News

Notes from a small workshop

Ben Plewes | Dec 4, 2008

We recently kicked off a new series in Good Woodworking magazine (issue 208) called Notes from a small workshop. The series started with a look at my basement workshop and how best to get around many of the problems found in small workshops. We’ve also featured a good number of pictures and comments from GetWoodworking.com members which has transformed the articles from a one way dialogue to a much more interesting and inclusive read.

In all honesty Notes is an experimental series. We’re trying a new format that will hopefully be more involving than a straightforward set of ‘how to’ articles. The bit I’m really excited about is its all inclusiveness – the more input we have from you, the readers of Good Woodworking and members of GetWoodworking.com, the better the series will be.

So here’s the plan so far; in every issue of Good Woodworking magazine you’ll find the latest installment of Notes. Each issue will flow from one to the next showing pictures of project progress and ideas for future projects and workshop solutions. I’ll be making furniture but including you right from the very first sketch. In between GWW issues there will be time to get involved and have your say online. And, it couldn’t be easier to get involved. Each month I’ll post a news article, just like this one, with a quick rundown of how things are going in the workshop and what I’ll be up to in the coming weeks. To get involved simply post in the related forum thread or add your images to the linked photo gallery.

So here’s a quick rundown of my next project, a contemporary computer desk.

Above: A quick sketch to get the basic design down. A groove at the back allows cables to be kept tidy while the addition of a concealed shelf underneath the desk provides storage for external disk drives and extra structural support.

I modeled the first design in TurboCAD. I'm banking on the through dovetail joints providing enough rigidity to hold everything together well enough! This structural approach means a traditional under-frame won't be necessary.

I've beveled the front side and top edges to give the desks edges a fine feel.

The mk2 design builds on the first design. It'll still be dovetailed even though I've not shown the joints in the model. I've added some curvature to the front edges too.