Jefferson's Desk

Re: Jefferson's Desk

William Duffield

There is an article in the Sept/Oct 2000 Issue of Fine Woodworking (Issue 144) by Lon Schleining on building the desk. It uses modern techniques to avoid some of the problems with the original that resulted in some serious warping of the writing surfaces and damage to their hinges.

From time to time, Mario Rodriquez teaches a class on construction of the desk at the Philadelphia Furniture Workshop.

http://www.philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com/JeffersonLapDeskworkshop.htm

I've seen the original in the Smithsonian, a few reproductions at various SAPFM meetings, and building a reproduction of it is on my bucket list.

Re: Jefferson's Desk

William Duffield

PFW Blog Posts on construction of Mario's interpretation of the desk:

http://www.philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com/blog/?p=69

http://www.philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com/blog/?p=211

http://www.philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com/blog/?p=276

http://www.philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com/blog/?p=293

http://www.philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com/blog/?p=330

Re: Jefferson's Desk

Joseph Mulherin

Thank you, William, these desks will make a wonderful addition to my Maloof rocking chairs which I have on schedule to start making.

Re: Jefferson's Desk

Joseph Mulherin

just measured my laptop and this desk is almost the same size: 3"x10"x15".

the drawer size makes it up for the 3".

Save these URLs to your documents folder and you will have color pictures to compare what you need to make these desks.

Re: Jefferson's Desk

Todd Stock

A lovely project. I've done four of these, but went to solid, well quartered mahogany for everything, versus the laminated construction shown...none have really moved at all, due to well seasoned Cuban or SA mahogany stock. Three of the four were gifts to outgoing battalion or brigade commanders (all Army officers develop an interest in Revolutionary and Civil War history as a job skill, and spend a lot of time in the woods, so appropriate), and one to a retiring Naval officer...all prized by their owners.

Re: Jefferson's Desk

William Duffield

If you can source it, or resaw it from thick boards and edge glue it up into wide panels, I agree that QS mahogany is the best way to solve the warping problem.

Note that Mario Rodriguez' interpretation solves the problem differently, by using breadboard ends on the writing boards. he also used a different kind of hinge. Both compromises are clearly visible if you know what to look for, and detract from the historical accuracy of the reproduction.

Unless you are planning to keep it in a glass case in a museum, like the original, something needs to be done to prevent the writing boards from cupping and wrecking the hinges.