Finally, time to fit the drawers to their respective openings in the front apron of the desk (Edit to add: all hand-cut dovetails, as I am trying to reproduce features of a desk for my client):
Changes in humidity caused the drawer fronts to grow considerably across the grain; I had to wait until things stabilized prior to doing the initial fitting – I am glad I did. Had I not waited, it would have been close to impossible to remove the drawers from the openings without damaging the front apron, as they would been too tight!
As I made progress, things are taking shape. Notice how the grain runs uninterrupted from left to right; this is the result of cutting the drawer front pieces from the same board as the front apron/frame:
The initial fitting is always exciting, as it is an opportunity to aim for the smallest possible reveal around the drawer fronts, while ensuring smooth opening and closing of every drawer. Sharp hand planes are the best way to do it!
The fourth drawer awaits initial fitting now. Construction can then proceed, as moisture content in the wood has stabilized significantly.
— Al Navas
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Related articles: Click this link to read several articles related to the construction of the desk.
About Al Navas
Great work – I’ve been considering pulling out my shop drawers above my workbench and making a design very similar
Eric,
Thanks! You will enjoy doing it, and you will also be very proud to have done it – I say “Go for it!…”
Simply beautiful Al!
Well worth the wait for a good fit. The client is really going to be very pleased with this desk!
Thanks, Bob! I am looking forward to completion, and so is my client. I am considering a similar desk for my home office, too.
Isn’t it funny how sometimes you design something for a client that you normally wouldn’t have considered for yourself, but when it’s finished you think, “hey, I wouldn’t mind having one of these!”
I never wanted to build a roll top desk for myself, I figured that the tambour and and the complexity of the movable parts was just too much trouble when there were other configurations that would accomplish the same task, however when I received a commission to reproduce an old roll top that had been damaged in a fire I changed my thinking when it was complete. Once I had done the problem solving I realized it was actually a pretty neat form to build.
Point being that sometimes our clients request things that open our eyes and change our thinking in regards to design. I’ve had to deliver more than a couple of pieces that would have worked beautifully in my own home.
Ron
Ron,
How right you are. I never realized the utility of this type of form, until I realized I sit way too much on any given day!
Al you’re right about sitting so much to use computers, a desk that requires you to stand would make a great piece for use inside the woodworking shop.