Writing Shelf Support

The writing shelf requires some support inside the desk.  I also wanted to provide some additional strength to the desk overall, and to the center of the top which will undoubtedly carry most of the weight of items placed on top of the desk.  I placed a 1 and 1/2 inch wide by 2 inch thick piece of oak between two of the aprons, and dovetailed the ends so that it would hold both directions.  The dovetails have blind stops at the bottom so that the support will not slip, and the entire piece needed no screws or nails.

Shelves Laying in Place

This picture shows how the two shelves fit into the space with the interlocking fingers of each extending the length of the shelf by about 2 inches.  The extension provides much needed usage once the shelf clears the overhang of the desk.

I cut bracing with rabbeted slides to tie into the apron and into the center support.  The end that ties into the apron has been dovetailed with a blind stop on the bottom side.  The dovetail locks the two pieces coming together at 90% and holds fast with just glue.

Dovetailed Support

On the outer edge, an L shaped piece will be attached to the apron with screws.  Those screws will be the first in the desk, and I am a little saddened about that.  My wife likes to brag that there are no screws or nails in the desk, but it makes a lot of sense here.

The next steps are to finish getting all the supports in place and then working on the writing shelves.  The shelves are oak, but I plan to use Indian rosewood to face the shelves.  I think this contrast will look nice, and is consistent with other places that I have already used rosewood, or plan to utilize rosewood.