The Butler's Desk - Finale

[Brian Holcombe]

Good morning! Today's post completes the series on making The Butler's Desk, I hope you will check out the last post in the series;
https://brianholcombewoodworker.com/2016/09/20/adventures-in-making-hardware-part-ii/
I look forward to your comments.

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Brian

That is nice, clean work. You know I share your fondness for the uncluttered.

One question - why one stay (which I recognise you was one you made - excellent work!). Why not two stays for a balanced look and more strength?

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Andrew Hughes]

It's beautiful Brian,excellent work fitting all the hardware.
Thanks for sharing your work with us.

Aj

[Brian Holcombe]

Hi Brian

That is nice, clean work. You know I share your fondness for the uncluttered.

One question - why one stay (which I recognise you was one you made - excellent work!). Why not two stays for a balanced look and more strength?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks Derek! Two reasons for the single stay, one is that I don't want the user to feel that the desk can be used without the supporting drawer, and the second is that it will be a constant nuisance to using the sliding tray on the right hand side of the desk. If I were using it and had a second stay I'd likely knock the coffee cup out of my own hands daily.


It's beautiful Brian,excellent work fitting all the hardware.
Thanks for sharing your work with us.

Aj

Thank you! My pleasure.

[James Pallas]

Brian, that is a beautiful piece. I like the wood selection and the clarity of the finish. I guess the only thing I could criticize is those dovetails on the top of the case. Not the execution, that is great. They just seem to catch your eye at that edge with slick lines everywhere else.
Jim

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks Jim! Appreciate the critique, I had debated between these and full blind dovetails and ultimately decided to show them (the client voted for seeing them as well).

[James Pallas]

Brian You must do what the client asks. I just saw those and immediately pictured the piece without them. Full blinds are a bit tricky(for me). I just tried some recently. Will be doing more in the future. They are probably no hill for a high stepper like you tho:).
Jim

[Brian Holcombe]

I've done full blinds with success (the humidor build) but truth be told, while they're quite satisfying to build you almost forget the amount of effort that went into them when you see the finished piece.....for better or for worse, lol.

If you can setup a plane for them, they're certainly easier than if you have to clean the miter with a paring chisel.

[James Pallas]

Brian I sawed mine with a dovetail saw. Tried western and Japanese saws. About the same result. Cleaned up a bit with chisels. Worked OK. This was for a small box. Not sure how well it would work on a case side.
Jim

[Brian Holcombe]

Ahh, yeah for case sides a plane is needed, I have one on order but it may be a while before I recieve it.

[Bill McNiel]

Brian,
Once again an impressive design and beautiful execution. I have no problem with the dovetails and understand your explanation for the single stay but it does seem a little out of balance. Thank you for sharing - Bill

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks Bill! I appreciate your comments!

[Phil Mueller]

Very nice Brian. Enjoyed the entire build. Regarding the shown dovetails, I have to say, when so much of the skilled joinery work goes unseen, I think it's great to "show off" a bit on the outside.

[Oskar Sedell]

indeed very nice build, and great documentation!

This plane for cutting the mitered dovetails, how does it work. Cutting both mitered surfaces at once, or one at a time?

[Brian Holcombe]

Thank you both!

I do enjoy the dovetails, I plan to use them again on an upcoming pair of cabinets. For me the full blind dovetails are wonderful but I debate heavily with wether or not to use them in casework, they seemed most appropriate in my humidor.

Oskar, it planes one surface at a time.

Cheers
Brian

[Christopher Charles]

Hello Brian,

Many thanks for taking us on the trip. Personally, I enjoy the dovetails quite a lot, though also appreciate the clean lines of full blind as well. Hope the client is very happy with the outcome and looking forward to the next projects (did I see shoji screens the background?)

Best,
C

[Jerry Olexa]

Exceptional and beautiful results!! Good work, Brian..

[Brian Holcombe]

Hello Brian,

Many thanks for taking us on the trip. Personally, I enjoy the dovetails quite a lot, though also appreciate the clean lines of full blind as well. Hope the client is very happy with the outcome and looking forward to the next projects (did I see shoji screens the background?)

Best,
C

My pleasure! Glad that you enjoyed! He's certainly happy with it, which is the most important part, lol. Yeah, I built that pair in honduran mahogany and I have another set I'm finishing up in Alaskan yellow cedar.

They're being put aside for the moment to head forward on another (pair) of cabinets, one of which I want to enter in a local competition.


Exceptional and beautiful results!! Good work, Brian..

Thank you!!!

[Christopher Charles]

Very glad to hear the client was happy and meant to say that I think the mitered dovetails are a great mix of adding some visual interest while keeping the clean lines.

Will look forward to seeing more on the cabinets and screens as you're able.

Best,
C

[Brian Holcombe]

Thank you!

[Mike Allen1010]

Fantastic work Brian - I always learn a lot from your posts (although the Japanese terms go right over my head.


More importantly, I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share such clear photo's and helpful descriptions. I always look for your posts .

Best, Mike

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks Mike! My pleasure!