William & Mary desk

Great job on an amazing desk! I’m sure you made your friend proud.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Chuck, what a great piece! You did an excellent job, it is truly beautiful.

Thanks for posting it … and the great story that makes it so special.

-- Martin, Kansas

Awesome job. The attention to detail is impeccable. It would be hard to discern between this and an original. Thank you for sharing.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

Chuck,

This is simply a stunning piece. I am sure your friend was proud of the effort that you put into this reproduction of his original.

Thanks for the post and the story behind it.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Chuck,

As always your posting is a true work of art, yet the story behind this desk is as moving the desk itself. Congratulations.

Mike

Very, very nice. It is always interesting to hear the story behind a piece and that is a beautiful desk. Thanks for sharing it

-- Glenn, New Mexico

Exquisite detail and design. You did a beautiful job on this piece as always. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

Thanks everyone for the compliments. My friend was indeed pleased with my reproduction of his desk. Getting his stamp of approval on my copy was far more difficult than actually making the piece. He started collecting period furniture right after WWII. He was a serious student of the period and had tremendous recall of even the smallest details of pieces. He was a good friend who is gone just under two months now. My hope is that one day when I’m closing in on 90 years old, I’ll have been a friend and mentor to some LJ somewhere like Joe was to me.

To start myself on that path, check out my blog, I’ve just today started another series of posts regarding furniture design and connoiseurship. It’s not limited to “period” furniture. In the coming months I’ll be exploring design from many different angles. Between that and my ongoing series of project posts, hopefully someone will be inspired to greater heights.

-- Chuck Bender, period furniture maker, www.acanthus.com

That is a very fine job you are a very good patient woodworker, I love your work thanks for posting

-- - - Tools are nice to have but you need someone to work them - -

Chuck,

I am inspired.

As usual, a great job!

Charlie M.

-- God makes the wood beautiful--I simply rearrange it to make it more useful, hopefully.

Chuck – the quality of your work is always high – the story behind this piece is what’s special for me.

-- Phil in British Columbia

Amazing reproduction. I’d swear those were photos of an original.

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

The craftsmanship of days gone by has always inspired me. A piece of work like that is to be treasured, but you add the personal story and it is ever more inspiring! Thanks

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Thanks again to everyone for the kind words. CharlieM, I’ll try to toss up a picture of the period desk when I have a chance to dig it out. You can tell me then if you still think mine looks like the original.

I’m really glad everyone likes the story behind the desk. Most of the pieces I make end up with their own tales. I’ll make sure I post the better ones as I add projects. Thanks again for checking out the piece.

-- Chuck Bender, period furniture maker, www.acanthus.com

Hi Chuck,

OK had I seen this before my project post I would have never posted my project after this! This and all your pieces are simply AWESOME. The story behind the piece is as special as the work itself. Seeing craftmanship like this motivates me to become a better woodworker…very inspiring.

-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com

That is truely awsome work! I’m curious if the hidden compartment needs a “trigger” to function, or just slides without any action taking place. Hidden compartments have always fascinated me.

-- North Texas

Tom, no trigger needed for this compartment. It’s hard to see in the photo but the area of the writing surface immediately in front of the two center interior drawers is surrounded by a double arch molding. You would think the molding was there to merely frame out the figured wood inset of the writing surface but it actually covers the edge of the joint that allows the crotch panel to slide back under the drawers. This gives access to the well below (typically used for writing impliments, ink and paper so you didn’t have to close the lid of the desk to get at the drawers below). There are two other hidden compartments inside the well but they’re hard enough to find without having the added pleasure of finding a locking mechanism.

-- Chuck Bender, period furniture maker, www.acanthus.com

Period furniture is incredible, the craftsmanship for detail beautiful.
Nice Job Chuck!!
Do ever watch Tommie McDonald’s pod cast “T-Chisel”?

He is also into the Period Furniture, he is a grad of the North Bennet Street School. If I was a little younger I would like to go there when I’m finished where I am going now. Right now two years here and another two there thats a lot.

-- Ed Collinge- Edmonds, WA.

EdC, Grandma Moses was in her 80’s when she started painting. Age is never an excuse for not persuing your dreams.

I’m pretty new to this aspect of woodworking. I’ve been pretty immersed in the business of making and studying the period pieces I build for people. Sure I’ve trained apprentices but my involvement with those who want to do this as an avocation is extremely limited. So, to answer your question, I really don’t know who Tommie McDonald is but I certainly will seek him out. I’ve known many NBSS grads. Even had a few as apprentices. I’d be interested to see what he’s doing and how he’s doing it. Thanks for the tip.

Bfd, I was thinking the same thing about that zebra wood table.

-- Chuck Bender, period furniture maker, www.acanthus.com

Gorgeous, again another masterpiece. mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

Mike,

As always, you’re too kind. Thanks.

-- Chuck Bender, period furniture maker, www.acanthus.com

Hi Chuck;

I am surprised and sorry I haven’t noticed your posts before.

This piece is fantastic, and your skills are obviously up to the task of achieving.

No small feat. I’m glad you had the honor of knowing your friend, and a collector of period furniture.

I too had a friend who was very much into period furniture, as am I, who until his death was a mentor and teacher to me, in addition to being a designer. I’ve mentioned him often on this site since much of what I know was influenced by him. As a General Contractor I was honored to work with him on many projects for close to twenty years.

We had many of the long conversations you mentioned enjoying so much. Your desire to have similar conversations when you reach that age is also mutual. I know my friend enjoyed our talks as much as I did.

Again, your work is inspiring. Now I’m off to check out your website.

Lee

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

Just for those not familiar with “T-Chisel”-

Tommie McDonald’s pod show is fantastic to watch because he is out of his mind. He was a carpenter on the “Big Dig” in Boston till he got hurt and he’s still a salty Southie. A gifted furniture maker without question and just watch this episode as he cuts the sides of his commissioned Secretary…absolutely priceless!

http://www.bobvila.com/RoughCutShow/Podcast_089.html