One project down...

[Keith Beck]

a hundred or so to go!

My daughter sent me a link to a Pottery Barn desk that she wanted me to build:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/PaulynsDesk.jpg

She just wanted the desk and not the part that sits on top, so overall, nothing real complicated. I'd never built a desk before and I'm usually a plans kinda of guy, so I did some research and pored over similar plans beforehand.

Here's the frame. As you can see, I went old school with wooden drawer runners:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC03224-1.jpg

Here's one of the drawers:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC03230.jpg

And, finally, the finished project:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC03243.jpg

It's not an exact replica, but it's fairly close I 'spose. It's made entirely out of Poplar. The outer frame is done with mortise and tenon and the internal bracing and drawer runners are done with the Kreg jig. The legs are tapered on two sides. The finish is General Finishes' Milk Paint, which isn't real milk paint as I've been told. I intended to spray a protective coat of USL or something, but ran out of time since I'm delivering it this weekend. I'll see how it holds up with just the paint and spray it later if the paint alone doesn't cut it.

Of course, as with most of my projects, this one had it's share of mistakes. Most were just being retarded and cutting stuff too short (even after measuring twice!) but one was a real pain in the butt since it resulted in having to rebuild a leg. Can you tell what I did wrong?

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC03221.jpg

:mad:

Keith

[Jim Becker]

Very nice desk! And yes, a boo-boo like that leg is a rite of passage, I think...but it's not cut wrong...it was marked wrong for cutting! ;) (Been there....done that...)

[Ben Cadotte]

I would bet money your desk is built way better than the PB one.

A little mortising practice doesn't hurt anyone either. :D

[Dave Verstraete]

Great job on the desk! She'll keep that one for a long time.

[Richard M. Wolfe]

Like it! Nice clean lines and about as true to the pattern as can be.

You were talking about going over it with something for a protective top coat. Use a water base finish. Anything oil base will yellow over time and with the milk paint you don't want that.

[gary Zimmel]

Nice job on the desk! Your daughter will be proud.

[J. Z. Guest]

Look great Keith. Can you turn that leg into a wiffle bat or something? Hehehe.

[Keith Beck]

Thanks for the kinds words everyone! It was a learning experience and a project that'll hopefully propel me on to being a better woodworker.

The best thing is I didn't have to spend $350 for the PB desk! http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowsmile.gif The Poplar cost me about $96 (with some left over) and the knobs were around $20 or so (with shipping).

Guess I'll start on the next project today. This'll be my most ambitious to date; a TV console similar to this:


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/craftsmantvconsole-woodsmith.jpg

but made out of QSWO with Mission-style features found in this one:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/craftsmantvconsole.jpg

Wish me luck!

Keith

[Jim Becker]

The next project looks like a winner, Keith. Think it through and you'll likely find the construction to be relatively easy to handle!