My year plus desk build

[ffmtb1]

Since the beginning of October 2017 I have been working off and on on an executive style  L shaped desk for myself.  The top is roughly 3’ x 6’ and started life as a maple live edge slab.  I added a walnut piece down the middle to get the width I wanted. Additionally i added an inlay of cherry and zebra wood.
The base is out of several different woods and joinery techniques I learned and tried.  Some of the wood was as local as some thin red oak pieces that came down during the October storm a few years back.
I am finalizing the L portion now.

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[joe98tj]

Thats awesome!

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[A new level]

Very nice. I see the dovetails, what other joinery did you use?

 

[YJScrounge]

very nice

 

[gorilla_skater]

That's awesome Mark. I LOVE the inlays, they remind me of some beautiful surfboards and skateboards I've seen.

 

[JohnyPro]

That’s gorgeous! Bravo!

 

[JeepinMaxx]

Great craftmanship!  Looks good

 

[ffmtb1]

Very nice. I see the dovetails, what other joinery did you use?

Thank you
Mortise and tenon, through wedged mortise and tenon, half blind dovetails on drawers, bridle joint, tapered sliding dovetails, sliding dovetails


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[A new level]

Very nice. I see the dovetails, what other joinery did you use?

Thank you
Mortise and tenon, through wedged mortise and tenon, half blind dovetails on drawers, bridle joint, tapered sliding dovetails, sliding dovetails


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That’s awesome. Proper joinery is a dying art

 

[ffmtb1]

Here are a few pictures of how the “L” part of the desk joins with the main desk. Four dowels locate the slab top to the “L” base. 

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[massxj]

Any hidden draw bolts to back up the dowels

 

[ffmtb1]

Any hidden draw bolts to back up the dowels

No hidden draw bolts with the dowels
The dowels go into the base about 1/2” into ovalized holes to allow for wood movement.  They are just glued to slab. The weight of the slabs keep them in place.  If the desk needs to be moved it cannot be lifted from the top though. 
I designed the main base to come apart in three separate pieces.  This is due to weight and the width of the doorways out of our basement.


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[ffmtb1]

I made a little more progress on my desk build.  After completing the 6 drawers and test fitting them I am pleased with the manner in which they work and disappear.  The frame slides out and the drawers slide out perpendicular.  When the frame of drawers is slid back in they appear as the other interior panels of the base.

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[A new level]

Very nice

 

[massxj]

if this kind of work still paid well, I would still be a cabinet maker

 

[HankD]

if this kind of work still paid well, I would still be a cabinet maker

Installing mostly cabs from China and Canada, number one question these days in CT, how cheap can you do it cause we'er going to sell!

 

[JeepinMaxx]

if this kind of work still paid well, I would still be a cabinet maker

I miss those days back when I was a finish carpenter in the late 80's ...  Got back into cabinet building for my house in the late 1990's  I wish I had the time now to remodel the kitchen now

One of my 1st projects at the house was an oak vanity

(pic taken today - it's still holding up!)

Later was cabinets in the famous safest in CT laundry room!

I have all the tools, but not the time or space these days

Mark - thank you for the updates, you are starting to inspire me to get back in my barn and build things!

 

[A new level]

if this kind of work still paid well, I would still be a cabinet maker

Right!

 

[ffmtb1]

Very nice Frank! 
Yes that's a VERY safe laundry room!  I've seen the residents of those cabinets.


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[A new level]

That laundry room is better armed than some small countries hahahahaha