Early Access Video: The Frontier Desk
Added 2021-09-11 11:01:00 +0000 UTCFriends:
Here's a classic of Early American Furniture: the school-house desk. It's got a comfortable slanted top and a hinged lid that lifts to reveal tons of storage. It stands on elegant, slender legs, so it's easy to sweep around. Even better, you can build it from pine boards and a 2x4.
Oh, and don't worry, this is actually a full-size, adult desk! My daughter is very tall and she agreed that I should just build her a grown-up desk so she can't grow out of it right away. You can scale it down for a kid, or just sit them on a booster seat until they grow into it. Of course, you can also make this for the adult student in your life.
Just like usual, all the plans in this video are currently being finalized and they'll be posted here and on the Discourse Plan Archive on Wednesday morning.
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
Comments
I like the cut-down on background noise, but I think you're right. It's too compressed or something now?
Braden Mabry
2021-09-15 22:26:39 +0000 UTCSlog is kind. Joyce is unreadable
Matthew Leigh
2021-09-15 16:22:30 +0000 UTCRex is definitely improving, I'm impressed by this and the blanket chest!
Russell
2021-09-15 00:16:10 +0000 UTCBest period of education.
matthew hilberts
2021-09-14 06:02:36 +0000 UTCIn Canada, Lee Valley sells cut nails. I have no idea if they ship international... nor do I know where you live for that matter. :) https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/search#q=square%20cut%20nails&t=product-search-tab&sort=relevancy&layout=card&numberOfResults=25
Jeff Stauffer
2021-09-14 03:22:56 +0000 UTCThis piece is marvelous. Wondering about setting the hinges flush with the surface. Bit more chopping, but I think it's doable and I like the flat top.
Joel D Canfield
2021-09-13 18:21:16 +0000 UTCWalden: worse than Moby Dick?
Joel D Canfield
2021-09-13 18:06:30 +0000 UTCGreat looking desk will definitely have to build it, it’s just a pity timber is not cheap here.
Adam johnson
2021-09-13 11:17:59 +0000 UTCTremont Nail Company makes them here in the US. I've used them before and can definitely recommend them. https://www.tremontnail.com/
TwoRavens
2021-09-13 02:09:00 +0000 UTCI know there's been some discussion somewhere of where to get those nails, but is there an online source you recommend?
Kenneth Carlile
2021-09-13 01:51:56 +0000 UTCOur 2x2s are so bad here in northern VA that I ended up modifying plans (I know, me, modify plans?!) to use 2x3s instead when building my latest chicken coop expansion.
Kenneth Carlile
2021-09-13 01:49:12 +0000 UTCI like your doing a focus on this American furniture that was well made, has interesting joinery snd embellishments but, was made quickly easily and out of necessity! While I won’t be doing yhis build… yet… if my wife and I follow thru with our plans to relocate for retirement in Portugal … then I could see me doing this build easily!
Gerald Eddy
2021-09-13 00:09:34 +0000 UTCWell using big box wood sure lowers the barrier. I cut and worked teak the other day and was totally conscious of its cost
Richard C von Brecht
2021-09-12 18:03:14 +0000 UTCOh Bravo Rex, totally agree about Walden! Also Henry's mom's house was mile away from his cabin in the woods!! I never read it and don't intend to. But tell the town of Concord MA from making big deal about and ignoring what happen on April 19th, 1775. My wife Mary, a Masters in English Lit, has the same opinion of the volume. Well said sir!!
