Project by Charles Maxwell | posted 02-06-2008 04:00 AM | 4588 views | 7 times favorited | 18 comments | ![]() |
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As a navy guy, I moved my family to a new duty station about every 2-1/2 years. I did that for 25 years! Before leaving for the next duty station, my wife and I purchased one object (art, furniture, etc.) that we would embody our memories of our time in that host city/country. While assigned to London, UK., we found a chair maker (Stewart Linford) in High Wycomb (about 25 miles due west of London) that made beautiful reproductions. He had a series of Nelson Chairs (of Admiral Nelson fame) that were constructed with wood salvaged from Nelson’s flag ship, HMS VICTORY. You naval history buffs may recall HMS VICTORY in the Battle of Trafalgar where Nelson’s fleet defeated the combined efforts of the Spanish and the French fleets. We purchased one of the chairs (at great expense) but, could not afford the companion desk. So, like most of you, I decided to build the desk which is what you see here. The chair in the photo is the Nelson Chair from Stewart Linford’s shop. Sorry, I can’t take credit for that fine work! The desk stain is a bit lighter than I had hoped for. Someday I’ll restain it to a darker color. The desk is solid white oak and all joints are pinned with 1/4” oak dowel.
-- Max the "night janitor" at www.hardwoodclocks.com
18 comments so far
Dan'um Style
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#1 posted 02-06-2008 04:26 AM
nice project posting. I love the design.
-- keeping myself entertained ... Humor and fun lubricate the brain
GaryK
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#2 posted 02-06-2008 04:30 AM
I wonder how close to the place where Nelson was shot was the wood was taked from or the spot
below decks where he died.
I have a small piece of the USS Constitution taken during a re-fit.
Very nice desk!
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
Gustav
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#3 posted 02-06-2008 04:36 AM
Nice story and a nice desk. I like the finish, looks nice but I see your dilemma with matching it to the chair.
-- I can build us one.
Damian Penney
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#4 posted 02-06-2008 04:49 AM
That’s a great piece, has a real warm and cozy look to it but elegant at the same time. Nicely executed.
-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso
DocK16
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#5 posted 02-06-2008 05:04 AM
Very nice job. I am interested in the plans, did you design this yourself from pictures or were you able to find plans somewhere?
-- Common sense is so rare anymore when you do see it, it looks like pure genius.
CharlieM1958
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#6 posted 02-06-2008 05:22 AM
Great desk!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Dorje
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#7 posted 02-06-2008 07:38 AM
Wonderful work – great choice.
Did you do the turnings too?
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
rikkor
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#8 posted 02-06-2008 11:48 AM
Very nice, and the history that goes with it really enhances the project.
shaun
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#9 posted 02-06-2008 01:32 PM
A box with maple from Ike’s HQ, a chair built from the HMS Victory, what other cool stuff have you got stashed away?
-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!
Lee A. Jesberger
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#10 posted 02-06-2008 02:07 PM
That’s some fine work Charles,
Really great job.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Thos. Angle
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#11 posted 02-06-2008 04:25 PM
Great work, Charles. Great story about the chair.
A navy man with a piece of The Victory. Excellent!
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
Richard Williams
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#12 posted 02-06-2008 10:05 PM
Well now looks like to me that you went from Commander to Admiral in just one sitting. Outrageously beautiful. Great compliment to the chair is your hand built table replica. Handy guy you are Skipper. Great job. Thanks for sharing this with us.
-- Rich, Nevada,
Charles Maxwell
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#13 posted 02-07-2008 02:30 AM
DocK16: I don’t have plans, rarely do. I just estimate from photos then embellish!
Shaun: Funny you should ask…I made 5 living room tables with Teak wood that I acquired from USS WISCONSIN (BB 64) while I was a LT and teaching navigation at NROTC, University of Wisconsin – Madison. I’ll make point of posting those tables soon.
All: Thanks for your too kind comments. Max
-- Max the "night janitor" at www.hardwoodclocks.com
Scott Bryan
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#14 posted 02-07-2008 04:39 AM
That is a very nice desk.
Thanks for sharing.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
cajunpen
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#15 posted 02-07-2008 11:00 AM
Great story and even better desk. Well done.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
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