Student's Desks

[Mike OMelia]

Anybody have plans or thoughts on this? Sources?

Mike

[Greg Hawthorne]

Fine Woodworking #164, July/August 2003 describes a computer desk, moderate complexity. #77, July/August 1989 discusses design considerations.

[Cody Colston]

His Normness has plans (and video) for one.

http://www.newyankee.com/getproduct.php?608

[Danny Hamsley]

Here is a pic of a very simple but functional cherry student desk. The middle drawer is a pull out keyboard. You may be looking for something with more features/drawers, etc. This was meant to be a working study surface, not a storage unit.

[Mike OMelia]

Here is a pic of a very simple but functional cherry student desk. The middle drawer is a pull out keyboard. You may be looking for something with more features/drawers, etc. This was meant to be a working study surface, not a storage unit.

I like it. Have dimensions? Plans?

[Rod Sheridan]

Here's one my daughter made.............Rod.

[Mike OMelia]

I am building two of Danny Hamsley's desks. My real woodworking hobby is guitars (harp guitars in particular). Never built furniture before... so I started with a little trepidation. I don't like ruining a project and that little bit of fear made me opt for a less expensive wood... Poplar. We have a nice hardwood store about 30 minutes from my house. I built the legs by laminating 3 layers of 13/16 plank, then planing down to 2x2 (close finish with the drum sander.) Actually, I don't own a planer, I used my jointer. The legs are tapered to 1x1. The apron has a 1/8" bead on it. The top in the picture is still oversized, I have not cut it down for mounting. All in all, I have to say I really like the design! Simple, lots of storage, and a nice big work area. Kids are going to love them. Plan on using a redish brown stain since the kid's furiniture is dark. Thanks Danny!

Mike

[Danny Hamsley]

Mike,

That looks awesome! I cannot believe that this is the first furniture that you have built. Surely you jest! You did a great job on the mortise and tenons. I look forward to the finished desk!

[Mike OMelia]

Mike,

That looks awesome! I cannot believe that this is the first furniture that you have built. Surely you jest! You did a great job on the mortise and tenons. I look forward to the finished desk!

Yup, no furniture in my "portfolio". Just guitars. But your design is the key! It is so well thought out. You should submit it to FWW mag. It's simple, strong, and elegant. I would also suggest mapping to a smaller size for folks who do not want one as big. Anybody can build this, give your kids a real heirloom piece to keep and remember. Great design Danny!!

[Danny Hamsley]

Because it is so functional in the computer age, I bet a lot of people would build it.

[Mike OMelia]

My wife wants me to make end tables and a coffee table as well. Guess I need to start looking for designs.

Yeesh! My guitar habit is suffering.

Mike

[Brian Deakin]

I have been looking at designs for desks for a number of months , possible source of inspirations I have found are
The UK e bay site
Type oak desk into the search box(select auction only) and look for variants of the Abbess desk the link below is one such example but if you look over a couple of weeks you will see a number of variants in design some having a lighter appearance

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Old-Oak-Desk-/180605982526?pt=UK_Antiques_AntiqueFurniture_SM&hash=item2a0cf4973e#ht

Another site is http://www.hulstastudio.co.uk/home-office/home-office-desks.asp# its worth playing around in this site for other ideas for projects

Please note I some of the furniture on this site does include metal but the design ideas may give inspiration for other products

Another site is http://www.wharfside.co.uk/homeoffice.html

http://www.wharfside.co.uk/naver/homeoffice.html

http://www.wharfside.co.uk/team7/study.html

http://www.heals.co.uk/office-furniture/chatham-desk-walnut/invt/258619/&bklist=icat,5,shop,office,office_furniture,mycatre f?htxt=PsAGyAqy/DSGVBgOHPBfATKVETOKIWHcwqoICuDrG/xTcDPfxIrYzUvEu76RzzM6wutKTeo9AOCB%0AtDs76aYYKg%3D %3D

http://www.johnlewis.com/230869529/Product.aspx

http://www.johnlewis.com/230946726/Product.aspx

http://www.johnlewis.com/230633284/Product.aspx?source=63258


regards Brian

[Lee Schierer]

Here's a desk I built for my Granddaughter. I believe the plans area available from "Wood" magazine. Granddaughter's Desk (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?137303-Desk-for-a-Granddaughter&highlight=)

[Mike OMelia]

Well, here is the almost finished version. The parts for the other one are laying around the shop... just have to assemble. I wish I had thought more about the drawer slides... oh well. This was meant to be a short duration project, got to get back to my guitars. All that remains on the first model is to attach drawer fronts, and attach the top, trim down to size, add some edge beading and stain. I'm betting if I get an early start, I will have the other one done tomorrow as well. This entire thing is held together with glue and some 18 Ga air brads (mostly glue). I still can't get over how well proportioned this design is... very pleasing to my eye.

Danny, you rock! Can't thank you enough for all your off-line help!

Mike

[Mike OMelia]

Btw, if I were to build another, I would opt for wooden drawer slides (bottom), two for the big drawer and one each for the small drawers. I would keep the two middle transverse braces and not use the outside transverse braces. Yes, its a bit over-built in that regard. never did this before... live and learn. I'm using small "mending" couplers to attach the top (Lowes Borg.) Nothing more than small, flat metal plates with two oversized holes. Inset them in the sides and braces. The holes are sufficiently large to allow for expansion, contraction of the top. Just lightly screwed in place. Z clips would be nice, turn buttons better, but I am out of time.

Edit: Just remembered. I don't have a dovetail jig. Right now, the drawers are tacked and compression glued end on side, bottom is 1/4" birch ply in a floating slot. I will be drilling dowel holes on each end for added security. Best I could do with what I have.

Mike

[Mike OMelia]

What the heck... here is the project that is begging for attention... Dyer Model Harp Guitar with authentic wood inlays. All that colored stuff is bunches of layers of dyed maple laminates. The harp looks crappy right now because I have not sand down the epoxy pore filler. If you care, the dark wood is bubinga, the top is Lutz spruce. All detail inlay will be white or dyed maple. Oh, all the really dark wood is real ebony... (Gaboon) It costs a LOT but nothing looks like it.

Mike

[Danny Hamsley]

Hey Mike,

That is beautiful work. You are very talented!

[Mike OMelia]

I posted this in the finishing forum, but maybe some of you who do not go there can help. My wife brought home this dark brown min-wax polyurethane stain. Problem is, it's nowhere near dark brown on the poplar. It was sanded to 320. It says to use 2 apps, scuff with steel wool in between. But I can't imagine it getting much darker. Help please!

Mike

[Mike OMelia]

Hey Mike,

That is beautiful work. You are very talented!

No, not talented, just very patient and fortunate enough to have lots of good advisors. I really mean that. If one is willing to listen, ask questions, invest in the right tools and jigs, it's within the reach of anyone who has the desire to do it. I think desire and love of the thing is the most important thing!

Mike

[Mike OMelia]

Here they are, final form. I did not spend an inordinate amount of time on the finish. These are kids, and they will wreck it over time. Just glad to have a place for them to do their class work.

Again, thanks Danny.

Mike

[Danny Hamsley]

Mike,

The desks look great! Let me know how they work out functionally. You are now on a slippery woodworking slope. There may be no hope for your recovery now!!

[Matt Lau]

Nice work!