BURR OAK DAVENPORT PROJECT

BURR OAK DAVENPORT

Below is a follow through of a Burr Oak Davenport, which was made as a commision piece - This shows the construction from start to finish.

The wood for this project is quite unusual and rare being Brown Burr oak. Brown Oak is the result of the Beefsteak mushroom growing on the oak and overtime the tree reacts to its unwanted guest, causing the timber to naturally darken. Quality English Brown Oak is very difficult to get hold of and Burr timber even more elusive.

I have had the timber I am using in store for some time waiting for a project like this one.

The timber is very hard and regular sharpening of the tools is required

This is the flat top surface which will be hinged to the top of the carcase and is edged as shown below with a traditional thumbnail profile.

So the top section of the desk is now looking like this.

The front and rear framed sections are now made and I left them in cramps for the glue to cure when I left the workshop today.

Strong web cramps used to apply even pressure to all the joints.

I also prepared the columns ready for turning, the centre sections were bulked up with burr oak to give added width to the centre of the columns

Busy day to get the main carcase made and complete.

There will be a cupboard on the left hand side and a bank of four drawers on the right.

I also got the door made and cut in ready for hinging.

Columns all turned and a matched pair of turned feet all ready for fitting.

Turned columns all fitted, so the davenport is really starting to look complete.