Winston Stone
2021-09-12 17:51:20 +0000 UTCMartin has it. Plan drop on Wednesdays.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:32:31 +0000 UTCI hear Tas Oak is a bear to work.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:32:04 +0000 UTCMan, the 2x2s around here are GARBAGE. Ripping a 2x4 is way less work.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:29:41 +0000 UTCI'm glad everyone is okay! Stay safe!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:29:16 +0000 UTCI really appreaciate that!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:29:01 +0000 UTCI think so, too!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:28:26 +0000 UTCThank you!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:28:17 +0000 UTCI bought a lavalier mic. The one on the camera sucks.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:28:03 +0000 UTCIt will get paint and a top-coat.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:27:47 +0000 UTCYou're very welcome!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:27:27 +0000 UTCI did that Shaker table early in the year and it's currently at the end of my couch.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:27:20 +0000 UTCI often use cheap wood out of sense of perversity....then I'm surprised at how well it works.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:26:58 +0000 UTCJoyce is a slog. No quesiton.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:26:25 +0000 UTCThat's what I was going for!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:26:11 +0000 UTCAppreciate that/
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:25:57 +0000 UTCThank you!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:25:49 +0000 UTCMake one and donate it! I donate a couple of pieces each year. I don't need some of the stuff i build.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:25:38 +0000 UTCWould you believe I STILL don't have my copy of that?
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:25:06 +0000 UTCI really like Moby Dick but it's deadly boring for big parts.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:24:41 +0000 UTCThat's such a nice thing to say!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:24:17 +0000 UTCI really like Moby Dick, but I had to read it twice before I get the appeal.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:24:00 +0000 UTCLot's of people do. I'm sure it's a classic for a reason.....a reason I totally don't get.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:23:31 +0000 UTCI wasn't sure which one looked harder. Thanks for your thoughts!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:23:05 +0000 UTCMan, that's nice to hear. This Pandenic year has been a struggle.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:22:43 +0000 UTCI'm glad it's useful!
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:22:17 +0000 UTCIt's going to get painted and then top-coated for durability. Nails don't generally rust in furniture, but the tanins in oak will reach with iron, so that's a concern. Pine is just fine.
Rex Krueger
2021-09-12 17:22:02 +0000 UTCI think they'll drop on Wednesday when this video goes live on YouTube. We see it early because we're patrons.
Martin Hartley
2021-09-12 09:09:09 +0000 UTCHey Rex good project ideas as always but as a patreon I can't find the softwood bundle products you mentioned free for Patreon. Is it ready yet? I asked some of the guys in discourse to help me finding this bundle and more details on the Frontier desk
Paul Mouradian
2021-09-12 05:19:15 +0000 UTCWatch this video sitting beside the desk I received as I started high school from my father, he wasn’t a wood worker but seemed to know everyone in our town who could make stuff Made from Tas Oak and still going strong even after both my boys used it too
Wayne
2021-09-11 22:04:25 +0000 UTCI guess because it’s just a great not super difficult fun thing to make, maybe for a neighbour’s child to use?
Wayne
2021-09-11 22:01:01 +0000 UTCWhy not buy 2x2 instead of 2x4 - to save on ripping the 2x4 for the legs? Or is this not a common lumber size in many places (common here in the north west). Great work. Thanks
John Morrison
2021-09-11 20:05:01 +0000 UTCCan't wait to get back to my shop and start on some of the benches and tools. We had to evacuate for the Dixie Fire. We maybe will be able to go back in on Wednesday. All our structures survived!
Edward Conway
2021-09-11 19:18:11 +0000 UTCThank you Rex. Excellent video as always. Beautiful and simple.
John Hiemstra
2021-09-11 19:12:49 +0000 UTCSomething to keep in mind for when my son is up to it and we have the space. Would be awesome.
Philip Edmondson
2021-09-11 18:36:27 +0000 UTCOne of the project in the bucket list , the pictures of old desk was inspiring , Great video as always !
Herbalist Terry Coffee
2021-09-11 18:01:02 +0000 UTC... and James Joyce!
Mark Petersen
2021-09-11 17:12:46 +0000 UTCbtw, I recently watched some older videos of yours, and the sound quality seems to be much better back than. Now it sounds quite compressed, as if you had the reduce background noise…? Or is it a different microphone?
Daniel Bohrer
2021-09-11 16:51:54 +0000 UTCWow, that is a beautiful piece, and I loved the detail in the back! Did you finish it with anything? In the German region, such pieces that were built by the farmers themselves were often painted with beautiful floral motives (put "Bauernmöbel" into the image search engine of your choise to get an impression)
Daniel Bohrer
2021-09-11 16:50:15 +0000 UTCThat was lovely, and quite educating/informative. Thank you as always
Vasileios
2021-09-11 16:33:38 +0000 UTCThis is what I need to do for my daughter also so thanks for the idea and plans. Now have you thought about end tables for couches?
