| Project by Chelios | posted 1245 days ago | 3368 views | 6 times favorited | 9 comments |  |
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My 2 yr old daughter loves to draw and paint and scribble everywhere, especially my bedroom walls so I decided to make her a small desk for her to use instead. I thought this desk would be around for a while and so I designed it where you can adjust for height as she grows. Hope this lasts her through college.
The height adjustment mechanism is on a runner made of the same wood.
I used some scrap 3/4 maple boards that had a lot of bow and figure. I tried different ways of smoothing the top for finishing. I used hand plane, low angle block plane, smoothing plane, 180, 320, and 400 grit sandpaper and card scrapers but still wasn’t satisfied with the results.
I need to get a better method for this step in particular. Any suggestions to make this easier with the figured woods?
thanks
ps. I attached the top with the 8’s desktop fasteners and wasn’t really impressed with them. I gues it is ok for now and if I need to re-attach the top later I can always go back and use another method
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9 comments so far
WistysWoodWorkingWonders
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11516 posts in 1354 days
#1 posted 1244 days ago
Hi, nice table design. Did you make the top adjustable so it can be used like a drafting table?
-- New Project = New Tool... it's just the way it is, don't fight it... :)
Chelios
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567 posts in 1263 days
#2 posted 1244 days ago
Hey Thanks, I didn’t really. I thought about it but didn’t come up with a good design choice to get it right. I figured I could replace the two top supports when I can come up with a good idea. Have you seen any good approach?
Chelios
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567 posts in 1263 days
#3 posted 1242 days ago
Thanks PrairieFire…that is a very true statement..I try however to leave ways for change as I am really new at this and I am experimenting and learning new things. I think I am lacking in the very basic skills as you can see. How can one finish figured wood without so much sanding???
a1Jim
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89049 posts in 1774 days
#4 posted 1242 days ago
Good idea well done
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Jim Reeves
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189 posts in 1220 days
#5 posted 1213 days ago
I sure your daughter loves it because her Daddy made it and in the end that is all that matters is your angel.
-- jim
ergodesktop
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1 post in 1109 days
#6 posted 1109 days ago
I love the all wood desk, vert nice job !!! I started out 3 years ago trying to build a portable unit to sit on my desk so I could sit or stand at my computer. I started with 1/2 thick plywood, pvc plumbing pipes and a gas nitrogen spring. This idea failed more than 20 times before I finally come up with a design that worked. We now sell these sit to stand adjustable height desk units internationally and it all started with $20.00 worth of lumber and plumbing peices. You can see photos of the current desk unit at www.ergodesktop.com
PS….My 2 year old grand daughter loves to sit on the units and ride up and down !!!!
Chelios
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567 posts in 1263 days
#7 posted 1108 days ago
Hey ergodesktop
I went on your site. I like your designs, you certainly engineered them nicely. Welcome to LJs! You will see that there are a bunch of great people and projects on this site.
all the best and thanks for looking
Tugboater78
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402 posts in 389 days
#8 posted 387 days ago
I like this. May take yer general idea and change it. My now 16 yr old niece went with me, this past holiday season, into a Woodcraft store. She seen a piece of cocobola, i think, and asked if i could make her a tilt desk with it that she could take to college with her. The loving uncle i am said i would try. Ill update, hope i can get it done in 2 years!
-- Justin - the tugboat woodworker - https://www.facebook.com/justinb78
Chelios
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567 posts in 1263 days
#9 posted 384 days ago
Sure Justin, good luck with the build. Looking forward to your finished desk. All the best
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