I feel the urge to build myself a desk but don’t know much about it. I want inexpensive wood that I can treat into appropriate desk material.
maple wood
Comments
ok, basic.
1. build desk
2. sand and wood stain
3.varnish
(oh ya, if you have wood thats going to be out in the weather alot you can use lincete oil, but this stuff smells really bad
*spelling*
Oak, it is a very hard wood that will last. I say treat it real nice and maybe it will build itself.
You can buy the wood already treated..You want to use this if the deck is not under a roof and is exposed to the elements.
After building your deck,stain or cover with a wood preserver.
Your local lumber company should have this or do you have a Lowe’s or Home Depot??
Good luck…
Hello John. Some really “great” answers here above me so I will try something a little different.
What are your woodworking skills and what tools do you own/know how to use?
Most desks are made from hardwoods so they will hold up against time/wear and tear. Oak, Cherry, Ash, Mahogany and even Redwood and Cedar. You would need to check with actual lumber yards for any of these. Home Depot or Loew’s type stores would only carry white pine, some yellow pine and pressure treated.
None of these hardwoods are inexpensive. By that, I can build an Adirondack chair in white pine for about $45 in materials. I recently did one in Cedar as a request. Materials cost me $140. Most times, I build in pine and use appropriate stains and sealants. Polyurethane is excellent and yields a soft yellow tint, which makes pine appear a Golden Oak in color. Naturally, anyone can look at the grain and identify the wood, but it is a nice soft wood that is inexpensive and most people are price shoppers.
The skill levels and tools come into play here due to the intricate work that a desk would need. Routers, shapers, planers, sanders and possibly a small lathe for the legs if that is the design you want.
Your basic question was in how to treat the wood. If you are working in a nice hardwood, the lumber yard will sell you dried wood. Tell them what you are doing and they will give you seasoned wood. If you decide to work in soft pine, it will also be dry when you buy it. You just have to look down the lengths to check for straightness and bows before purchasing.
Other than that, it is just a matter of picking out your basic design of the desk itself. Various sites on the internet have building plans for sale from beginning level through expert. Write them and be honest in your skill levels/tools owned. They will give you honest advice on what to attempt.
Best of luck and I hope you come up with a winning desk. It is a great hobby that I use as a sideline business. Take care
