Rolltop Desk Build – The Reveal
Five months to the day! They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. On February 20, I took the first step in building my dream project by cutting the first…
Articles by Randy Sharp
Rolltop Desk Build – Fuming
With the construction finished, it’s time to begin the finishing process. In today’s woodshops, most projects are stained or dyed to a desired color. For example, most of the furniture in my home is made from red…
Rolltop Desk Build Part 10
We’re winding down the construction phase of the Rolltop Desk! Most woodworkers agree that building a piece of furniture is just half of the job. The other half is finishing the piece. In the case…
Rolltop Desk Build Part 9
With the tambour complete, I turned my attention to the cubby hole section. This assembly makes up the small individual compartments for storing letters, files and miscellaneous items. The assembly is made up of several…
Rolltop Desk Build Part 8
The tambour is complete! After cutting the 29 individual slats necessary for a flexible tambour that would ride in the curved side slots, I began by building a jig to make sure they would align with each…
Rolltop Desk Build Part 7
This is a milestone for this project! I spent the weekend gluing up the parts for the sides of the top section of the desk. Then I cut grooves that will accept the tambour and the…
A Sawdust Inn Giveaway!
UPDATE! Congratulations to Tammy Annette! Tammy’s name was randomly chosen to receive the beautiful Bloodwood cross from the Sawdust Inn. Thanks to all who liked, shared and commented on this rewarding project. Watch for another…
Rolltop Desk Build Part 6
I had a couple of hours to spend in the shop on Sunday afternoon, so I decided to do a little work on the tambour. The tambour is the flexible, rolling cover part of the…
Third time is a charm
All woodworkers, even those with years of experience, make mistakes…sometimes costly mistakes. One of the most common errors is cutting a board too short. That’s why the old saying is oft repeated – “measure twice,…
My mother gets her grandfather clock
As the oldest son of a mother raising four young children by herself on a waitress’ salary, it was not unusual for us to sit around and wish for things we’d like to have. The Salvation Army…