Small desktop shelves

While I'm working on the all complex loom project and the No5. Jack plane restoration, I got around to finish the pair of desktop shelves to store the kiddos' computer games.

Working with pine got old fast, but having a first shot at staining was interesting. This is the last project that predates getting all of the heavy duty toys.

Stupid heat wave

This is what happens after 2 weeks in the great big
sauna called North-America

That is it, I get to experience the effect of moisture in wood first hand.

My shiny 20" tabletop made of joined pine boards has expanded under the steaming temperature of the last two weeks.

The discrepancy is still less than 1mm, and the shadow exaggerates the effect, but we're apparently in for a few more weeks of this. I am wondering what will happen when the humidity dies out and winter rolls in.

Symmetric Pair of Computer Desks

Detailed view from the left-hand desk

Problem

With this project, I wanted to get started with woodworking while coming up with two computer desks that would fit in our dining-room / computer lab.

• There should be room for 2 computers.
• Maximum of 9'
• Minimal depth of desks.
• Separation of the two workspace as much as possible.
• Must be doable for a beginner with very few tools
• The towers should be underneath, close to each other to share a printer, and protected from kicking.

Design

To meet the problem statement, I came up with the idea of making a pair of IKEA-styl.e symmetric desks. The design is all made of square angles and the joinery is simple. The objective here was to do it precisely so it doesn't look like a DIY project.  I chose Pine as it is cheap, easy to work with (in principle), and available in the correct stock in pre-planned and pre-jointed form from the hardware store. I bought an entry-level Miter Saw and a mid-range plunging router, which were added to a pretty basic set of tools that I already had such as cordless drill and some hand tools.

Of course, my daughter just can't resist
getting in every pictures.

Details: Symmetric Desks

Material: Pine (select and knotty), drawer hardware.

Joinery: Butt joints with dowels. Top surface made of joined boards.

Finish: Water-based Varathane Diamond Finish, satin. Three coats everywhere, except on the tabletop (4 coats), and sanding to 320 grit in between each coats.

Another view