Build Mother's Easy, Low-cost Big Desk

(Page 3 of 3)

June/July 2005
Story by Steve Maxwell. Illustrations by Len Churchill. 
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Interior low-VOC (volatile organic compound) latex paint does a terrific job on this desk — it’s low-odor and fast- drying. You’ll get best results if you lightly sand the surface with 180-grit sandpaper after the first coat has completely dried.

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And there you have it: a solid, spacious desk. Many variations of this project are possible, so don’t be afraid to try out your own ideas on this do-it-yourself desk.

Materials List

- One hollow-core door, 80" x 32" x 1 1/4"
- Four legs, 28" x 3 1/2" x 1 1/2"
- Two long skirts, 74" x 3 1/2" x 1 1/2"
- Two short skirts, 26 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 1 1/2"
- Two side braces, 26 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 3/4"
- One desktop backboard, 76 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"
- Two desktop sideboards, 20" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"
- Eight carriage bolts/flat washers/nuts, 3/8" x 3"
- Eight carriage bolts/flat washers/nuts, 3/8" x 6"
- Eight finishing nails, 1 1/2"
- 10 No. 8 flathead wood screws, 1 1/2"

The pattern for the curved sideboards: Draw a grid of 1-inch squares then use the reference lines to plot the shape of the curve. You also can enlarge this pattern on a copier until it is actual size, and then cut out the curve and mark it onto the sideboards.

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