Roll top desk

[nailgun]

Have any of you guys tackled a roll top desk? I am a woodworking hobbyist with a little above average woodworking skills. My question is am I getting in over my head with a project like this? knowing my limited skills can someone recommend a set of plans I can order off the Internet
Thanks for the help

[bogydave]

Welcome
I haven't built one, but I have an Oak roll top a buddy gave me a few years ago. Some day like you I'd like to build a roll top desk to use it. I have the rolled up "roll top" piece stored somewhere. When you get some ideas & plans post your progress. I'm interested in the radius of the rolltop grove & how to router it in.
Somebody on here I'm sure, can help you out. I'd use google & type in "roll top desk plans" & see what pops up.

[dpmcreations]

Good Morning and Good Luck.. Keep in mind it all depends upon how much of the desk you are going to make yourself. If you are going to purchase the "roll Up part or are you going to make that yourself... Also it really depends upon how detailed and how intricate the desk is going to be... When you are looking for plans, keep in mind to get them from someplace who has good detailed plans... Like one of the big woodworking magazines, wood working supply houses, or everyone's buddy Norm Abram, etc. There is no substitute for a good set of plans or those that you get that are full size and have enough of them there to make copies of everything you need... Good Luck and please keep everybody posted...

[Don]

Hey, nailgun. As far as getting in over your head, I'll answer it this way. Back in the day, a rolltop desks were used as examples of craftsmanship, cabinet making skill, creativity and status. Roll tops were used for many reasons, mainly privacy. Several desks in an office, you could lock yours up when you went home. If you see an original (many reproductions have this as well) there is a curved mail delivery slot in the side so mail could be "delivered" to your desk while you were away. Another use was a place to keep accounts in stores, etc. The books being locked up an secure at the end of the day. So, they evolved in complexity, I've seen roll top desks with more "secret" compartments than obvious ones, that can make them fun.

I've made several "slides" in my time, the term being "tambour" for the roll top portion. This is not an operation for the meek or inexperienced. It involves selecting each peice correctly, having the correct backing, such as a heavy canvas, using proper glues and techniques. The ends have to be machined correctly, the track has to be machined well. There is special locking hardware made exclusively for roll tops.

If you are of average skill you may want to consider a "slant front" desk. You can still show off cubbyhole making skill, have it lockable, and not have the bother of a roll. The added benefit of a slant front is that you have a clear "writing" area every time you open it and they can typically be made "shallower" not taking up as much floorspace. Roll tops can be massive because they have to include the work surface and cubbys all under roof. A slant front, only the cubbies need to be covered, the "slant" is the work surface.

For some reason we have a romantic attachment to roll tops, I don't know why. I've always thought they were ugly (sorry) with the roll down. Most people that I know that have them in their house always leave them open.

Slant fronts have an elegance and clean line of design that can cover many different styles and points in history. Do some research on them and you may find a design that really does it for you. I've always been extremely fond of a slant front secretary, glass doors up top, curved pediment, oxbow front, claw and ball feet - a timeless design. I found an old one in a house and restored it, it was beautiful. The first wife got it in the divorce, crap.

I later built a slant front (I will post a picture) corner cabinet and matching curio for the dining room. This is something that you can't do with a roll top, put it in a corner.

Hopefully there are some ideas here for you.

All the best, Don

[Terry Mac]

Hey a fellow Okie!

Welcome to the site nailgun.

Unlike another member here, and moderator, I won't name names (Don), I think roll tops are gorgeous. I tried to build one many, many years ago, and the more I worked on it, the more it became a four-wheeled cart. I added castors after I finally figured out that I didn't know what the heck I was doing. Time, patience, a good set of plans, and skill are needed for this project; all of which I didn't have then, and mostly still don't have know.

Wish I could help out. If you ever need a four-wheeled cart, let me know, I know how to make those.

Good luck, and let us know how you come out with it.