Prepping glue

The boards are run on the jointer to get a prefect glue joint, then they are glued in half sections of the top so we don't have to glue every board all at once.

Milling

We joint and mill the pieces for the top so they are flat and true- the 6/4 lumber has some thickness that will result in a good thick top.

Layout and chose

I mill only the best parts of the boards to be milled and joined for the top.

Good wood

Good wood is hard to find, it took three separate trips to three yards to find a pile of 6/4 and 8/4 cherry lumber to build this table.

Next project: Oval dining table in cherry

Good designs are hard to come by, myself and a designer worked hard to hammer out the subtle shapes and concept for the table and base.

AP Stand Up Desk

Heres the desk in the photo studio, this project was a great mix of clean design, high end craftsmanship, really nice wood, and an ergonomic challenge.

Interior work

I have made a mock up of the interior parts, this helps me and the client see the possibilities inside. I want to have a few dividers for paper and other writing stuff, I'm adding a curve or two to contrast with the sharp angles of the desk body and I'm adding a nice twist by making the entire interior of curly maple.

Top on

Now that I have the top glued and hinged, I can really see the shape and lines of the piece. I added a trim piece that reflects the top over hang and adds a finished element to the desk body.

Pegging the joints

Sometimes I will peg the joints to add strength and a detail. These pins are left a little long to add a cool feel for the fingers.

Rare woods

I have a collection of wood that I use for special projects, this desk is made from air dried walnut cut in Ohio in the 1970's. The top panel is made from a crotch figure that is a one of a kind, amazing piece of wood.

Overall form

The piece is together enough now to have a look at the overall form and proportions. The top frame parts are cut and prepped.

Gluing parts

I've got the legs and parts ready to assemble the desk body. Here I'm gluing a side section, then the two sides get glued to form the whole.

Hand tools

Since my pieces are built one at a time, I use hand tools as much or more than power tools. This allows for details that combine the hand and eye, the tool and the wood. Its a pleasure to work at the bench with a hand tool rather than a screaming power machine.

Joinery

I use mortise and tenon joints, they are a time tested joint. My mortiser is used here to make a stepped joint that will accept the tenons of the desk body.

The leg

The main focus of this stand up desk is the overall form, a slant top body sitting on four legs. The leg needs to have a very strong shape that can stand alone as a primary shape, amply supporting the structure and anchoring the design.

Wood for the stand up desk

Searching for the right wood for the right design. I have kept some lumber for years, this project calls for some very nice 4/4 and 8/4 stock, all air dried with vibrant color from air drying. I need walnut and maple, matching color and grain and good thickness for the use intended.

Next project

My next commission is a stand up desk, designed to help reduce the time sitting in a chair at the office. This desk will primarily serve as a work station for the lap top, this piece is to be graceful and sturdy, and will have storage inside.









This design, although subtle and graceful, has specific ergonomic considerations for the client.

Studio pictures

Ah, the finished pieces, always a pleasure, they are smooth and warm to the touch, sturdy and clean for the eye.

Time for finish

Oil finish is the best for a custom piece like this one. Now we get to see the matching colors and grains that were laid out in the initial rough cut. Oil finish takes time and effort, resulting in an exquisite luster and tactile finish. Next step; reassemble and into the studio for a portfolio photo shoot.

How do you make that?

Then it's onto the bench for filing and sanding. Many of my shapes are derived from human shapes, finger sized pulls are easy to sand and nice to hold. Attach and enjoy. Note the top pulls are a little wider than the second tier, and the bottom ones are narrower, reflecting the scale of each drawer. Also, the pulls are eased up a bit on the lower drawers so they look right from above.




First the concept: a shapely pull that feels nice in the hand and you can grip it to open the drawer. I cut the curve in a strip and sand, flip it over and shape the top. After cutting at an angle, the individual pulls are drawn out and band sawn.