Built a Desk...

Normally, when I make things they don't come out so great. I usually get pissed, and end up destroying them and walking away. But, I've spent about two weeks on this project and I've got more to do but it's finally picture worthy.


Top of the desk and shelf are cabinet grade 3/4" oak plywood. Skirt and leg supports are 3/4" pine. Legs are poplar. The edge of the desk top and shelf are oak veneered. I'm not too keen on the leg supports so I'm thinking of changing them. But...overall I think it came out well. It still needs stain and poly and I have a few more little things to add to it. I know some of you have way more talent than me in this department but considering my limited skill set and patience with measuring and cutting and sanding I think it came out nice.

Sorry the pic is bad, I took it at 2100 last evening after I temporarily mounted the shelf on it.

nice job !....looks like shes built to last.

Looks good IOF--if ya got a router, put it to those leg supports & be done with it--you're right though--the pix sux

Yeah, I don't know what's up with my pics. Seems some websites like them others blow them up to what you have here.

I didn't even think about hitting the supports with the router. Now to figure out where I put it and find the bits.

Nice job on the desk! If you have a small laminate trimmer you can put router bits with 1/4" shank in it and hit the skirting without removing them and if you have a chamfer ( 45 degree ) you can put a small shadow up and down the legs, stopping where the skirting is and will look like you planned it that way. Be care with the stain, different wood species absorb various amounts of stain, therefore the color may vary. You could stain the oak veneer and paint the other woods a contrasting color...sorry for the rant, I just took a break from bathroom remodel.

Definitely picture worthy. Nice job.

michaelanthony wrote:Nice job on the desk! If you have a small laminate trimmer you can put router bits with 1/4" shank in it and hit the skirting without removing them and if you have a chamfer ( 45 degree ) you can put a small shadow up and down the legs, stopping where the skirting is and will look like you planned it that way. Be care with the stain, different wood species absorb various amounts of stain, therefore the color may vary. You could stain the oak veneer and paint the other woods a contrasting color...sorry for the rant, I just took a break from bathroom remodel.

Ooh, I didn't think about painting the legs an actual color. Might be worth looking into.

Looks good...got any plans for it? think it would work great for my reloading station in back room.

I also wanted to say the radius' on the corners look awesome. If that is free hand bravo!

michaelanthony wrote:I also wanted to say the radius' on the corners look awesome. If that is free hand bravo!

Yes, they were free hand. Then cut with a jig saw and then cleaned up with sandpaper.

wilder11354 wrote:Looks good...got any plans for it? think it would work great for my reloading station in back room.

Yes, it's my new computer desk. Although, a reloading bench would also be perfect too.

I'm On Fire wrote:I know some of you have way more talent than me in this department but considering my limited skill set and patience with measuring and cutting and sanding I think it came out nice.

I've done a bit of amateur furniture building myself, and I think you did a great job!!! You get way more pleasure and satisfaction out of a piece furniture you built yourself, than from a professional-looking piece you buy in a store.

Here's a tip...when you're done with it, print your name, the date, and the address where you built it (I assume your home) with a permanent marker, or a dip pen if you have one, on the underside of the top. Then put some poly or other varnish over the writing. This will make it more meaningful to one of your kids or grandkids someday.

My 26-year-old son has a little table I built for him when he was about 6, to sit and draw at. Nothing fancy, just a little trestle table made of pine and stained. He now uses it as a TV stand. I wrote a little message to him on the underside of the top, signed it, and put the date and our address on it. I never told him it was there and I don't think he's found it yet, but I'm sure he will someday.

Nice job!
I initial and date everything, even my coal bins!

Wood'nCoal wrote:Nice job!
I initial and date everything, even my coal bins!

I put these little stickers I got that say “made in China” on everything that way people think I bought it.

Looks like it turned out nice “I’m On Fire” we will soon be calling you “James Krenov”

Looks nice. You know its American made.