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Thread: Pennsylvania Secretary

  1. 03-19-2008, 6:11 PM #1
    Robert LaPlaca
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    Pennsylvania Secretary

    Well folks I have been working on two Lonnie Bird Penn. Secretaries featured in FWW 154-156. One desk is a wedding present for a niece, the second is for my wife. The desks are built out of Walnut with Poplar used as the secondary wood. The drawer fronts, tombstone door panels and small tombstone door are veneered with shop sawn crotch Walnut veneer. There is no plywood anywhere in the desk, even the drawer bottoms are Poplar.The dovetails were cut by hand..

    Here are the two desks unfinished;
    Unfinished Secretaries.JPG

    Here are some picture of one of the one desk that I have finished. Stain is Transfast Antique Red Walnut dye very diluted, glazed with General Georgian Cherry and finish is Hock Garnet Shellac and wax, the brasses are from Ball and Ball;

    DSCN04740001.JPG
    DSCN04780001.JPG
    DSCN04800001.JPG
    DSCN04820001.JPG
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  3. 03-19-2008, 6:33 PM #2
    Todd Solomon
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    Wow Robert, those are spectacular! I hope to build something with such beauty, in my lifetime. The crotch walnut is just jaw-dropping.

    I've been in Lonnie's home, while attending a casework class. I have seen the secretary that I'm sure the plans were based on, along with a number of other gorgeous period pieces.

    Congratulations to your neice, and your wife! They are two lucky ladies, and I cannot imagine a more special gift.

    Todd
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  4. 03-19-2008, 6:34 PM #3
    Cliff Rohrabacher
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    Most impressive ~!! Great work.
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  5. 03-19-2008, 6:36 PM #4
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    Brent Ring
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    Wow! Those are awesome!
    Sawdust is some of the best learning material!
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  6. 03-19-2008, 6:39 PM #5
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    Dan Edminster
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    Sweeeeeet!

    Robert,
    Beautifully executed and a wonderful choice of both wood and finish. Heirloom pieces for generations to come. The "girls" will undoubtedly be thrilled! How much time do you figure per secretary?
    Regards,
    Dan
    The heft and feel of a well-worn handle,
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  7. 03-19-2008, 6:40 PM #6
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    Mike Henderson
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    Those are terrific! A work of art.

    Mike
    Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.
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  8. 03-19-2008, 6:50 PM #7
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    Jeff Wright
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    Beautiful work indeed! What source did you use for the hardware. With such beautiful craftmanship, I'm sure you used only the best. Ball & Ball maybe?
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  9. 03-19-2008, 6:53 PM #8
    Richard M. Wolfe
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    I like! ----- I more than like!! ----- I more than more than like!!!

    My kinda stuff.

    Great work, Robert.
    And now for something completely different....
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  10. 03-19-2008, 7:01 PM #9
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    Doug Shepard
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    Wowza. Any idea how many hours went into those? Just curious in case I ever wanted to try something that ambitious.
    Use the fence Luke
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  11. 03-19-2008, 7:10 PM #10
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    Chris Padilla
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    Spectacular...worthy of print in FWW!!
    Wood: a fickle medium....

    Did you know SMC is user supported? Please help.
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  12. 03-19-2008, 7:16 PM #11
    Robert LaPlaca
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    Jeff, the hardware was indeed sourced from the folks at Ball and Ball. Evidentially, Lonnie Bird purchased all the hardware for his desk featured in FWW from Ball and Ball, so they gave me the complete bill of materials used by Bird for the desk.
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  13. 03-19-2008, 7:26 PM #12
    Michael Handrinos
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    secretary

    Man. That's some kind of craftmanship. That's one of my favorite pieces. I hope to build one one day. How long did it take you and were the tombstone doors difficult to make?

    Any pics taken while building these beautiful pieces?

    Mike
    Last edited by Michael Handrinos; 03-19-2008 at 9:01 PM.
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  14. 03-19-2008, 7:27 PM #13
    Kim Dressler
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    Wow they are both very beautiful. You have a lot of talent.
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  15. 03-19-2008, 8:06 PM #14
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    Michael Pfau
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    Robert, looks great! A secretary is on my too do list. Outstanding!!
    Michael and Sally Pfau
    Grant Creek Woodworks
    Missoula Montana
    www.grantcreekwoodworks.com
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  16. 03-19-2008, 8:13 PM #15
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    Jim Becker
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    OUTSTANDING, Robert!!! Those are just wonderful.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
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