Karl Weuste
2021-09-11 15:42:26 +0000 UTCUm... Round balers were invented in 1966, 20th century.
Denise Skidmore
2021-09-11 15:30:23 +0000 UTCI can testify that doing a bit of testing with your material is essential for a good out come. Go slow to go fast. Still it’s amazing what you can do with common lumber and good wood working techniques.
Richard C von Brecht
2021-09-11 14:37:38 +0000 UTCWalden is a summer afternoon compared to anything by Thomas Wolfe
Bill Rhodes
2021-09-11 14:31:23 +0000 UTCWell done. Beautiful, simple desk with some nice touches.
Kevin S Thomas
2021-09-11 14:27:21 +0000 UTCI agree on the Walden comment lol. Great desk.
Bill Snyder
2021-09-11 14:26:07 +0000 UTCLovely :)
Darren Malin
2021-09-11 14:17:10 +0000 UTCThe story behind these desks is very interesting and it just makes sense that's how things used to work in the community back then.Now why do I feel like building one when I have no use for it.
Richard Ziewiec
2021-09-11 13:10:28 +0000 UTCRex... I hated trying to read Henry David Thoreau... I would rather go to the dentist. As always what an excellent project. It reminds me of a desk that Washington or Jefferson would have sat at and developed the ideas the shaped a nation. I could also see it being used by army officers at encampment on campaign during various points during American history. I see my buddy Ceder23workshop(Brenden Strasburger) was featured in the same issue of Quercus magazine as you were. He is a neat hybrid guy making some neat hand made chairs. As always your video is the first thing I do on Saturday mornings when I can fit it in!
The Super-wrench Garage
2021-09-11 12:47:14 +0000 UTCOnce again, nicely done. Regarding "Walden", is it more boring than "Moby Dick"?
Bill Brisky
2021-09-11 12:39:55 +0000 UTCOnce again you've proven that we can build beautiful furniture without all the pomp and circumstance woodworkers generally fall into
Jeremy Carlsten
2021-09-11 12:28:28 +0000 UTCThat desk is so sharp. Laughed out loud about Walden. I like the book but it's not an everyday read. Can get preachy. I'd have to say I prefer Walden to Moby Dick or the ever-so-chipper Scarlet Letter. Getting through those was a slog.
Sean McGown
2021-09-11 12:27:21 +0000 UTCVery nice desk - simple and elegant. But I do like "On Walden Pond"'
Robert A Carbo
2021-09-11 12:15:18 +0000 UTCGreat video Rex. I built the six board chest and this is a great next step.
Skully Wood and Metal
2021-09-11 11:53:02 +0000 UTCGreat project. I made a desk back in January for my daughter (she's 27 though). She had been out of work due to covid and decided to go back to school to get a masters degree and realized she didn't want to do her work at her kitchen table as well. Since money was tight for her she found a simple desk online and said, "Dad, can you make that?" I said sure, I have the time ( I was out of work as well due to covid, we both work in the live entertainment industry as technicians). I made it out of cheap construction lumber, added a few decorative details, and she was overjoyed at the finished products. Thanks for your videos, sharing your ideas, creativity, and joy of the craft. You have definitely helped me get through the pandemic.
Brendan Langord
2021-09-11 11:45:57 +0000 UTCBrill vid Rex. I enjoy seeing the projects come together as well as the tips and hints you give us along the way.
Jim
2021-09-11 11:42:46 +0000 UTCI really enjoyed this video. The history and background of the piece as well as the complete build with tips like using a backing board when doing the rabbits and edges, as well as how to handle knots, and how to repair a split with CA glue. Wonder about finish options and how nails react to paint. Will they rust? Did some rust on the antiques you have seen? - Thanks again. I enjoyed this very much!
Robert Bullock
2021-09-11 11:25:13 +0000 UTC
