Independence Day project with hardware, Thos. Jefferson's lap desk

Tutorials
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Been working on this for a while now (What are some of your go-to inspiration galleries, sites, blogs for projects? - #2 by WillAdams), and set myself a hard deadline to at least share the beginnings of it.

The Smithsonian has a page on it:

as does Monticello:

and there is at least one book:

(my copy is not signed, though I remember reading a number of this author’s works when I was younger, and I feel a special connection to Thos. Jefferson since I grew up down the road from a home which he had designed, often going there for summer parties and so forth)

and of course, many web pages including:

which has a link to a PDF from Fine Woodworking Magazine:

which has been made freely available — I suspect because the hinges are no long readily available (see below)

Started by drawing up/modeling the hardware:

(choice of finishes)

I selected the antiqued option to match:

but it has since more than doubled in price since I started, so picked up:

For hinges, intially chose:

but not wild about them.

Have been considering:

(and the manufacturer when contacted was kind enough to share a drawing showing the modification needed to allow opening to 180 degrees)

and there is also:

which looks far more reasonable price-wise since the price-hike of the afore-mentioned lock.

Another option of course, is to just make the hardware — that may happen for a future implementation.

Modeled the hardware:

Hinges:

https://www.blockscad3d.com/community/projects/1517082

https://www.blockscad3d.com/community/projects/1421975

Handle:

https://www.blockscad3d.com/community/projects/1517090

Lock:

https://www.blockscad3d.com/community/projects/1517089

(dismantling one and modeling the actual mechanism seems a rather obvious thing to do)

as well as the project as a whole:

https://www.blockscad3d.com/community/projects/1478506

I’ve got the drawer pretty much cut and assembled (aside from a small issue with a sub-divider) so will be working through those issues and putting up files as I re-cut things, and re-work for the various options of hardware.

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Carbide Create files will be uploaded as parts are re-cut and fit is verified — using Bamboo and Richlite, but any suitable materials may be used.

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Happy Independence Day :sparkler:

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Looking very much forward to seeing your progress on it! Happy Independence Day :us:

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Well, maybe I’ll make it for this coming Independence Day.

I believe these hinges will work:

Note that you’ll want the 2" x 1 1/4":

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and the above links from Woodcraft seem to still be working and there is a discount code, “HEART26” which nets one 14% off a purchase (which worked for the 3 pairs of the above which I ordered and hope will fit — if they don’t, guess I’ll be making hinges or ordering from England).

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greg desk
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I originally started making this for my pastor son, but turned out he wanted one to stand up to so I added legs. Top folds up and drawer, hidden, in front. All Cherry.

Not the same, but did bring back memories for days gone by.

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The newly arrived hinges:

https://www.blockscad3d.com/community/projects/2079245

Next up is measuring the drawer and creating the box to hold it and modeling the brass plate for the catch and working out how thick things need to be for the recess for it.

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And, it seems I need to buy another book:

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