| Project by drewnahant | posted 1100 days ago | 2338 views | 6 times favorited | 24 comments |  |
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this is actually an older project, completed feb 2008, but I just realized that I had all these photos and decided to post.
let me just say, the only wood I bought for this project was one sheet of 5/8 birch for the top, the rest is scraps, which is why there are a couple extra seems covered with edge banding.
so, I started with sketchup.
I decided that I wanted more desk space, but I didnt want to take up all of the floor space, so I designed it with a rolling cabinet and drop leaf section of the desk.
I wanted to try bending and laminating 1/4” birch plywood, I thought it would be fun. so I just kindof tried it without any real research. I steamed the plywood with a wet towel and an iron. It was a lot more effort than a steam box, but since i didnt have any real plans of doing this again, I didnt want to build a steam box just for this. Here I am pre-bending the panels.
once the panels were roughly bent, I covered them in glue, bent them around the interior frame, and since I dont have a vacuum press, I clamped them with a bunch of ratchet straps. I cut the drawer fronts, and the shelf openings out of the solid curve after lamination. this way the drawer fronts actually fit the curve of the face, and the grain fits in. It was a little tricky laying out the cuts, and then actually cutting it with a fine handsaw.
the top is pretty simple, just some 5/8 birch plywood, with a maple band bent around the edge. the final step was to accent edges, drawers, etc. with walnut edge banding, sand and finish with gloss clear polyurethane.
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24 comments so far
AugieCoe
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44 posts in 1153 days
#1 posted 1100 days ago
That’s pretty cool!
-- There is a lesson in every project. Play safe!
DLCW
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512 posts in 1117 days
#2 posted 1099 days ago
Very nice job. Bent form lamination and freeform opens up the world of possibilities in woodworking.
-- Don, Diamond Lake Custom Woodworks - http://www.dlwoodworks.com - "If you make something idiot proof, all they do is make a better idiot"
TopamaxSurvivor
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14098 posts in 2138 days
#3 posted 1099 days ago
Nice job. It really takes another WW to appreciate that.
-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence
Kindlingmaker
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2653 posts in 1989 days
#4 posted 1099 days ago
The outcome of your first attempt appears as though you have been doing it for decades! Great job and the design is really awesome!
-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings
Karson
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34755 posts in 2863 days
#5 posted 1099 days ago
A great job. making your own bending ply.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Ryan Bruzan
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148 posts in 1358 days
#6 posted 1099 days ago
That is AWESOME! Now I’m gonna have to try it.
-- No matter how many factors go into thinking about a project, there is always one important new discovery to be made.
steliart
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1807 posts in 1151 days
#7 posted 1099 days ago
excellent project
-- Stelios L.A. Stavrinides: - I am not so rich to buy cheap tools, but... necessity is the mother of inventions - http://www.steliart.com --
Mark Shymanski
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4485 posts in 2175 days
#8 posted 1099 days ago
AN inspiring project! Thanks for the post and the great idea.
-- "Checking for square? what madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2
David Grimes
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2071 posts in 1102 days
#9 posted 1099 days ago
Very nice. Looks professional. Hell, I’d have it. I like projects that don’t look home made, but are. Impressive.
-- If you're going to stir the pot, think BIG spoon or SMALL boat paddle. David Grimes, Georgia
RPKnikker
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64 posts in 1106 days
#10 posted 1099 days ago
Very nice!!! I like the 2e 3D picture! Works well!!!
Good luck to make your next project!
-- Register at my website if you're interested in my projects... It's FREE! www.rpknikker.com
489tad
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1841 posts in 1474 days
#11 posted 1099 days ago
An iron and a towel. Thats cool.
-- Dan, Naperville IL, I.G.N.
4thumbs
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#12 posted 1099 days ago
Great job! Bent laminations are tedious, but sure do open up design options like this. Well done!
-- 4thumbs in MO
nobuckle
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1120 posts in 1224 days
#13 posted 1099 days ago
Okay, first let me say, WOW! That is a really nice desk. You have inspired me to take a second look at material that would normally be pitched in the trash. Absolutely amazing.
-- Doug - Make an effort to live by the slogan "We try harder"
Ken90712
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14342 posts in 1651 days
#14 posted 1099 days ago
Great work, looks great all the way around.
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
Jason
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653 posts in 1971 days
#15 posted 1099 days ago
Turned out well.
-- Jason - Colorado Springs
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