Laptop Desk: Info Page

Posted 22 June 2017

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Description

Paul’s latest design for a laptop desk combines opposing curves and rounded sections to create a new and modern look. It features shaped legs, dovetailed aprons AND desk-top bins for convenient storage with neatness. This is a great project for developing new woodworking skills and techniques including creating and using your own veneers.

The tools you will need are:

  • Knife
  • Square
  • Combination gauge (or marking gauge and mortise gauge)
  • *Cutting gauge
  • Tape/Ruler (or both)
  • Sliding bevel
  • Dovetail template
  • Mortice guide
  • Winding Sticks
  • Chisel hammer
  • Chisels (at least 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″)
  • Hand router (see how to make a ‘Poor Man’s Router here)
  • Smoothing plane (No 4)
  • Jack Plane (No 5) (optional but recommended if preparing your wood
  • from rough sawn)
  • Spokeshave (flat bottomed)
  • No 80 Cabinet Scraper
  • Card scraper
  • Handsaw
  • Tenon saw
  • Dovetail saw
  • *Compass saw
  • Brace & bit and hand drill or drill driver
  • *Rasp
  • Flat file (10”)
  • Square Awl

* = optional

Joints List:

  • Stopped angled mortise and tenons
  • Dovetails
  • Housing dadoes

40 Comments

    1. Ohhh, and another thought…. the stool project done in oak would go nicely along side this…… ideas ideas!

      Pity I’ve got a couple of saw horses, a box, a tool chest and a bench to make before I can even think about starting on one of these 😀

  4. Is there a way we could see scans of Paul’s notebook? I was able to read a bit of what you showed, and it was absolutely fascinating! I didn’t realize that he also included his design philosophies along side his dimensional sketches!

    1. Im also curious as to why the veneer verses just solid wood. The only thing I can think of would be for movement but using QSWO I would think that movement would be very minimum . Maybe for the joinery on the corners this way he’s using the end grain like normal instead of the side grain . ???? Ahhhh Maybe thats it. Good question though.
      Chris

  6. When my wife finds this video on Facebook – and sends the link to me via chat saying “It’s a clever design. It’s functional and pretty. Can you actually build something like that?” – it’s a good day.

    I don’t know if I CAN build it, but she’ll let me buy some wood and try it. Here’s to hope!

    Thank you Paul. My debt to you and your team is beyond anything I can ever repay…

    3. Paul’s son did a very good segment on putting a nice hook cutting adge on a scraper. I have the same tool. It doesn’t come sharp so you’ll need to do some work on it right out of the box. Good luck.

  14. Great project as always Paul and team. I like the proportions and the integration of the vertical grain. I have never had an idea to “improve” on one of Paul’s designs… and I’m not going to start now. However I would like to “suggest” from a practical point of view that a 3/4″ – 1″ dia. hole could be drilled in the top at the toe of the storage compartments so that a power cord, network cord, etc. could seamlessly go through and not have to go over the top or around the side. That decision may be addressed in due course through the segments dealing with cabling my entire work life it can be an eyesore to an otherwise great piece of furniture. I can’t wait to get these other projects done so I can make one or two of these for my kids to do their homework on.

    1. I’m not sure a person could “improve” on Paul’s designs however, modification to suit your needs is another thing. I hope he does address wiring later as I would want to do the same as you or even put holes into the storage spaces to put cell phone chargers in.
      :-). I hate the pile of wires under my desk!

    1. That was aweful, using a friends tablet with German language spell correct. Lets try the question again.

      Paul, off the top of your head, what would I have to add from a structural standpoint (if anything) to make this a standup desk.

  18. I like the drawing format that you have chosen. The hand written notes and sketches give it a homey feeling. Are these actual copies of Paul’s drawings or are these Greg’s reproductions?

  20. Hi,

    I’m looking into this project to see if I can make this desk for my parents. It would be the biggest piece of furniture I’ve made so far. I’ve got a question: a desk in oak would probably blend too much with their oak floorboards, so could I use a darker wood like Black Walnut (Juglans Nigra) for this design?

    Keep up the wonderful work!
    Onno

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