Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Reproduction Desk
Paul in NJ
>This desk resides at the Historic Allaire Village Church in and holds the wedding register. I faithfully replicated the original, which was retired from active duty. My friends here at Wood Central helped date the original to about 1850 from the type of hinges, screws, and locks used.
This was a hand tools only project with the exception of my lathe for the drawer knobs.
Paul Dzioba
Inside
Paul in NJ
>
Corner detail
Paul in NJ
>If you are wondering about the patch of paint, it is just a little pre-finish. The moulding isn't attached to the leg and would have shown bare wood with seasonal movement.
Paul Dzioba
Purty!
Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA
>graceful design. I like the (milk?) paint finish.
Re: Reproduction Desk
Ray Binnicker
>A true craftsman !!!
Re: Corner detail
Tom Colligan
>Very nice, Paul. It looks like you split the dowels to take a wedge, no? Tom
Re: Reproduction Desk
Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI
>Looks good. The proportions are just right I think; if you have drawings or sketches with dimensions I would be interested in seeing them. I think maybe this would be a good project for Popular Woodworking to do an article on. I am also wondering on the detail of the top; is the inside surface lined with something?
Re: Reproduction Desk
MikeW
>Very nice work, Paul.
Just think, another 150 years (or more) from now, someone may recreate yours. Hopefully the original will still be stored to use in the replication, but perhaps not.
Take care, Mike
Re: Reproduction Desk
Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
>Very nice Paul!
Did you make the paint yourself (assuming it is milk paint)? I also assume that this is the way the original was finished.
Regards from Perth
Derek
thanks for showing!
john jesseph
>Nice work, hope you made two (one to keep at home)!
Re: Corner detail
Paul in NJ
>Actually, they are the rings of the end grain of the pegs. I rived Black Locust from my firewood pile and hammered them through my dowel plate.
Paul Dzioba
Re: Reproduction Desk
Paul in NJ
>�I am also wondering on the detail of the top; is the inside surface lined with something�?
The inside is unfinished pine like the original. The original was all pine but I could not easily find wide and thick boards, I used polar for the carcass and legs.
�I think maybe this would be a good project for Popular Woodworking to do an article on�.
Popular Woodworking has a series of articles of a standup desk in the �Arts and Mysteries� column by my friend Adam, my desk would be redundant.
Paul Dzioba
Re: Reproduction Desk
Paul in NJ
>I used the Barn Red from �The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co.� I tried making my own milk paint one time but had trouble finding the pigments in the colors I wanted and was not satisfied with the results.
Paul Dzioba
Really nice!
Tony - Memphis
>
Re: Reproduction Desk
Andrew Lunn
>Beautiful desk Paul. The details look very tight and crisp, not unlike the handplanes you shared with us awhile back. Keep it up!
Andrew
Re: Reproduction Desk
Wiley Horne--So. Calif.
>Paul,
Truly a graceful piece, and so well executed by yourself.
One question: The molding which wraps the bottom of the case is just perfection. How is it detailed on the bottom side? It looks like an ogee from the top--is it rounded as an ovolo on the bottom side?
Wiley
Re: Molding
Paul in NJ
>Wiley,
The molding that wraps around the bottom is the same as the molding on the desk lid. I started with an astragal, 3/8 or 1/2, and rounded the flat on each side with a small hollow. It is not a perfect match to the original but very close, perhaps slightly thicker in depth.
Paul Dzioba
Re: Molding
MikeW
>Elegant solution that is well executed, Paul.
Sometimes it is difficult for me to see simple solutions to molding issues.
Take care, Mike
Re:Oh great...
Jim Toews - Walla Walla, WA
>After seeing that desk I'm certain my LOML will add it to an already extensive to-do list of furniture she wants me to build. Hey! Waite a minute! She'll add it to the wish list... Hmmm, I smell an opportunity to aquire more tools here! Great desk; thanks for posting!
Cheers!
Jim
Inspiring work, Paul!
VTAndy4
>
Milk Paint?
Jeff
>Very nice indeed, Paul.
Did you use milk paint? If so, any tips you would like to share?
Need to know about finish too.
David Churnega
>Beatiful piece. If that is indeed milk paint I need to know more about it as I am considering building a Shaker piece in that color.
Re: Reproduction Desk
Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI
>I have been following Adam's progress on the desk, and it was in fact what decided me on getting the subscription. This one to me looks similar and yet decidedly different. Just my opinion. Very nice work, as usual.
Yes, milk paint
Paul in NJ
>Three coats of milk paint with a couple of coats of pure tung oil rubbed in afterwards. I add a touch of japan drier to speed the drying of the tung oil. Some use boiled linseed oil instead. It turns out to be a durable finish.
Paul Dzioba
Great idea!
Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
>Adding some paint before applying the molding. I need to remember that one. Very nice desk Paul. Simple and clean.