This is an amazing piece of work by Denis, “The Teenage Woodworker”. Check it out!
This desk is my pride and joy! It’s a serpentine Bow Front writing desk that I built over the summer out of a giant slab of 10/4 x 13” x 9’ ribboned Sapele. That being said the fact that it is built out of one slab is very crucial to this desk. Since it was all on board all of the color as well as the grain matches all over the desk. Examples of this are the top which is book matched out of two pieces as well as the front apron which is a bent lamination with the drawers cut out of the front to maintain the grain flow through the front. The drawers themselves are constructed with hand-cut dovetails. It was difficult to cut them on the curved surface both because of the curve and trying to handle the front to chop out the pins but I got through. It only took about 10 tries to get the front dovetails to look perfect lol. When it came time for finish it was a simple Sherwin Williams pre-cat lacquer. About 4 full coats in total and then rubbed out with a paper bag to get it super smooth. The lacquer really makes this ribboned Sapele shine but not so much that the figure outweighs the curves of the desk. In the end I had a really great time building this project and it is my favorite so far. Now onto the slant front desk!!
Denis is actually trying to sell this piece so that he can purchase wood for his next project. So if you know anyone who might be interested in purchasing it, send me an email and I can connect you with Denis.
It’s kids like you that make me want to puke! I have a hard enough time cutting dovetails on perfectly square stock. You should have video taped the process for cutting those curved dovetails. I would have paid to see that.
Brilliant work!
Simply elegant Denis. I honestly think a piece that nice would be the pinnacle of my work, but I believe you have a very bright future in design and construction in front of you!!
I will have to try the paper bag method for smoothing a finish. I’ve been doing 1200-1500 grit sandpaper and it’s serviceable but not exactly the smoothness I would like.
hey DTharp,
the brown paper bag method works really well. of course the finish has to be pretty smooth off of the gun. but the paper bag is equivalent to about 4000 grit sandpaper so it can take a nice finish and make it even better!
Tasty, looking forward to the slant front desk. Thanks for sharing with TWW Community.
I love the grain continuation in the drawer fronts, looks awesome.
Denis,
First, I’m blown away by the amount of attention paid to the deatails. I cannot find fault with symmetry or proportion. I would love to see the piece in person. Absolutely incredible.
Second, I sincerely hope that you will choose woodworking as a profession. You have obvious talent, a good eye, and an excellent teacher.
Excellent Work!!
Impressive! Well done Denis. I hope you sell this piece soon.
You are truly gifted Denis, I pray to some day have half of your skills!
Suddenly I feel so inadequate…. just kidding, it wasn’t sudden at all… this is too good… seriously, way too good… if I ever built something that nice, I’d have to sell it because it would outclass the rest of my life… amazing…
Simply put Denis… OUTSTANDING!!!!!
How long have you been woodworking? I know some guys that have been at it for years and would be proud to show off a piece that good!
Keep at it!!
Larry Dufault,
ive been woodworking for around 2 to 3 years now. in between school and everything else.
Denis, this is truly an amazing piece ! Your craftmanship really shines and you are a real inspiration to all of us who are no longer teenagers. What do you plan for your 20 and 30s. I am sure we will continue to see and hear terrific things from you for a long time.
Way to go.
really nice piece great job
Jim
I am awed at how well this came out.
You are a true craftsman, I can imagine you becoming the next great furniture maker of our time.
Just Wow… Incredible work. Like the others said, you are amazingly talented (I’m actually jealous…lol).
Keep up the great work, and keep sending your projects to the community.
Dennis,
Impressive. My wife saw that it and said that is a nice desk. I said yeah also it is really hard to make something like that. Neither of us had read Marc’s description of the project. I assumed you were a seasoned craftsman. Imagine my shock when I discovered you were only 12!
Alright,
I was just at your blog and you are not 12, sorry about that! Ok, I just saw your videos and projects, you get even better! You were complaning about the inlay on the stool you made and said you can not stand to look at! You pointed out the problem and I STILL CAN NOT SEE IT! Keep it up! Keep talking to people like Marc and you will go far!
Dang nice work.
Denis,
Wow. Be proud of your pride and joy. Very nicely done. I can’t wait to see what you do next. You have a great future in front of you.
That is an awesome piece. It has a great curve to it.
Very inspiring! Beautiful.
Wow!!
Thanks for the comments everyone this means alot!! and just for anyone who was wondering i’m 16 at the moment and turn 17 in July.
Wow. I really do like that curve. Well done!
This reminds me of when I started skiing and after a particular spectacular fall some kid skied up to me (spraying me with fresh powder) and asked “You OK mister?”
GREAT piece! I hope I have as tight a learning curve as you’ve shown!!
That is a simply beautiful piece of work. Very good job!!! I was wondering if this came from a set of plans that were downloaded or from a magazine. If so, which one? I would love to build this for my house. Good job again and keep up the good work…
hey Eddie. there were no plans to begin with i just kinda drew it up. but ive seen the serpentine shape before and its a simple desk just with a curved front.
Beautiful table Denis. I bet cutting the dovetails on the curved drawer front was a pain.
You are a credit to your generation. Not only do you have talent, you are using and refining that talent. You renew my faith in the future. I am looking forward to seeing your next piece.
Very nice job and a lot of fun too I am sure. A number of years ago I built a couple of tables with serpentine aprons and still look back at it as being two of my favorite projects. For me curves are always nice, in furniture and my wife!!
Nate