Slab Desk

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16

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted any projects…Began this desk for my wife last March; cut the dovetails for the cabinet and started flattening the top, then was interrupted by a move and the laborious process of building a new shop. Finally got back to working on this just after Christmas.

Top is black oak, cabinet and legs are walnut, cabinet front is spalted maple with African blackwood pulls. Cabinet is finished with four coats of “tung” oil, top is finished with 5 coats of “tung” oil and 3 coats of wipe on poly.

Overall this was my most ambitious project to date; all hand cut joinery and a slab that I had to extensively work on with hand planes to get flat. Happy with the way it turned out, but like most long projects, glad to move on to the next one.

Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

16 Comments

Very impressive desk that will be handed down for many generations .

Wheaties

It’s beautiful. Well worth the wait. The top is only secured by 3 corners. That’s a great look but is it wobbly at all? It looks very heavy.

Losing fingers since 1969

Very cool design ,super desk.

woodworking classes, custom furniture maker

I love that its simple. Straight forward with clean lines however it pops with some hidden spice. Like the bow ties, the dovetails on the case and the taper on the legs going into the end support. Im proud to say great craftsmanship well done. You should be proud.

Jeff Vandenberg aka "Woodsconsin"

Thanks guys!

Brian, the pics don’t show it well, but the top is attached to the cabinet at several different points so it is pretty solid. My main concern with my design choice is that the spindly legs won’t hold up to the racking forces and I’ll have to replace/modify them.

Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Well it’s a gorgeous piece. You have a great mind for design.

Losing fingers since 1969

Thanks Brian! It’s good to be back woodworking after a long time off.

Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Rob,

Such beautiful wood selections! The workmanship looks outstanding.

L/W

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin

This is a great design! I love this one!

Well done both in design and execution!

Todd A. Clippinger Share the Love - Share the Knowledge

Thanks L/W and Todd!

Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

It’s a great piece.

The wood grain is impressive. You must have spent some serious time trying to figure out what goes where.

Abbas, Castro Valley, CA

What a beautiful piece, well done.

I do not have attention deficit disor.................hey look, it's a bunny!

Lovely piece, great design and timber selection, should bring joy to many generations.

wood wolf

Thanks everyone!

Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario