Executive Desk

Marc Spagnuolo

I have always wanted to build a large executive desk. In addition to a large work surface and storage, we'll explore important technological features such as integrated power, charging ports, hidden wireless charging, and active ventilation. So the challenge will be to marry these requirements with our desire to produce a beautiful and elegant desk.

The dimensions will be 70" wide, 34" deep, and 30" high.

24 lessons

317 min

$79.00

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

Here's what we'll cover:

Intro: Design & Materials

A look at the overall design as well as a review of the wood and gadgets we’ll need.
The Legs

The legs are cut from a large piece of 8/4 stock.
The Rails

The rails are strategically laid out and cut. Curves are then added to the lower rails.
Panels Pt. 1

The plywood is cut down for all of the desk’s panels.
Bleaching

Bleach will be used to lighten the color of the cherry panels, providing subtle contrast with the rest of the project.
Panels Pt. 2

The rails are glued onto the panels and the wire gutter access holes are cut into the two inside panels.
Right Pedestal Pt. 1 – Dadoes

The dadoes and grooves are cut into the panels but I wind up having to deal with an epic screwup first.
Right Pedestal Pt. 2 – Leg Joinery

We have a few options for joining our legs to the panels.
Right Pedestal Pt. 3 – Inner Panel Details

The right pedestal comes together with the final panel and rail details.
Left Pedestal & Leg Shaping

The left pedestal gets caught up and the legs take their final shape.
Sub-Assembly & Knock-Down Hardware

Careful sub-assembly will make things easier for us as we install the knock-down
Drawer Construction Pt. 1

How to measure and plan for the drawer boxes when using the Blum Tandem slides.
Drawer Construction Pt. 2

With the drawer details finished off we can do the assembly and install the drawer bottoms.
Drawer Slide Installation

The slides are installed and the drawers boxes are installed.
Drawer Fronts

Sizing and installing the drawer fronts.
Integral Drawer Pull

How to make some cool looking pulls that appear to be part of the drawer front.
Hidden Drawer

A hidden drawer is installed under the left pedestal. Shh… it’s a secret!
The Door

The door is assembled with mortise and tenon joints and a muntin grid-work.
Knife Hinge Installation

The hinges are installed and the door pull is cut and installed.
Stiles, Shelves, & Door Stop

Stiles are added to the panels, shelves are made, and a door stop is installed.
Top & Wire Gutter

The top comes together along with the wire gutter and the clips that secure the top to the base.
Extras

Technology add-ons make this desk a step above the ordinary.
Glass & Backer

The glass is cut and the retainer strips are constructed.
The Finish

The oil/wax finish is applied and the desk is installed.

What will I receive?

Detailed cut list and plans including a PDF and a SketchUp file (Metric and Imperial).
Hours of detailed video instruction (24 videos in total) showing every step of the build.
All videos and plans are digital and will be available for download upon purchase.

What will I learn?

Material selection
Faux frame & panel construction
Mortise & tenon joinery
Knock-down joinery options
Drawer construction
Installation of soft-close drawer slides
Custom sculpted drawer pulls
Cutting curves
Knife hinge installation
Door with muntins
Magnetic Catches
Cable management
Ventillation
Installation of hidden wireless charging
Bleaching wood with wood bleach
Hidden drawer design/construction
Oil/wax finishing

What will I need?

Wood

These are approximate numbers. You’ll want to buy more for waste and grain selection.

7 Board Feet of 8/4 Hardwood
22 Board Feet of 5/4 Hardwood
20 Board Feet of 4/4 Hardwood
10 Board Feet of 4/4 Secondary Hardwood (for drawers)
2 Sheets of 3/4″ Plywood (Primary Species)
1 Sheet of 1/4″ Plywood (Secondary Species)

Tools

Note: This is not a required list of tools. This is simply what I used during the build. Remember, there are always multiple ways to accomplish a task so if you don’t have one or more of these tools, you can very likely still make this project.

Planer/Jointer (alternatives: purchase pre-milled lumber kits or use hand planes)
Tablesaw with a Miter Gauge or sled
Dado Stack
Router
Router Table
Bandsaw
Drill
Miter Saw (for rough-cutting lumber)
Random Orbit Sander
Hand Tools – Chisels, Block Plane, Card Scraper, Router plane

Nice to have: Festool Domino, a tracksaw, Festool’s knock-down hardware kit

Bits

Stuff

About Your Instructor:

Marc is a podcaster, video producer, woodworking enthusiast, and author of Hybrid Woodworking and Essential Joinery. He has contributed articles and video content to FineWoodworking.com, Popular Woodworking Magazine, WOOD Magazine, and Woodcraft Magazine. He is also the host of The Wood Whisperer, an instructional woodworking video series that’s been going strong since 2006. He is also one of the hosts of the Wood Talk podcast. He has taught classes at the William Ng School, Marc Adams School, Weekend with Wood, Fine Woodworking Live, as well as at various Rockler and Woodcraft stores. He also speaks periodically at woodworking events like AWFS and IWF.

Executive Desk

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

Here's what we'll cover:

Intro: Design & Materials

The Legs

The Rails

Panels Pt. 1

Bleaching

Panels Pt. 2

Right Pedestal Pt. 1 – Dadoes

Right Pedestal Pt. 2 – Leg Joinery

Right Pedestal Pt. 3 – Inner Panel Details

Left Pedestal & Leg Shaping

Sub-Assembly & Knock-Down Hardware

Drawer Construction Pt. 1

Drawer Construction Pt. 2

Drawer Slide Installation

Drawer Fronts

Integral Drawer Pull

Hidden Drawer

The Door

Knife Hinge Installation

Stiles, Shelves, & Door Stop

Top & Wire Gutter

Extras

Glass & Backer

The Finish

What will I receive?

What will I learn?

What will I need?

Reviews:

About Your Instructor:

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