I have seen a couple projects for desks or other cabinets with a fall front that is supported by lopers which are drawn out into position as the front is pulled down, and retract as it is raised. “Treasure Chests” by Taunton press (Lon Schleining?) has one such example pictured but with no design details. A back issue of FWW from long ago (and for me, which is currently in storage and inaccessible) has another, maybe with plans or design. Since I can’t unpack the storage locker to find my back issue, can anyone point me to a source for some tips on how these are built? I am trying to design a cabinet akin to the one in Schleining’s book and that front has me stumped.
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Replies
Anon,
Encyclopedia of Furniture Making - Ernest Joyce has an illustration of a design on page 258. It uses two bars to push the writing surface out as the lid is opened. It's a design for a cylinder fall secretary but maybe you could adapt for your purposes.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Anon,
I'm guessing that if you look at Rockler, or Van Dyke Restorers catalogs, you might find the hardware you are looking for. I't'll have installation directions, I betcha.
Ray
Thanks to both of you. I had actually not thought of looking for hardware. I've been set on doing it the hard way with all wood. It sounds like the encyclopedia has what I need. And I better also consider a hardware shortcut.
The illustration in the Encyclopedia shows the mechanism for a cylinder fall secretarie but might be adaptable. Failing that, Rays suggestion might be a better source.
I was on Van Dykes WEBsite but couldn't find the hardware. Was in a bit of a hurry so wasn't that thorough. Let us know what you find, eh? A cylinder fall is on me drawin board.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 1/13/2009 12:49 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
Anon,
Tha only "automatic" lopers I've seen have been the modern hah, for me, from the 1950's or thereabouts ones with the brass (plated mostly) jointed linkages.
I did have a Victorian era English desk in the shop a while back that had a forged iron scissors type linkage under the writing surface that advanced the whole writing area as the fall lid was lowered, and retracted it when the lid was raised. It, of course was disabled when it came into the shop, and getting it back in working order was a right royal pain. There was a reason it had been disabled :-(
Ray
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