Danish Modern Desk with Tim Rousseau

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

You can now download a full-size PDF plan for this project at the Taunton Store.

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

We strive to make the best videos we can, but most importantly, we want to make videos that YOU want us to make. In order to help us do that, we would love to hear your feedback on this video workshop. Click here for a really quick survey.

Start Watching

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

Get It All!

UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

Subscribe to Fine Woodworking

Save up to 56%

About Video Workshops

Watch our experts build a piece of furniture step-by-step on video and download a detailed project plan so you can build along.

If you're looking for a new woodworking project, try one of our video workshops. These are complete, online courses taught by some of the best woodworkers in the country, and include companion articles, project plans, and step-by-step video instruction.

View All Video Workshops