Oak Lapdesk

Tom, this is great.
I really like how the drawer opens up to the side.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Really nice work Tom, nice dovetails nice color. Jockmike

-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -

Nice….looks vintage.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

This project really appeals to me. Looks like it was fun to make.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I like lapdesks. I made one for my daughter, but not nearly as nice as yours. I whipped it up out of finger jointed pine. Yours is really nice!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Great joints!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Very nice.

Did you have inspiration for the lapdesk? I’ve got a good friend who is about the only person I know who still prefers longhand instead of sending e-mails and he’d be a great recipient of a lapdesk… But the right concept has eluded me so far.

It looks good. Most lap desk I’ve see have an sloping top to them, while yours is flat. Why flat?

-- Jesus is Lord!

oscorner,

Thank you for the compliment! I guess it is an optical illusion because it does have a slope on it. I modeled it after one that I found in an early edition of Fine Woodworking.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Thanks, Tom. I guess it is just the picture.

-- Jesus is Lord!

Man, that is nice.

Thanks!

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Looks like a lot of work went into this desk. Very nice dovetails. What is the finish, and is the oak reclaimed? It has a wondeful look!

-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/

Thanks Mark, for the nice comments.

Yes, a lot of work went into this. I built this several years ago when I had a larger, more complete workshop. I’m gradually getting my equipment back.

I resawed some oak to 3/8” and actually used “rubbed” joints for the top of this piece. I used liquid hide glue which “rubs” well. That means that I used NO clamps. You have to have good edges to do it, but, so far, after about 25 years, the joints are fine. “Rubbed” joints have merit, because you are not clamping any “tension” into the wood. I then made “bread board” ends to help against wood movement. I really am surprised that it has held up so well.

I applied several coats of varnish, and after it cured sufficiently, I rubbed it out with rottenstone and water. It has an antique look because of the “splattering” of black paint to produce that effect.

Thanks for looking!

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

cool idea very nice work

-- "when you think youre going to slow, slow down just a little bit more" .... Pop's