Small Computer Desk

With a new baby on the way it was necessary to replace the large computer desk with a small one. The goals of this design were:

- Had to fit into a space allocated by SWMBO.
- Economy – use up existing offcuts from other projects and not overspend on new timber.
- Hide the PC. This is a small form factor case 320mm wide by 100 high by ~570 deep, but it was still big compared to the room.

The top is laminated from 3 boards of recycled NZ kauri. Drawer fronts and breadboard ends are from a single piece of heart rimu. Drawer sides are ‘Pacific Rimu’ scraps that I got for free. Legs and frame are Radiata Pine. I ripped the TNG off of some TNG and laminated it to make the drawer bottoms. Legs and rails were assembled with mortise and tenon. The drawer tails were cut on the tablesaw and the pin waste removed with a plunge router before chiselling to fit. I made a middle drawer which I hope to use eventually. It was finished with water based polyurethane. Everything but the pine had a coat of BLO first.

What went well:
- I took the time to properly sharpen planes and chisels. This gave me tremendous confidence using both.
- I’m very pleased with the drawers. Slips and solid bottoms were worth the extra effort.
- The PC position is a little unique and I think it is quite elegant.
- I was concerned that not having a skirt on the front would compromise stability. It did, but only very slightly.
- I’m sold on water based poly. It’s quick drying and the extra cost is cancelled by not having to buy mineral spirits for the cleanup.

Regrets:
- One of the drawers was glued up on an untrue surface and would not sit flat. I was able to plane it true but this was an anxious process.
- The poly is cracked where the breadboard end and the top are sliding. I’m pleased to see it moving in the correct way but did not foresee the effect on the finish. Is there a way to prevent this?
- I was a bit lazy attaching the top only in the corners and the weight of the PC is causing the frame to sag away from the top slightly. I must reinforce in the centre.
- I made an irreparable mark in the top AFTER the whole thing was finished when I turned it over to plane the underside of the drawer runners after noticing they were a bit rough. More care would have prevented this.