Just started a new project for the Boss (Wife). It is based on a secretary project in FWW Vol 151, 152, 153 (I think those #'s are right) Just got the boxes built but will keep updating. This is only a weekend project so pictures and updates. may be slow

Approximate size is 38" wide 84" High. Lower case is 21" deep. Top case is 11" Deep. Material - Red Oak

Looks nice.... What is it.. :) I don't have the FWW

Oops maybe a little more discription may help.

This is going to be a reproduction secretary desk (circa late 1800's) and is based on an article from Fine Woodworking Magazine. I did a double check and the correct issues #s are 154, 155, 156 for those that may have past issues laying around.

A secretry is basically a desk with a writing surface, pigeon holes (cubby units), and storage area. It is a good place to put your bill, write letters, etc. I am going to make some changes to the original in that the upper case is going to get glass doors and shelves for display items, the bottom will be 2 file drawers and the center (angled portion) will contain several decorative pigeon holes. The original had this area covered by a flip down lid (writing surface) but I am considering leaving the lid off in order to display the pigeon holes. I can see any reason to pretty it up, just to put it behind closed doors.

Attached is a similar product by a student of Lonnie Bird. He teaches a woodworking school and is the author of the articles in Fine Woodwoking that I will be following.

Today I managed to get the faceframe built and put on the upper case. Also made the Crown molding and attached it.

Very nice looking good! What kind of finish are you placing on it?

Most likely will be Minwax stain (Golden Pecan) with 2 coats of clear laquer. Nothing fancy, but it looks nice when done. I have done this with other pieces and they have held up very well. Easy to work with as well.

Hey Hack, It's looking great.

looks nice keep the pics rolling plz

Late evening in the shop has resulted in a little progress on this project. I managed to ge the beadboard back onto the upper case. It takes a few minutes to make, but is visually appealing i feel. With the glass doors that I will be putting on the upper case, it will be visible for all to see. The lower case will just receive a sheet of oak plywwod for the back as it will not need to be decorative.

If I am posting to many pictures, let me know and I will stop.

Dan

Sorry it has been so long since my last update of this project, but the "honey do list" needed some attention. Now that I have some of that done, I have been able to get back to the project.

I was not happy with the way the homemade crown molding turned out. It had some marks in it from the router that I thought I could sand out, but by time I sanded them out, i lost to much of the profile so I decided to tear it off and start over. Went with a store bought crown. It's OK i guess.

Got the 2 drawers built. They are just sitting there right now. I haven't installed any drawer slides yet. I thought I had some "on the shelf" but was not able to find 2 sets the right size. Tons of them the wrong size but... Ahh you all know how it is.

Got this thing set on a 2 x 4 base and wrapped it with some molding. Looks OK. Original design called for some fancy feet for it, but the cheapest I was able to find that I liked were 100 bucks. Not in the budget. The 2x4's and molding look great when compared to spending a 100 dollar bill.

I am going to start to design the cubby units for the open area of the bottom cabinet. These will be partially cut on my cnc machine. That should make life much easier than trying to do it by hand.

Hack

... Original design called for some fancy feet for it, but the cheapest I was able to find that I liked were 100 bucks.

You're supposed to make 'em, not buy 'em. :)

Well I got to fire up the CNC this weekend to make a few cuts for this project. Needed 2 matching parts like shown below. These are 1 upper and 1 lower for the cubby units (Lower unit shown - upper identical). Took a while to cut, but the parts turned out very nice and I actually was able to work on other things while the router ran.

Below are pics of the start of the cubbies and a pic of how the unit looks right now. Still got a ways to go.

Just a quick update for those who are following this. I don't want you to think that I am sitting around doing nothing. I am actually not to far from finishing the construction. Will be making the glass doors soon. I had to send my router out for repairs and that has held me up a little. Should be done soon. A few pics to see how it looks as of today.

lookin nice the more you use the cnc the more a buddy it becomes

Those little drawers with the sine waves are a nice touch. Did you cut them on your CNC?

Steve

Here are a few pics of the finished product. I decided against putting glass doors on it as it seems to distract from the detail of the beadboard back (that and I'm running out of enthusiasm for this project) Besides the wife loves it the way it is.

Yes the little drawers were cut on the cnc as well. It works very well for keeping all of the reveals the same.

Enjoy the pics.

Hack

Hey Hack great job, that turned out perfect. Thats something that can be passed down from generation to generation.

Sweeeet! :D