A SMALL DESK.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 93, 1 December 1911, Page 2

A SMALL DESK.

The design for a small desk here described is such that the construction is easy, and may be attempted with confidence by anyone having but ordinary skill in wood-working. If care be taken in cutting the pieces to the right lengths and with square angles, a very satisfactory,, job will result. For these reasons it is thought that many readers who are students in manual training will find the design one which can be utilised by them in thei construction of a useful piece of furniture. Oak is the most suitable wood, although white wood is excellent. The side pieces are 50ins. long, 12 ins. wide, and I in. thick, the curved openings at the bottom being 6ins. high and Sins. wide. Have these sawed out at the mill, sending a drawing with the order. The beval at the top is Sins, each way, or 45deg. The four cross pieces are 24Jins. long, |in. thick ; two 12ins. wide and two lljins. wide. The wider pieces are for the top and bottom pieces, and have fin. rabbets cut on the back inner edge for the backing, which is of Jin., matched stock. Grooves Jin. deep are cut in the side pieces to receive the ends of these crosspieces, the upper piece being Sins, from the top, the second 14-Jins, below the top one ; the third and bottom one are placed lOins. apart, leaving a BJiu. space under the lower shelf.

The drop-shelf is 24ins. long, 14$ins. wide, and will have to he glued up from two pieces. At each end cleats 2ins. wide and fin. thick should be fitted to corresponding rabbets cut on the upper side. These cleats should be carefully fitted, glued up, and kept in clamps until the glue is thoroughly dry. The pockets inside for paper etc., may be made of maple, finished natural to give a contrast, or of oak stained, as preferred. The wood needed is fin. thick, and IQins. wide. Two pieces 23Jins. long, two pieces 9ins. long, two pieces 6fins., and two pieces Gins, long are needed. The two end pieces should be nailed to the ends of the cross-pieces, the other two vertical pieces are then nailed in place after nailing to them the ends ,of the two short shelves, the other ends of the latter then being nailed through the end pieces. This frame is then attached to the desk with screws put through from the in.side. It may also be supported by a 4in. square strip screwed to the backing when the latter is in place. The backing should be in strips 364ins. long, and enough is needed for a width of 24ins., and is nailed on with small nails.

The drop leaf ia attached with ornamental T hunges of brass or black iron, as may be most conveniently obtained, and also with suitable side chains, as shown in the illustration. A lock is fitted to the outer edge. Stop blocks are glued to the inside upper corners of the case to hold the drop leaf flush when same is lifted.