Maple Computer Desk

Nice job Kevin,
It is a shame the ends are so hidden, they are beautiful. Keep up the good work.

Have a blessed Day, Todd

Thanks Todd!

Down the road I plan to move that dresser that is next to the right side so I can expose the end more. Same way with the speaker on the left side, just need re-position it underneath the desk in the corner

You do the same Todd,

Kevin

Awesome details in this, so much visual interest. great work.

Kevin,

You've done an outstanding job with this desk. All the special details are superb.

L/W

Ken and L/W,

Thanks for the compliments! It was a fun and relaxing project for the most part. I knew the two ends would not be as visible as I wanted to right now, but I was thinking long term and I wanted to create a balance with the trim detail on the sides. Once the other furniture in the bedroom is re-arranged the ends should be more visible

I'm really happy with the detail on the sides. I think it gives the desk a lot more visual appeal also instead of just a basic side panel there.

Kevin

Howdy Kevin.

The desk is beautiful! I really like the trim work and finish. You have already helped me with my desk project. Is there any way to get a picture of the inside of the drawer cabinet? I'd really love to see how you supported your hardware and what kind you used. It just seems to me that you really know what you are doing and I could use a few pointers.

Hey Mark,

Thanks for the compliment! I can post a picture of the inside of the cabinet when I get home this evening from work. I learned a few tricks after I completed my oak desk a few years ago for the hardware and making sure of equal spacing between the inset drawers. Things are much easier if you are doing overlay drawer fronts and the need to be precise isn't as demanding.

Another thing, since my legs were bigger than the panel thickness (3/4") I had to use some 1/4" strips of wood to get to the same level as the legs when mounting the glides. You can see this in the photograph when I post it later this evening.

Kevin

How did you create that rope detail? It's really nice.

LJackson,

The rope I bought. It's 1/4" maple at around $.80 per foot.

Kevin

That is a nice design and you've done a fine job on it. Congratulations.

helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com

Very attractive Desk Kevin

Much appreciated Charles and Jim!

Kevin

Here are the pictures of the inside of the cabinet. Behind each glide is a piece of wood that is probably 1/4" thick, just enough to make the glide flush with the leg.







I started with the bottom glide and then used a piece of wood as a jig to place upon the glides to keep them level.

Kevin

Kevin, beautiful desk. Nice design and details.

Did you do anything special to get what looks to be very uniform coloring on the solid maple? I ask because I've built a solid maple table for our flat screen and unsure of finishing without a blotchy finish.

Again nice job.

Thanks Dan!

I did a lot of research prior to finishing the maple desk due to maple and cherry are prone to blotch. Here is what I did to try and prevent the blotch.

- sand from 80->150->220
- wipe the pieces down with a wet cloth really good to raise the grain if needed.
- once any grain was raised I did a final sand with 320

some would say to not go with 320 to sand since it won't take stain as good.

I used Fawn Maple which is almost like a water consistency and sprayed it on with a HVLP gun. Waited 20 seconds then wiped any excess off/buff it. You can also take a rag and rub it on, just wear gloves. Here is the link to what I have been using lately.

http://www.mohawk-finishing.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=177

I use their Alcohol Dye and Wiping Stain and it is probably the best I've used so far. I will not buy anything from lowes, home depot, wal-mart, etc…. anymore LOL. I didn't even have to put a seal coat on using these products either

I've got access to a lot of maple/cherry I can practice on scrap pieces before diving in on the actual project.

Good luck

Kevin