Custom Office Desk

Lee, another fantastic project! The construction comments are greatly appreciated. You are an amazing craftsman!

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

Hi Tom;

Thank you, but you are over estimating me. I’m just makin’ this stuff up!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Wow…You’re production methods really allow for amazing flexibility. Beautiful desk.

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

Hi Bob;

I agree, the construction technique allows for amazing design flexibility. It took me a while to figure out the best way to proceed, but this is how we would have built a curved wall, so I figured why not use it here.

Thank you for the nice compliment on the desk.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

I couldn’t agree more with Tom. This is high-style woodworking at its absolute best. I appreciate you taking the time to discuss the construction of the desk – worth every penny!

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

Hi Don;
It’s easy to talk about something you love doing. And your compliment is quite appreciated. Some of my wealthy clients have no clue what they’re getting, which is frustrating at times.

I see your in Melbourne. I have a friend from there visiting now. A place I would like to visit for sure.

Thanks again;

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Your balance of all components is amazing. The use of veneers sure gives a person some flexibility doesn’t it? Thanks for sharing.

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

Thank you Roger.

The most important aspect of design is proportion. Without that, the finest workmanship in the world won’t look quite right.

For this reason, I am a firm beliver in mock ups.

As to veneers, I love them. The finest woods go to the veneer factories, which is a great use of this resource. Getting one 3/4” thick piece, or thirty 1/40” thick pieces, out of the same board, is a no brainer.

Plus the possibilities with veneers, like a radial match consisting of thirty pieces, isn’t remotely possible with solid woods.

Thank you again for the kind words.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

I admire the approachability of the desk. Well designed and constructed!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Thank You Dennis.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

After I saw Lee’s desk, I QUITE. Anybody want to buy a bunch of tools cheap.

Bill

-- Make Dust

Beautiful design, you can tell you took all things into consideration while designing it. Love the desk, gorgeous. jockmike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

Thanks Mike,

I appreciate the comments very much.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Smack! That is a great piece of furniture!

I agree with your comments on the importance of design and proportion.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Thanks Todd,

Having had my share of flops, it was a lesson well learned.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Dollarbill,

Thanks for the commment! It’s appreciated.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Fantastic Lee, truly top notch work.

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Damian;

Thank you for the kind words!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Wow…beautiful!!! thanks for all the details…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...119 days to sanity...

Hi Matt;

Thank you for the compliment on my work. But look at the beautiful work on your lap!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Fasinating work Lee. Hey it happens to the best of us and you shirley are one of the best. I’m expecting something to happen to me….....the clock is tic’n…..

magnificent.
The overall appearance is stunning; the design is brilliant; the “just in case” strategies are ingenious.

I found it interesting that you lowered the cost of the piece because of quibble on cost and then he would have paid 5 times the price..

I also appreciated that you gave them the “trial” piece to make sure it worked for them.

Thank you for sharing!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Lee, The table looks great. The shape is unusual but works so well. I usually have mixed feelings about metal and wood furniture – some just doesn’t seem to work for me. However, this is an exception. The stainless steel is just enough to set the piece off.

By the way, I could sure do with woodie. Just too far away for the economics to work in my favour.

-- Bob

MsDebbieP,

Your comments can only inspire! I thank you.

The original design had two more drawers, one on each side that were somewhat pie shapped, and pivoted out from one end. So for me, lowering the price by $ 1,000.00, and not having to make those two drawers was a blessing, as far as added work was concerned.

His comment about being willing to pay much more for it, after the fact, to me was a nice compliment. I did okay with the price charged, and I place a very high value on being able to build something beautiful. I would have actually built it for less!

The money is nice, but the completed project is where I get my satisfaction from. I have given away many projects that I built just for the experience. Drives my wife crazy!

It is so very nice for me to share a part of myself with others, who are able to see beyond the price tag, and into the actual thought process and execution of the project. Most clients are unable to do that.

The members of this “family” are quite amazing!

Thank You again,

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi BobR;

I just checked out your profile. The life your living sounds like great fun.

I appreciate your kind words regarding the desk, and I must agree with the wood and metal combination not working well in many cases. Like mixing hot and cold, you end up with warm.

I have a friend visiting me from Melbourne at the moment. Maybe he could slip a woodie in his suitcase on the way home!

Enjoy.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

the swing-out drawers.. oh yah.. that would have been NICE :)
I wondered what the single drawer looked like, with all the curves, a plain drawer just didn’t seem right. Now, with this information, it fits perfectly :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Hi BlueStingrayBoots;

I thank you, but I have a long way to go to become one of the best!

The best generally know what they’re doing. I’m just making it up as I go!

If you look at my picture, you can see I’m confused. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.

Thanks,

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi MsDebbieP,

Yes, the swing out drawers really would have been nice, but imagine trying to dovetailing them!

I was kind of glad they got canned.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

This is a good example for me of how it is possible to separate aesthetics and creaftsmanship. I have to be honest and say that the piece is a little too busy for my personal tastes. HOWEVER, I absolutely drool over the quality and technique of the construction. Fantastic work!

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

Hi Charlie M,

I thank you for your comments, and also your honesty. I checked out your projects, and have to wonder what your drooling for!

Your work is quite beautiful!

Thanks again,
Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Lee how did you veneer the round turned lags?Please explain,Also thanks for all the input it is really a joy to read.Keep them coming,141 post in 4 days that must be a record.

-- Phil, Chattanooga,TN

Hi Phil,

Yes that’s a lot of posts for shy quiet type of guy!

Veneering round legs can be done in a couple different ways. One, if you have a vacuum system and bag, we glue the leg post about 3/4 to 7/8 ’s of the way around the leg. We cover the part with no glue with blue painter’s tape. This keeps the glue from sticking where we don’t want it to. Then we wrap the leg blank with the veneer, and put it into the bag. After the glue is dry, we lay the unglued part of the veneer down and cut the seam, and the stuck edge at the same time. Then we peel the stuck part where it was glued. Like making a wallpaper seam. Next we brush in glue, and lay the unglued veneer into it. We pull the seam tight with more blue tape, across the seam and put in back into the bag. The result is a perfect seam. The adhesive used in this method is urea resin glue. We use uni bond 800.

Another way to do it is to coat the veneer and the leg post with tite bond type II yellow glue. Let the glue dry completely, and iron on the veneer, with the iron set to medium high, much like edge banding tape. It is important not to stretch the veneer while doing this, as it could crack later. The seam is done the same way as the previous method. When finished tap the veneer all around and listen for hollow spots. If you hear any, reheat it, and force it down with a roller or eased edge of a board. Keep in mind any iron work must be done within 24 hours, or you’ll never get it to move.

One thing not to try is using contact cement. This expands the veneer, and after drying for a couple days, cracks will begin to appear, as the veneer shrinks due to the moisture evaporating.

Hope this helps.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Beautifull, Very nice, Very good craftsmenship!!!

-- Dennis Zongker

Lee, that is a perfect example of true craftmanship. Well done.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Thank you Dennis.

It’s appreciated.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Grumpy;

I thank you sir;

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

What an unusual combination of materials, figured Makore and stainless steel, but it WORKS! Very ingenious on the design and technical fabrication. You’re making classic heirlooms with a modern flair all your own. I am very impressed and admire your talent and patience. I would love to be able to do such craftsmanship in furniture. It’s nice to see that someone has the wealthy clientele who are willing to spend money on quality craftsmanship. Keep up the wonderful creativity. You can throw your rejects my way too!

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe