| Project by GaryK | posted 352 days ago | 2015 views | 9 times favorited | 44 comments | ![]() |
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Well, I figured that since raising my daughter has kept me out of the shop of late, I thought I would give you guys a look at a project I have been working off and on for the past 4 years. It’s called the
“King of Desks”
It’s been a dream of mind to make my masterpiece. I decided that it would be my own version of a Wooten Patent Desk. They were made in the late 1800’s and even back then they cost so much that some millionaires would settle for a less decorated one. There’s one on ebay that has a starting bid of $46,000 for the lowest grade desk and a high grade desk for $250,000.
More reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooton_desk
The three pictures show it in my old California shop. It’s laying on my workbench (a solid core door) face up in the first picture.
The second shows one of the doors setting on the floor and the last is the desk without one door (the one sitting on the floor)
This one below shows the picture I am basing it on. I lost the file on on an old computer and for the life of me I can’t find it online anymore. So this picture is all I have.

This is close to what I am working for. They are not exactly what mine will look like but they should give you an idea.


-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.































44 comments so far
DAN
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6396 posts in 861 days
posted 352 days ago
Wow
This is going to be cool.
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
Christopher
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563 posts in 798 days
posted 352 days ago
Wow is right. I look forward to seeing it done!
-- "That Government is Best that Governs The Least."-Jefferson
Joe Lyddon
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470 posts in 930 days
posted 352 days ago
THAT is quite a project!
Are you planning on keeping it… or selling it?
Will be interesting to see how you progress…
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"
Chris Cunanan
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213 posts in 358 days
posted 352 days ago
Gary, I don’t know you at all but from what i’ve read in your posts over the past months (year?) I could tell you have the type of discipline/patience that everyone wishes they had, including me. Just the fact that you take on some of the projects you do is admirable, thank you for helping to remind me to not always think about what projects will make the most $ in the shortest amount of time and the importance of the passion over the dollar…although it does sound like you could make some decent bucks even if you make the lowest grade, one per year, what do you think? I think it’s very interesting the different high-dollar niches that people find/fulfill, I would like to hear more from other woodworkers ‘n their niches they’ve found. You always have plans to crazy projects no one has usually heard of, where do you get this stuff?
lightweightladyleftie
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407 posts in 590 days
posted 352 days ago
Gary,
This is a pretty intense piece. It reminds me of your bookcase entry. Can’t wait to see the desk (and the bookcase) finished.
-- "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
Napaman
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3409 posts in 955 days
posted 352 days ago
amazing Gary….always amazing…not sure if this tops the squirrel picnic table but this might get close…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Douglas Bordner
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3415 posts in 942 days
posted 352 days ago
Yep, if anyone can pull this off, you sir, are the one. Can’t wait to see whatever you share about this journey!
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Russel
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2030 posts in 817 days
posted 351 days ago
Whoa! That’s quite a project. Can we assume that you’ll be doing the carving as well?
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
Scott Bryan
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20040 posts in 700 days
posted 351 days ago
You were right on the money when you said that you were working on something pretty cool. This is certainly going to be a challenging project, but it is one that is tailored for you. With the details and inlays this is going to be an interesting project.
Keep us posted on your progress. This is going to be fun just watching the piece develop.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Tomcat1066
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776 posts in 674 days
posted 351 days ago
That is beautiful! I hope you get it finished before to long, because I can’t wait to see it finished! That’s just awesome!
-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!
cobbler
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242 posts in 668 days
posted 351 days ago
I can`t wait to see it complete.
Knowing your skills and attention to detail, it
will be superb.
Thanks for sharing your dream with us.
-- ''Carry on my wayward son''
Bob #2
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2987 posts in 899 days
posted 351 days ago
Beautiful replica Gary. As usua,l your skill level is outstanding.
I can’t wait to see it finished..
