We needed a writing desk for a visiting graduate student, so I decided to build one. This was my first desk project so I wanted to keep it simple.  The top is two pieces of solid mahogany and the rest is maple.  I found a basic plan on the Internet and decided to build it using dowel joints, with three dowels in each joint.  The horizontal boring machine on my Shopsmith helped with precise alignment of the dowel holes.  I cut arches in the stretchers, tapered the legs, and inlayed the drawer front to make it more interesting.  The full-width drawer allows the student to store their laptop and papers.  I finished it with Watco Natural Oil and three coats of water-based Varathane.

Launch Gallery