Desktop Organiser Video Series

We filmed this short series a few weeks ago and it is a free project for you to watch and learn from. Here is the link for the brief introduction: woodworkingmasterclasses.com.

Smaller projects like this one really help to reinforce our skills and that is because of the close proximity of shoulder lines, joint sizing, tightness of components and so on. Good sharp tools are key to accuracy and that starts with the pencil and the knife to establish the exactness other tools need to follow on.

For my first version of this two or more decades ago I used Eastern white pine in the USA. That's where I was living at the time. For the one above and the one in the video series I used a skip-wood find (skip-wood is not a species) of Meranti to recycle what was meant for the landfill. Meranti is a Southeast Asian hardwood of world-wide commercial value, mostly as a veneer for making the layers and facings in plywood and then door facings for hollow-core doors too. It's also used for mouldings in solid wood and low-cost furniture and woodwork. 

That said, I did find it really pleasing to work with using hand tools and the overall look was just as pleasing. I would encourage anyone to make this project if their aim is to keep developing their woodworking skills. It may not be as impressive as a four-poster bed or an entertainment centre, but it does look pretty nice on a desk or a workbench and it's especially useful for stuff that is difficult to house elsewhere without getting lost.