The time line for this project spans quite a few months.  I took some extra hours this weekend to work on the desk.  Some of the steps in the process require more focused time than other steps, and this weekend, getting the main stack sanded, dry-fitted and stained took a commitment.

Sanded Desk Parts

Before committing to sanding the legs, making a decision about the shape of the bottom of the legs needed to be done.  I made a jig for using a pattern router bit, and shaped the bottom of an extra leg that I kept for just such a time.  The original inspiration for this desk used a style that was used on a chair in the Blacker house.  I liked the look in the photos, but after working on my extra leg, I decided that a thicker, straighter bottom would give me the look that I wanted.  This photo shows the sanded parts stacked up, and the square legs.

Dry Fitting the Sanded Parts

After sanding, I assembled the parts without glue to be sure that the dry fit was still looking good.  After working with just pieces for so long, getting them back together is very satisfying.  I placed a piece of plywood behind the drawer stack to obscure the background clutter.

Before Christmas, I learned a technique that worked well for me when I made some gifts for the family.  Before gluing the pieces together, I had applied finish to the parts so that the impact of glue on the bare wood would not cause me any pain.  It worked so well, that I determined to use the same process again this time.   Judy and I visited a supply store in Omaha where we picked a color in a gel stain that we both liked.

Having not used a gel stain before, I went to the Internet to find some tips.  One that I ran across gave me pause.  This tip was familiar to me, but I had never implemented it.  By diluting 3 parts denatured alcohol with 2 parts shellac, the tip promised a nice even stain coverage.  Messing up at this point with some counter-intuitive tip did not excite me, but neither did a bad stain job.  I decided to try it, and it worked marvelously.  A nice extra was that virtually no grain raising occurred, and I lightly sanded the shellac sealer to make it very smooth.

Stained Desk Parts

Applying the stain turned out to be a very easy and satisfying process.  The legs look beautiful with the rays of quarter sawn oak showing on the sides, and the general tone looks warm and rich.

After these dry for about 24 hours, I start applying finish coats.  Then when I put on the glue, there won’t be any blemishes should I get any squeeze out and cleanup will be easy.