Library Desk Complete

[gary]

I finally completed this library desk for my son. It's constructed out of Red Oak for the frame/legs, maple for the drawer sides/back and poplar for the drawer guides. Exterior finish is General Finishes Seal-a-cel and Arm-r-seal. The drawers were finished with Zinnser Seal Coat (except for the drawer fronts).

The top measuers 52" x 24" and it sits around 33" high which was a confortable height for my son. The design is based on a similar David Marks project but I changed the leg design a lot. I wanted that big / solid look in the legs so I left them 1 3/4" square and did not taper them. The drawer construction is half blinds in the front and through dovetails in the rear - bottoms are hardboard.






I tried something different with the front to allow the grain to run through the entire front. I do have some short grain in the oak dividers but they're supported well by the poplar dividers behind them.

[gary]

The top has 2 coats of seal-a-cel and 7 coats of arm-r-seal (all wiped on). It took a lot to fill in the grain than I originally expected.






Here is a close up of the half blind dovetails.




And here is a picture of the insides to show how it was constructed. The top is mounted with figure eights to allow for movement.


I hope you like it.

[beetee3]

Now that's a fine looking table you've got there. I particularly like the attention to detail in taking the drawer fronts from the same board as the front apron. Great job on the finishing too.

[Roger on the Rock]

Excellent Job!!

[LCHIEN]

looks very nice - especially where you matched the grain across the front apron.

[JR]

[quote=gary
I hope you like it.[/quote]
I sure do! Beautiful work.

JR

[boblon]

Really looks great and I agree, the way you did the drawers/apron make it special.

BobL.

[LJR]

Gary, very nice work, nice table. Looks really good.

[Stormbringer]

Great Job Gary. I second , third , and fourth the slick grain matching job!

[mater]

Beautiful work. I also like the grain matching. It looks great.

[cabinetman]

Gary

Great looking desk. I too like the matched front and the little chamfer on the top - very professional looking. Also like the small gaps around the drawer fronts. To save yourself time and aggravation, try "grain filler" or also called "paste wood filler", will turn open pore woods into glass like finishes without all the topcoats usually used. Not talking about putty for holes. Comes in water base and oil base. Try this site:

http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/htdocs/Pastewoodglazes.htm

"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[jwaterdawg]

Mighty purty. Good job. I like the square legs better than taper. Great job!

[cbrown]

Very handsome, clean design and execution.

--------
Christopher

[Ken Massingale]

You flat nailed that one, Gary. Thats a beautuful piece that shows the attention to detail you put into it.
ken

[Brian G]

I agree. That's a great looking table.