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I came across a picture of an old small writing desk that I fell in love with. As I did not have much to go on with the dims I think it come out ok. It was my first time making box joints and tried my best to make them with the table saw and a set of dadio blades and a jig but for the life of me I could not get them to fit. So I made them with a hand saw and chisel. Now I under stand why some wood workers do not use power tools, it makes building something more special once it is done.

I made a lot of errors with this but it was just a prototype to see if I had the right dims for it. Next ones that I make will be perfect. Sorry for the photos but I like building stuff more than taking pictures of things. The stain is Rosewood mix with tung oil and 4 coats of poly.

I will keep it on my hall table. it was lots of fun to build but box joints are not as easy as they look to get them right.

The over all ruff dims are for the base 14" x 14" and from bottom of the base to the top of the ledge I went with 7 inches the wood was 3/4 inch thick. The 4 sides are 12 1/2 inches long which gave me a 3/4 edge all around which I rounded over, the lid is 10 5/8" x 13 1/2 "

sorry but there was no plans just went with what look right. Not sure why but the pictures of it came out looking orange but it is more of a dark red and light brown.

Update: I now have a better photo of my little writing desk.

Gallery

Comments

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133 Posts
Good work. It is a Shaker lap desk or writing desk. Good design from a hundred years ago, but it still works well as designed. From my POV hand cut box joints are much better. Keep on making sawdust.
 

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Chips, nice job. I like the general shape and form. Since you said this was a prototype. you might want to compare it to one I posted some time ago, just as a way to exchange design ideas. I use the one linked above every day to keep my calendar and meds. It would help others if you included dimensions in your post. It is difficult to tell sizes just using photos. Hope you enjoy using yours as much as I enjoy using mine. Keep boxing and keep posting.
 

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Hi Boxguy,

Thanks for your input and I've updated my notes to put the dims that I use. I went to your project page and I must say you have a lot of the top daily 3 projects on your site. I've left a little note on your posting of a laptop writing desk.

I like your serving tray.

I'm thinking of making a shaker tall clock right after what I'm making or trying to make now - which is a shaker corner hanging cupboard. Sorry for such a late reply to your remarks but I work a midnight shift and try to sleep during the day time.
 
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