A White Oak Desk

[Dodgy Loner]

John- thank you. This has been an interesting build. If I had built one of these carcases with drawers and a top, it would have been the most complicated project I had ever attempted. But I had to build two of them, mirror images, and now I have to make a panel that connects them and can be disassembled, AND a drawer in the middle that will allow disassembly, AND then connect it all with a 34" wide top. It has been mind-boggling at times and so easy to get parts mixed up and turned backwards. So far I have only made one irreversible mistake, and I ain't saying where :D

James, yes, the tenons are glued as well as pegged. Belt and suspenders. I like to think I am building it to last 500 years.

[Ljohnsaw]

DL,

I have and old and very heavy school teacher type desk.  I take it apart to move it (done it about 5 times in 25 years).  It is all walnut - quite pretty after I stripped the grey paint the Navy put on it  :D

If you are looking for ideas on how to attach the parts...

The top is about 1.5" thick ply with veneer.  The modesty panel is rabbited to the carcases and the top is held on to the drawer carcases with plates that sort of look like figure 8's.  A Forestner bit was used to drill holes in the bottom of the desktop for clearance.  They are screwed into the top of the carcases in one hole and then into the desktop from below through the other hole.  Works really well.  The center drawer slides are permanently attached to the side of the carcases.  The bottom stile for the drawer is mortised and then sort of toenail screwed into the carcases.  With enough people, you can lift the desk by the top - held on plenty strong.

The only thing I would change is to not use wood screws - I would opt for those brass inserts and machine screws.

[Magicman]

I just keep watching and smiling DL.  Your craftsmanship is "crafty".   ;D

[SwampDonkey]

Yes, simply amazing wood and work into it. 

Must be like some fellas that get lots done when the wife and kids go visit grandma. ;)

[Dodgy Loner]

lj- the method you have described is almost exactly what I have envisioned. Thanks for the summary!

[Ljohnsaw]

Good.  Real simple and really strong.  The plates mine has are stamped metal, I suppose for strength, but I think just a piece of 3/16" band iron would work quite well.  Maybe get 21incher to plasma cut you some  8)  Not sure where you could find the real thing - REAL hardware stores are not too common anymore!

[hardtailjohn]

DL,

The only thing I would change is to not use wood screws - I would opt for those brass inserts and machine screws.

The one variance on that which you might consider is epoxy. I use West System Epoxy and drill a larger hole (3x the fastener diameter) and fill with epoxy, let it cure, then drill and tap for a machine screw. It will be even stronger than the brass insert.
John

[Dodgy Loner]

I will just be using wood screws. I expect the desk to be assembled in place and to stay there for many years. If anything needs revision in the future, I will take care of it then.

[Bill Gaiche]

Your talent is great. Thanks for sharing  a really nice build. bg

[SawyerBrown]

DL, there are "carpenters" (like me), and then there are craftsmen.  You definitely fit in the latter category.  Really really nice work.

A friend of mine is also in the latter category -- builds Maloof-style furniture, primarily rocking chairs.  He's even perfected the Maloof joint.  Wish I had some pictures ...  He also recently finished a solid walnut casket for his father.  Just the most beautiful piece I've ever seen.  As you can imagine, he was hesitant to show it to me ... kind of morose in a way, even though his father is now 93 ....  I agree with others he has talked to, what a great and beautiful gift to honor his dad. 

Thanks for sharing your project with us!