HANDY LINKS About Me All Projects On One Page Business Card Email Me Home Page PROJECT INDEX...A-to-Z Albatross Ash Sphere Bookcase Dovetail Box Gold Dolphins Grandfather Clock Jewelry Store Lacewood Bowl Lacewood Desk Mendocino Vessel Predator Rocking Chair Rolltop Desk Spalted Vase Stagecoach Chest Stopper & Vessel Telephone Table Violin Case Walnut Vase X-ray Devices Ron Renner Geppetto's Woodworks Vancouver, Washington 360-606-2949
		I had been looking for a rolltop desk for some time. I just like all of the pockets and drawers. The only ones I knew of were five-feet long or less. I searched newspapers, the internet, craigslist, ebay...nothing at all what I was looking for. I started calling antique stores locally to see if they knew of any and was finally referred to a small shop in Portland. When I called they told me that they had just within the week gotten a rolltop six-feet long. I told them I’d be leaving immediately. It was the day before Christmas. I remember that. I took one look at the chest, actually measured it to verify its length, and bought it. It was, indeed, six-feet long. The disassembly and stripping process had already been started. ALL of the hardware was there. Unfortunately, the insert with all of the small drawers was dipped into the stripper without pulling the drawers. Things jammed...things broke. I got it home with an assist from my finishing company. The repair and modification process ran into several months. I installed wheels on the two cabinet islands, repaired all of the broken elements, and even replaced the veneer on the writing surface because the previous veneer was installed at an angle to the length of the desk. Every piece of brass was cleaned, polished and lacquered. After the desk was assembled in my study I had glass surfaces cut and edge-polished; they cover the writing surface and the upper shelf area. The rolltop desk was a labor of love (and elbow grease!). I use it daily. It sits proudly in my study. The Christmas story is complete.
					5---One of five groups needing finishing.
					6---Applying color to the writing surface.
			1---Just purchased, now home, mine.
					7---The top section and tambour.
			2---Likely made between 1890 and 1910.
					8---John, my Master Finisher source.
			3---Brass frames, prior to cleaning.
			4---Replacement pencil tray I made.
					9---The finished product in my study. Home...Email...Phone 360-606-2949