Cherry and Curly Maple Writing Desk

[David Pearson]

Here's a cherry and curly maple writing desk I made for my daughter. A week before I was finished with the desk, my wife decided that I needed to make a chair to go with it. Needless to say, I did not have the time to design and make a chair, so I made a bench to hold her over. I've never made a chair. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for a chair?

The finish is Minwax wipe on gloss poly. I need to buff it out at some point, after it cures. I've read that it takes up to a month for poly to cure enough to buff it. I've never buffed a piece, so I'll have to read up on it.

[Chris Stolicky]

Nice legs...

Well, this is a turning forum, right?


No, really though, you did a good job with some nice wood. Those are two of my favorite woods. As far as a chair, I'm not really any help there. Good luck.

[David Christopher]

David, that is a beautiful desk and bench.....but if you would post it in woodworking projects I think you would get more help

[David Pearson]

David, that is a beautiful desk and bench.....but if you would post it in woodworking projects I think you would get more help

Thanks. I posted it in the wrong place and can't figure out how to move it.... I did turn the legs though!!

[Jeff Wright]

It's nice to see in the Turning threads some flat work combined with turning. Nice work.

[John Thompson]

Very nice. I see it as a WW Project so it belongs here also IMO regardless if the legs were turned. Looks great. I have only built one set of chairs so I won't comment and allow someone with more experience there to do so. Chairmaking is an art in itself. After 36 years I built a set and frankly.. the chair-makers get my business the next go. Mine were not bad after the proto-type but... it takes some trial and error to get the hang of it IMO.

But.. I allow poly to cure (gas-off and harden) from 1 week to two for a rub-out. A month would be even better if you have the patience a the longer you wait the harder the surface. But.. I have found 1-2 weeks is sufficient as the weather here in Atlanta aids the gas off time..

Well done...

[John Keeton]

Nice work and some beautiful curly maple!! I am of absolutely no help on chairs. Remember the scene from the Patriot movie with the pile of broken Windsors in the corner?? Were I to attempt chairs, I would need a bigger space for the scrap pile

[Rick Moyer]

Wish I could help. I think I saw somewhere that someone wrote a tutorial on chair making, unfortunately I don't know where I saw it.

That's beautiful BTW. I have never had or used curly maple but you've made me want to get some for some project. I'm guessing it would look stunning paired with walnut, too.

[David Pearson]

Wish I could help. I think I saw somewhere that someone wrote a tutorial on chair making, unfortunately I don't know where I saw it.

That's beautiful BTW. I have never had or used curly maple but you've made me want to get some for some project. I'm guessing it would look stunning paired with walnut, too.

Thanks! I got the curly maple at Gutchess Lumber in Latrobe PA for $3.40 a bf. I got a 12" wide x 12' long board that was all tightly figured. I don't know if you are close to Latrobe, but if you are, check there. I can give you the number and address if you want it.

[Roy Wall]

David -

Beautiful work.......gorgeous wood......NICE!!

[David Gendron]

realy nice work indeed! I think the bench is totaly appropriatfor a writhing desk and it look realy good also!

[Jacob Mac]

I really appreciate the grain matching on the drawers. the contrast of wood is really striking as well. I bet the piece gets more striking over time.

[Rick Moyer]

Thanks! I got the curly maple at Gutchess Lumber in Latrobe PA for $3.40 a bf. I got a 12" wide x 12' long board that was all tightly figured. I don't know if you are close to Latrobe, but if you are, check there. I can give you the number and address if you want it.

I'm between Williamsport and Harrisburg, so not so close to Latrobe. Thanks anyway.

[Cody Colston]

That's wonderful work and the wood combination is gorgeous. I think the bench works very well with the desk, too.

As for chairs, I don't know if you have a subscription to Finewoodworking.com but under their "projects" tab, there is a great video tutorial on making a chair and the particular design is highly adaptable.

Now, having said that, what I did was go to Office Depot and buy one that was probably cheaper than what I could make one for...and very comfortable, too.

[David Pearson]

That's wonderful work and the wood combination is gorgeous. I think the bench works very well with the desk, too.

As for chairs, I don't know if you have a subscription to Finewoodworking.com but under their "projects" tab, there is a great video tutorial on making a chair and the particular design is highly adaptable.

Now, having said that, what I did was go to Office Depot and buy one that was probably cheaper than what I could make one for...and very comfortable, too.

Thanks Cody! Office Depot was my second option...