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
Dennis Zongker
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1005 posts in 470 days
posted 351 days ago
Sweet! Look forward to seeing it done.
-- Dennis Zongker
Sawdust2
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1168 posts in 965 days
posted 351 days ago
Let’s hope it keeps you busy through the next 2-3 contests.
Wait a minute! You’ve been doing this and the harpsichord and a dozen other projects plus trips to research the serving tray. Are you twins?
Lee
As usual another terrific post
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
CharlieM1958
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7459 posts in 1096 days
posted 351 days ago
Douglas took the words right out of my mouth. Not many people have the skill and the patience to pull this off, but I know YOU do.
Now we’ll all be bugging you for progress reports. Maybe that’s why you posted it…. you wanted an extra push from your old LJ buddies? <g>
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Sac
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236 posts in 511 days
posted 351 days ago
Your work is amazing. I am curious on how you did the side panels.
-- Jerry, Set in the foothills of the Smokey's
Thos. Angle
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4015 posts in 840 days
posted 351 days ago
Everybody took the words out of my mouth. Hurry up and get this done so we can admire it like everything else you do. It WILL be fantastic!!!
-- Thos. Angle
Jimthecarver
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421 posts in 663 days
posted 351 days ago
So very beautiful Gary! Love to see your work, WOW!....Someday I wanna grow up and be as good as you at wood working..lol
Will you be adding the carvings as well?
-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.
JonJ
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105 posts in 718 days
posted 351 days ago
Well, It’s no corncob backscratcher… but I guess it’s pretty cool :)
That is AWESOME! Ditto to everything above, and to parphrase Chris C. I love the fact that the projects you pick are never typical!
-- Jon
PetVet
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232 posts in 365 days
posted 351 days ago
I am sure there are therapy groups for people with your kind of problem Gary. Oh wait, that’s what LJ is… :)
Really cool project.
-- Rich in Richmond
stanley2
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274 posts in 673 days
posted 351 days ago
Gary – you do like a challenge. Will you be doing the carved pediment and inlaid roll top Wooten used in his high-end models? It will be fun watching your progress – best wishes
-- Phil in British Columbia
MsDebbieP
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14089 posts in 1038 days
posted 351 days ago
yah but is it going to feature a “knot” or have a secret compartment??!!! yah.. now THAT’s tricky! :)
Jaw-dropping, eye-popping amazing! I, too, look forward the progress and the end result.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Karson
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25271 posts in 1278 days
posted 351 days ago
Gary: I know how children are to take care of. So I suggest that you take them into the shop and let them help you on the design and construction of the desk. I know it will make it more memorable for you but might not have the same resale value.
A fabulous project and something to stretch your design and creative abilities.
Looking forward to the progress photos.
Gary this one looks close to your picture.
A poster for sale

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
dennis mitchell
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3785 posts in 1192 days
posted 351 days ago
Wow…it goes on my to do list.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
grained
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34 posts in 359 days
posted 351 days ago
This is going on my eventual to-do list also. Wow. Its perfect for the packrat collector in me.
-- ~too many hobbies, not enough free time.
Karson
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25271 posts in 1278 days
posted 351 days ago
Dennis are you going to make it rustic.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Don Newton
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521 posts in 496 days
posted 351 days ago
Holy crap….....I mean…....Holy crap!!!!! Talk about ambitious. Good luck and I expect to see the write-up in Fine Woodworking.
-- Don, Pittsburgh
GMman
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1172 posts in 575 days
posted 351 days ago
This tops all very very nice work makes my work look cheap….by seeing some of your work it doesn’t surprise at the level of work you can do
-- <<<<<< I will not stop until I get it right. >>>>>>--
CessnaPilotBarry
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1224 posts in 580 days
posted 351 days ago
We’ll be watching!
No pressure, though… <g>
-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...
