FineWoodworking

GET THE MAGAZINE & MORE

Magazine Cover

Save 56% off the magazine newsstand price
Or, get everything with UNLIMITED, including 40+ years of the online archive.

FineWoodworking

Projects and Plans

Ep 1: Danish Modern Desk with Tim Rousseau – Intro

Tim Rousseau’s modern desk might look simple, but a lot goes into making such an elegant piece

By Tim Rousseau Jul 09, 2019

Tim Rousseau’s modern desk might look simple, but a lot goes into making such an elegant piece. While Tim tackles this project with a pro’s perspective using tools found in professional shops, he also draws parallels to tools found in most hobbyist woodshops.

In this workshop, you’ll learn Tim’s techniques for:

Creating accurate templates for pattern routing
Working with curved parts
Accurately creating angled mortise and tenon joinery

Video shot and edited by Jeff Roos and Ben Strano
Produced by Ben Strano

Tim’s original article that he references:

Mining Danish Modern

DECEMBER 3, 2014

Inspiration behind a successful desk design

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.

Videos in the Series

Ep 1: Danish Modern Desk with Tim Rousseau – Intro

July 9, 2019

Tim Rousseau’s modern desk might look simple, but a lot goes into making such an elegant piece
Ep 2: Veneering the Writing Surface

July 9, 2019

Tim demonstrates how he uses thick, shopsawn veneer to create an attractive and durable writing surface
Ep 3a: Making the Routing Templates

July 16, 2019

Tim Rousseau's desk has a lot of curves in it, and just about all of them are routed off of a pattern. In this video, Tim demonstrates how he makes his perfect patterns.
Ep 3b: Pattern Routing the Sides

July 16, 2019

Using the three sleds made in the previous episode, Tim methodically pattern routes the sides in a way that guarantees perfect pieces with no tear out
Ep 3c: Routing Straight Grooves in Curved Parts

July 16, 2019

Tim tackles the groove that will accept the desk top using a router equipped with an edge guide. The difficulty is in finding a reference surface to use as a guide.
Ep 4: Mortises with a Horizontal Mortiser

July 23, 2019

Tim uses his horizontal mortiser to create the leg mortises at what could be a daunting 13º and 1.5º
Ep 5: Angled Tenons on the Tablesaw

July 30, 2019

Tim tackles the angled leg tenons using a fence-mounted tenoning jig and his new friend wedgie!
Ep 6: Tapering and Shaping the Legs

August 6, 2019

In this episode, Tim Rousseau heads over to the tablesaw to taper the legs. Then, it's back to more pattern routing
Ep 7: Mortising The Legs For Stetchers

August 13, 2019

In this episode, Tim creates the stretchers that connect the two side assemblies
Ep 8: Desktop Tongue and Edge Profile

August 20, 2019

In this episode, Tim adds a tenon to the desktop with a tool most often found in pro shops, the shaper
Ep 9: Shaping the Backsplash and Bottom Apron

August 27, 2019

In this episode, Tim Rousseau discusses why he chose the joinery used in his desk, and heads back to the shaper and tablesaw to shape and contour the last of the desk components
Ep 10: Gluing Up the Side Assemblies

September 3, 2019

Tim Rousseau takes on the first glue-up of the modern desk build, covering surface preparation and the custom cauls that make things go smoothly
Ep 11: A Jig-Free Dowel Joint

September 10, 2019

In this episode, Tim completes the desk joinery and dry-fits the entire desk together
Ep 11: Final Glue-Up

September 17, 2019

In the conclusion of the Modern Desk video workshop, things get a little stressful when the glue starts flowing, and the clamps come out

X

X

GET IT ALL!

Get everything we have to offer with an UNLIMITED Membership.

Subscribe to Fine Woodworking

Save up to 56%

About This Video Workshop

Tim Rousseau’s modern desk might look simple, but a lot goes into making such an elegant piece. While Tim tackles this project with a pro’s perspective using tools found in professional shops, he also draws parallels to tools found in most hobbyist woodshops. In this workshop, you'll learn Tim's techniques for: Creating accurate templates for pattern routing Working with curved parts Accurately creating angled mortise and tenon joinery Video shot and edited by Jeff Roos… More about this Video Workshop

Comments

Propsman | Jul 10, 2019 10:13pm | #1
Very excited to watch this series. I've been wanting to build "this" desk ever since I saw the Designer's Notebook article. Thanks folks.
RAL3Wood | Jul 11, 2019 08:21pm | #2
When will you be posting the rest of the series?

FWW Editor

BenStrano | Jul 15, 2019 09:45am | #3
We post one episode a week. Sometimes a set of episodes (91, 9b, 9c)

dwdeis | Jul 20, 2019 05:53am | #4
Are the plans for this desk available?

FWW Editor

BenStrano | Jul 22, 2019 10:39am | #5
They will be soon.

Guy_Boucher | Jul 25, 2019 07:22am | #6
Love this! Great series. Can’t wait for the next episode! Great work Ben!
user-7318628 | Aug 01, 2019 06:08pm | #7
Could you, please, post a link to the original designer article?

FWW Editor

BenStrano | Aug 02, 2019 09:33am | #8
Done

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Up Next

Featured Workshop

Danish Modern Desk with Tim Rousseau

Tim Rousseau’s modern desk might look simple, but a lot goes into making such an elegant piece. While Tim tackles this project with a pro’s perspective using tools found in…

Featured Projects & Plans

Build a Contemporary Sideboard

Chris Gochnour's sideboard combines usefulness, strength, and beauty in a contemporary case piece

Related Stories

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

|
|
|
|
|
|

View More Create Post

An Elegant, Contemporary Desk

An elegant approach to design and joinery
Stand Up to This Desk

Shaker-inspired design is comfortable and practical
Japanese Planes Overview with Andrew Hunter

Learning to use a Japanese plane takes time and dedication, but as Andrew Hunter demonstrates, the reward of the shimmering surface it leaves is well worth it
Ep 10: Gluing Up the Side Assemblies

Tim Rousseau takes on the first glue-up of the modern desk build, covering surface preparation and the custom cauls that make things go smoothly

Become an UNLIMITED member - Get access to everything Fine Woodworking has to offer!

Upgrade to Unlimited

Highlights

Shape Your Skills

when you sign up for our emails

Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking.

Sign Up
Shop Talk Live Podcast

Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community.
Taunton Workshops

In-depth online classes from the experts at Fine Woodworking.
Projects & Plans

Browse our collection of hundreds of quality plans including Shaker furniture, Arts and Crafts pieces, beds, diy plans, chairs, workbenches, tool storage, and more.

View All

View More

Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine

UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership

Fine WoodWorking

Follow

Newsletter

Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

Membership & Magazine

Taunton Network

© 2019 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.