Thread: What timber species to use for desk?

Hi Coldamus,

I guess that the answer is "how long is a piece of string?". It all depends on what, if any, other furniture you want to match it to, and how much you want to spend.

I'd certainly say you'll need hardwood. "Reddish or Dark" suggests Red Gum or Jarrah. If you use Red Gum, and assuming that you buy it DAR, don't try and resaw it because there is a big chance you'll find gum pockets.

I've resawn Red Gum rough sawn stock, but have typically lost up to 30% to this, but that 'lost' stock is still ok for non-visible surfaces.

Another good choice would be Blackwood or Swetenia Mahogany.

Have a search on this forum for other pieces of furniture that forumites have made (there's a lot!), and see what you like. Another tack would be to visit a good timber merchant - they'll often have samples to look at.

Coldamus

I think that the timber question really is one of personal taste and is not one where I have strong views.

But there is a design issue with pedestal desks which the old-timers had sussed out. If you are going to use a good hardwood (even if it's not very heavy) it makes a lot of sense to make the desk in three parts that just sit together dry (ie not glued or even joined by dovetails etc).

I have several antique pieces and the universal way of doing them was two pedestals with locating blocks on the top and a desk top (including one row of drawers - often there are three with the LH and RH drawers oriented vertically with the pedastal drawers or door) which sat on top with the edges and rails located by the blocks on the pedestals).

This means that when you move it (as you will have to at some time) you just lift off the top (which is an easy size for carrying) and the take the pedestals to where you want the desk and set the top back on top. Three lighter lifts of pieces that are not awkward to handle as opposed to one lift of something which, no matter how you try will be both heavier and more awkward to move. I can move my large antique desk myself (after cleaning out the drawers) but a modern desk in one piece takes two (who are feeling stron) even tho' the wood in the old desks is much better than that in the new.

BTW I think that this is how Rocker's roll-top works as well.

Then again maybe you could get into a bit of veneering? Use something nondescript on the top and veneer over it for something different?

Just tossing ideas... theres just too many speci to define one that would suit someone else

Cheers!

I'd go for a leather writing surface over a torsion box for the top.

Timber species though has numerous choices
Red Cedar
Rose Gum
Jarrah though its often a bit bland.
Redgum
Blackwood
Huon Pine
Messmate
Tas Oak
Macrocarpra cypress (very similar to Kauri)
etc etc etc

Not real mad on silky oak, the grain is too busy.

Thanks for the input so far. I love the colour of Jarrah and also red gum but the weight had me worried. A slab for the top would be pretty darned heavy on its own. Cedar would be light weight and a nice colour but could I afford it?

Maybe Dingo has the right idea. I notice that Mister Ply and Wood has something called Formica MR MDF in Jarrah and other finishes. $116 for a 2400 x 1200 x 16mm sheet. I assume this is like the Laminex tops you see on school desks etc. Sounds like just the thing for router table tops, by the way.

That would give a durable work surface. If its appearance is not too horrible, I could use it for the desk top. 16mm is too thin but I could support it with another sheet of 16mm or 18mm mdf and frame the lot with real timber. That way, it would not matter too much if the colour of the surface didn't quite match.

Jmk89, I had intended to attach the pedestals with (removable) screws from underneath. However as you point out, there's no need. The top will be heavy enough not to go anywhere, so if I build a frame around the point of attachment of each pedestal in the form of fillets, it will locate the pedestals and fair them into the top. One less chore when moving. Thanks for that.

Another thought. Instead of having individual drawer fronts on one side of the desk and a single door on the system box side, I could have a single door on each side and hidden drawers, as in an armoire. The raised panel doors could be in whatever timber I go with but the drawers could be a lighter weight material.

Echidna, I love leather tops but my desks tend to get a beating (such as when fixing the *%@! computer) but I like your timber suggestions. I did have it in my mind that Jarrah can be bland but then I've seen some in the woodwork pics here that is just beautiful.

regards
Coldamus

I am currently working on exactly the same project. I am using silky oak and Kauri pine for the job.

I can't believe I'm reading that someone has something bad to say about my favorite timber! TOO BUSY??? You call that an insult? Try harder.

Go the Silky!!!

not trying to insult anyone.
just stating my preference