Old Rolltop Desk

[jyl]

Yes, I know Woodcrafters. So, 100% tung oil, a coat per week, light sanding between coats?

[RKDinOKC]

In the picture it kinda looks like the center drawer has a keyboard tray?

I have an old desk that is similar, but not a roll top. Instead it has bookshelves that go to the ceiling. I have a piece of masonite cut to fit on top of the center drawer to make it a keyboard tray. It's just the right height. The desktop is a little high for comfortable keyboard use. I use the pull outs above the drawers on each side as well. The one on the right for my mouse. Can't imaging using anything else.

The desk used to be much bigger, but remember when I was about 4 my Dad bringing it home, cutting it down, and putting it back together to fit thru the doors and into the house. He recovered the top with masonite. He also built the shelves that sit on the back of the desk. It has been my desk ever since and I am 57 now.

[Charles Freeborn]

Originally Posted by jyl

Yes, I know Woodcrafters. So, 100% tung oil, a coat per week, light sanding between coats?

Just use a scuff pad (Scotchbrite - Red or Grey) between coats. Sanding tends to cause the dust to stick in the grain of open pore woods like Oak. It's usually better to do a coat a month for 6 months or so rather than a coat a day marathon. It gives the finish more time to gas off and harden. Otherwise you're re-dissolving the previous coat with each subsequent.
Way back in the day when finish was French Polish (Shellac) the housekeepers would have a kit along with their cleaning supplies and would refresh tabletops regularly where rings from glasses, etc would "appear".

[jyl]

Wish there was some way to use monitors with this desk. Wife won't let me stand the monitors on the top shelf, or mount them to wall. And monitors won't fit under the tambour, unless they are on a hinge or something to fold flat.

[futurefun]

I have a nice roll top a bit newer & lower mileage currently stored. Also pondered value & possible sale as I may not have room for it until I build my "real house".

[Charles Freeborn]

Originally Posted by jyl

Wish there was some way to use monitors with this desk. Wife won't let me stand the monitors on the top shelf, or mount them to wall. And monitors won't fit under the tambour, unless they are on a hinge or something to fold flat.

Maybe mount a vertical panel to the back of the desk protruding up and put the wall mount on it?

[jyl]

She objects to having visible monitors in the foyer. I'd have to attach a linear lift to the wall so that the monitors disappear down behind the desk when not in use. Which is, I guess, possible.

[island911]

crazy how women seem to know things like that. ...and the requisite amount of superfluous pillows on a properly made bed.

nice desk, btw.

[jyl]

My bed has ten pillows on it. My wife gets mad if I sleep without throwing all but two onto the floor. I've asked why we have the other eight but I stopped asking.

[pavulon]

28 posts in 3 days on an old furniture thread and zilch from tabs. The apocalypse really is nigh.

[Charles Freeborn]

Originally Posted by jyl

She objects to having visible monitors in the foyer. I'd have to attach a linear lift to the wall so that the monitors disappear down behind the desk when not in use. Which is, I guess, possible.

Yes, there are vertical slide mounts. It'll kick the desk out into the room some though. Oh, and don't even get into the pillow fight...

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by pavulon

28 posts in 3 days on an old furniture thread and zilch from tabs. The apocalypse really is nigh.

Furniture, skinny jeans, and spoons. There. It's like chumming the waters. You boyz is gonna need a bigger boat.

[porsche4life]

Nice! My dad has a similar roll top that he bought in the late 70s. Damn thing is built like a tank! Very cool old desks!

[jyl]

Herroberst came over. We found a date on the desk. 5/29/1913. My desk turned 104 years old yesterday!

Owner worked for railroad for 30+ years. Was given his desk to take home upon retirement. Then desk sat in his study for 30 more years until he died at 90. He was right handed, used the right side pull out writing shelf, spilled water or coffee on the right side of the desktop, etc.

I decided to finish with BLO then paste wax. Decided was more in keeping with the age and nature of the desk. Love the smooth feel of paste wax.

Kids have claimed it as their study place. Damn it.

[jyl]

[Scott Douglas]

That is pretty cool.
How did the finish turn out on it?