Again, I attended the Colonial Williamsburg Conference Working Wood in the 18th Century. This year’s subject was Desks and the conference leadership, Cabinetmakers, and Joiners presented five different 18th C desk styles.
One of these was an early 1725 Virginian Desk on Frame, thought to have been made by a joiner rather than a cabinetmaker. This is a large stand-up desk in walnut and it includes a unique style wooden hinge for the swing-out gateleg.
In the following video, I show my SketchUp rendition of the lower section of the Desk. I’m sure my joinery and sizing of components is not accurate. My intention is to show something that works but will not be an accurate reproduction.
Here is a picture of the Desk on Frame in the book Southern Furniture by The Colonial Williamsburg Collection.
Here is the rough model of the Stand. I have not yet worked on the upper desk portion that includes many pigeon holes, small drawers, and a hinged slanted lid.
The large writing surface rotates down in a vertical position as shown here.
Here is a closer view of the Rule Joint for the Writing Surface.
After hiding some of the components, you can have a better look at this gateleg wooden hinge. This hinge style is different than others I have made, in that it has long fingers. I have previously worked with more compact hinges with a barrel construction of knuckles.
Here in a rear view, you can see how the fingers protrude through the front skirt that connects the front legs.
Here is an X-ray view of the front leg mortise an tenon joints. Not much room for joinery in these thin legs.
Here is the hinge assembly and an X-ray orthographic view of the Hinge.
And here is the video:
Tim
http://killenwood.com
Comments
What a cool desk!! I am working on a desk with some similarities and have been worried about how to attach the flat top of the writing slope to the dovetailed box. I am trying not to take any shortcuts and screws seem like a shortcut. How is the original attached and how would you recommend doing it in a reproduction?
McBaugh: The upper sloped flat top is hinged on its upper edge. I will be modeling the upper dovetailed section of the desk including the enclosed pigeon holes and small drawers.
Williamsburg curators are doubtful that the turned posts and upper gallery shelf were original, rather added later. I will not be including this structure in my future modeling. When this is eliminated, the hinged cover on the top dovetailed section can swing upward and rest in a horizontal position on the very top.
Tim
Help please......is there any reason why the video doesn't show up?
I use Google chrome but that shouldn't matter should it?
Thanks
Mumbo7: I don't see an issue with the video. I just tried it from Chrome and it is working fine.
Tim
It appears that you have to be logged in for the video to come up on the page. I was not logged in and it didn't show up despite reading the whole page up to that point.
The moment I logged in--presto! The video showed up immediately.
I Had the same problem using Chrome it didn't show up until I logged in
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