DAN
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6396 posts in 861 days
posted 351 days ago
what did you do on this today Gary ? got any progress photos ? >GRIN<
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
Richforever
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335 posts in 598 days
posted 351 days ago
You’re going to describe how to do some of the parts of this, right? Like the bending and carving and how strong the hinges have to be, etc.. This raises expectations to a new level. Thanks!
-- Rich, Seattle, WA
GaryK
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9496 posts in 866 days
posted 351 days ago
Thanks for all the comments. Now for some of your questions.
Russel, Stanley2 – Yes I am going to try the carvings. I figure if I screw them up I don’t have to install them.
Sac – The side panels are just you standard panel and frame construction for the for the end of the doors that close against each other. For the outside panels I made a “T” shaped molding and glued it to the frame and used the rabbet created to hold the panels. The hardest part was the intersections of the curved and straight moldings. Especially on the outside curve on the tops of the doors.
Karson – They all kind of look the same but there are two styles. The main difference is the feet. Most all of them have the feet exposed like the one you pictured. Mine will have the feet covered like this one:
.
.
Compared to this one that are exposed:
.
.
Dan – Yea, right! :-)
Richforever – The curved sections were glue laminations. Then I had to figure out how to route them. I did them 3 years ago so I don’t really remember. As for the hinges I found a bunch of 4” ball bearings ones on ebay for about $3.00 a pair. I bought about 10 pairs. That’s one of the best deals I ever got on ebay. They can go for about $20+ each. Three on each door should do the trick. I think they are rated for a 200+ pound door.
Don’t look for much progress any time soon. At most I get about an hour a day in the shop.
Scott Bryan – This is not the special thing I mentioned before. I am also working on that also.
So much to do and so little time.
I still have to figure some secret compartment and knot thing! :-)
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
jockmike2
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7222 posts in 1124 days
posted 350 days ago
Nice job Gary, exceptional, as ususual.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Dick, & Barb Cain
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6989 posts in 1177 days
posted 350 days ago
Some terrific craftsmanship as usual Gary.
I hope we don’t have to wait 4 more years for its completion.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Lee A. Jesberger
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3709 posts in 857 days
posted 348 days ago
Hi Gary;
Very ambitious project. It’s so rare to be able to build something just for kicks.
I imagine this project will keep kicking for quite some time!
Exceptional work, as always.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Karson
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25271 posts in 1278 days
posted 348 days ago
Gary I think I’d be in favor of the enclosed legs also.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
pommy
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892 posts in 569 days
posted 348 days ago
Hi Gary
As usual i’m in awe if i ever get anywhere close to what you do i would class myself as a master craftsman as you truly are
-- cut it saw it scrap it
Greg3G
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770 posts in 963 days
posted 348 days ago
A truly awesome project. I would love to build something like that but I just don’t have the skills nor the space to do something this grand. I am confident that the end result will be a work of art. I look forward to the day you post the finished project.
Have you thought about what finish you are going to use on it yet?
-- Greg - Charles Town, WV
scottb
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3391 posts in 1205 days
posted 327 days ago
Fantastic project, I know you’re the jock who can pull this off. I should have started years ago if I was going to to try something half as ambitious in my lifetime.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Dorje
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1768 posts in 875 days
posted 327 days ago
Holy cow.
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
Texasgaloot
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467 posts in 578 days
posted 306 days ago
I’m feeling a lot more humble than I want to right now…
-- There's no tool like an old tool...
motthunter
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2079 posts in 677 days
posted 291 days ago
you take on the coolest projects. this is great
-- making sawdust....
TonyWard
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284 posts in 1206 days
posted 291 days ago
Gary
Good to see your skills and ambition are flourishing ~ you are an inspiration!
Tony Ward
-- Bandsaw Box Plans
grizzman
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454 posts in 181 days
posted 105 days ago
gary i have never seen such a more beautiful piece..that will take every woodworking skill in the book…and i imagine your the one who can take this on….i hope im lucky enough to see your’s when its finished….it would certainly be the grand master of projects…..cant wait to see it…grizzman
-- The Grizzone