(part 1). Since I last worked on the desk, I realized I had to figure out how to attach the horizontal braces to the legs. I hadn’t really done much carpentry before so the obvious choice – lap joints – didn’t occur to me and it too my sister suggesting them before I realized it was the obvious choice. Anyhow, here’s how that looks in CAD:

From measurements I took in CAD, I decided I needed:

• 6 – 2x4s (8′)
• 2 – 4x4s (8′)
• 1 – 1×12 (8′)
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood (4’x8′)
• drywall screws (2″)
• drywall screws (1 5/8″)

I also needed a chisel set but I’m not factoring that into budget. I ended up getting 1/2″ plywood because 3/4″ was heavier than I imagined and I was hoping that the desk wouldn’t be too unpleasant to move. I also ended up getting pt 4x4s since the untreated cedar ones were too expensive for what I wanted ($17 for 8′ sections). All told, it came to $125 including the $20 (cheap) chisel set I got.

I got right to work putting the desk together.

I hadn’t ever done lap joints before so I was quite proud to have performed my first one.

I quickly realized that I could jump start the lap joints by pre-cutting them on the miter saw and then just finishing them with the chisel.

And then, once I got all the lap joints cut, it didn’t take long to get the ends done and the main table put together.

From here, all I have left to do is

• Cut lumber for the shelf
• Build the shelf
• Put on side of the table – I’m debating this since it’s pretty sturdy as is and I like how open it looks
• Sand table
• Oil table

Next post: (part 3)