During our mini working vacation, I spied an interesting writing desk cabinet.
Ralph of the Accidental woodworker asked me for dimensions as he expressed an interest in building one.
So spend some time measuring and taking more pics.
Being termed primitive, means that it was built by a country farmer most likely, instead of a proper cabinetmaker. I do not know how old it is, but it has survived rather well. It is probably 100+ years old.
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I realized while making this post that I missed some details and dimensions, but there should be enough in there to duplicate this cabinet if so desired.
If you want more information's, just let me know, and I'll endeavor to get it.
Bob, who should be planing his saw till's drawers stock today??
Ralph of the Accidental woodworker asked me for dimensions as he expressed an interest in building one.
So spend some time measuring and taking more pics.
Being termed primitive, means that it was built by a country farmer most likely, instead of a proper cabinetmaker. I do not know how old it is, but it has survived rather well. It is probably 100+ years old.
3/4 view of the desk.
Front view. There are two drawers at the bottom.
and 8 drawers inside.
Writing surface is resting on two pulled out stretchers.
Detail on end of stretcher.
The stretchers rides inside a closed cavity and have some sort
of stop to prevent coming all the way out.
As for construction details, the inside drawers dividers are dadoes in place.
The four legs are secured to the desk side pieces by mortise and tenons, and the whole upper desk look like it is inset inside the base frame structure (2 pieces construction?), hence why the small bevel moulding separating both. The bottom cabinet has a bottom board to closed off the two bottom drawers space, and there is a batten running across front to back where the vertical divider is for the drawers.
It was all made with wide boards, I see no glue joints. There are also lots of cut nails used in its construction.
Not a single dovetail in the whole construction, including the drawers.
All in all, not a bad construction design, and think what you may, the proof is in the "longevity" of the piece...
So if anyone is interested, here are the major dimensions I recorded.
Nominal board thickness, 3/4 in. Varies slightly, hand planed.
Inside bank of drawers frame is 1/2 in thick boards.
Side elevation.
Front elevation.
Inside details.
If you want more information's, just let me know, and I'll endeavor to get it.
Bob, who should be planing his saw till's drawers stock today??