bad happened to stop you posting here.

[Joe A Faulkner]

Alex, the desk is a phenomenal piece of work! Great design, and nothing works together as well as walnut and curly maple in my book. Just great! Can't wait to see what you do with the "leftovers."

What John Keeton said.

[Joshua Culp]

Edward! This is very cruel!
I have this thread bookmarked and checking every week for progress for almost a year now.
I hope you are just lazy and nothing bad happened to stop you posting here.

Alex was posting the same desk project on familywoodworking.org. He last logged onto that site 30 Oct 2009. He posted his phone number on that site (512 360 3083) if you want to check up on him.

[Zhi Tian]

Woo, what a masterpiece!

[Ken Shoemaker]

Edward,

As someone else said. Your "design sense" is outstanding. Very nice work.

[Joe Leigh]

Here's a woodworker that envisions a design and not only uses the tools at his disposal, but makes whatever tools he doesn't have to make that vision a reality instead of letting his tools dictate the outcome.

[Jerry Olexa]

OUTSTANDING work!!!! Very well done...Great design and attention to detail...

[jim sauterer]

double what everyone else said.great job.

[Bret Duffin]

You are my new hero! You also have some great old tools.

Bret