Writing Desk in a Weekend

[Art Mulder]

As we geared up for the new school year, my wife and I realized that we really needed another writing desk for one of children to use. Given that the school year had already started, I saw this a challenge to build a project very quickly!!


(More details and a build video are on my website)


Started with this piece of plywood



Came up with this shaker-style desk plan



I added fake breadboard ends to the top to make it look less like "just" a plywood top:





No one ever has enough clamps:



Upside down dry fit (Front notch/curve not yet cut):





Quick construction == mostly assembled with pocket hole screws.
But with five screws there, 1-1/2" long, it was a SOLID joint.



Finishing....

[Matt Meiser]

Wait...you can't make something that nice with pocket screws!

I made a set of end tables and a coffee table with pocket screw joinery for our old house. Daughter used the HECK out of that coffee table for 10 years as a play table. Sold it cheap when we moved because we had no place for it but it was still rock-solid. End tables are still rock-solid and in use in our new living room.

[Art Mulder]

Wait...you can't make something that nice with pocket screws!

I know you're kidding, but just to add to this... I made a test joint with ONE screw and I could hardly budge it. With 1" wide rails, butting up against 2" legs, I used 1-1/2" fine thread screws and it is strong.

(I'm sure that pocket holes in 5/8" particle board is not particularly strong. But then, lots of joinery in that situation wouldn't be! )

[Jim Becker]

Very nice project, Art!

And as you know...I'm very kewel with pocket screws and glue.

[Phil Mueller]

Beautiful table. Even more impressive clamp collection

[Brett Robson]

Well done! It's even more impressive that you took it start to finish in a weekend!

[Cody Colston]

No problem with using pocket hole joinery here, especially when function is the primary concern and time is short.

That desk looks good and should serve your children well. It also reminds me that I need to make one for my 1st grade Grandson.

[Art Mulder]

Gentlemen, thank-you, the kind words are appreciated!

Brett -- not having to glue up the top speeds things up.
Cody -- I've never been a snob about pocket holes. I think they have their place.
Phil -- that took a while to build up...