Craftsmen of Central Europe created this design for their children years ago. Its classic lines and plentiful storage space meet modern needs, too.

The sturdy unit has room for books, pencils and papers in the deep stor­age shelf underneath the desk top.

Photoi by Mike Bonvino

Place both side panels with front edges together, and mark off shelf, front panel, bottom support.

Mount front panel (F) to shelf (El, holding (F) flush on bottom with (G) and ends as illustrated.

Mount panel and shelf assembly between both side panels (Dl. holding top edges of all parts flush.

Rout pencil troughs 1/4inch wide by 3/16 inch deep, 2 inches apart and 2 inches in from edge.

This bench is actually an old-timer, having been used years ago in Central Europe to inspire children to do their play-drawing, sketching, and their homework during the lower grade-school years.

The ample storage shelf teaches your child to keep things in place, and also re­lieves mother from having to do too much picking up.

The model was built from 3/4-inch birch Weldwood plywood with matching solid wood for cleats. Then it was finished off with Keystone Seat and Pew Varnish.

After cutting out all pieces as shown in the plywood layout chart, mark them for identification. Temporarily tack together the side panels (D) and the seat supports (C), keeping the edges flush. Sand all edges smooth and plane the top and bottom edges straight. Take the pieces apart; mark guide lines for the shelf assembly.

Note that there is also a bottom support (not shown in the drawings), 3/4x6x33 inches, mounted between both side panels (D), flush with the bottom edge and 3 inches from the front edges of (D).

On the outside of panels (D), bore four 1/2-inch holes 5/16, inch deep, then 3/16-inch holes all the way through, for front panel (F); also three holes for the bottom sup­port. On the top (A), bore three similar holes 11/8 inches from each side edge, starting the first hole 13/8 inches from the front and the last hole 5 inches from the back; also bore two holes 21/8 inches from the front and 13 inches from each end.

Turn assembly upside down on desk top and mark All edges of shelf assembly must be planed flush guide lines on bottom surface to insure accuracy. so that working surface (A) can be mounted evenly.

After boring all holes, mount top with glue and 1 1//4-inch No. 3 flathead screws. Make edges flush.

Mount base tie cleats outside seal supports Hush on bottom, with glue, 11/4-inch No. 12 flathead screws.

Mount base tie cleat-seat support assemblies to side panels, cleats extending.

Mount seal and back cleats to seat supports flush in back and snug against both the base tie cleats.

With seat temporarily in place, mark for 3/4x11/2-inch notch with try square. Cut with hand saw.

AU PARTS FROM ONE 3/4"X3'X7 PANEL

In the front panel (F), 3/8 inch from the bottom edge, bore five equally spaced 1/2-inch holes 5/16 inch deep, then 3/16-inch holes all the way through; start 3/4 inch from each end. Next, temporarily tack together two 3/4x11/2x30-inch matching solid wood strips and round the ends to a 13/8-inch radius, quarter-round; drill 1/4-inch countersunk holes, at 21/4, 6, and 93/4 inches from one end, at 21/4 and 83/4 inches from the other end.

Round off the top end of two tacked-together seat back cleats and notch out for back slat (G). Bore 1/4-inch holes, coun­tersunk, at 3/4, 57/8, and 11 inches from the bottom.

On seat (B), l1/8 inches from the sides, bore three holes similar to those in (A); locate the end holes 21/8 inches from the front and back.

On back slat (G) bore two holes 3/8 inch from each end as done previously, starting 3/4inch from the top and bottom edges.

Mount back slat with glue and 11/4 No. 8 flathead screws, holding seat flush with Beat back cleats.

Assemble the desk, using glue and 11/4~ inch No. 8 flathead screws. First mount front panel (F) to shelf (E), holding (F) flush on the bottom with (E) and ends. Fill the holes with matching 1/2-inch long-grain plugs (see page 9).

Mount the shelf assembly between both panels (D), lining up with the guide lines, and then mount top (A). Before mounting (A), all edges of the desk assembly must be flush.

Attach all cleats, with glue and l1/4-inch No. 12 flathead screws. Mount the base tie cleats to seat supports (C), keeping them flush on the bottom and leaving 11/2inches extending in back. Then fasten seat sup­ports (C) to sides (D), leaving the base tie cleats extending. Mount the seat back cleats flush with the back edge of (C) and snug against the base tie cleat.

Put seat (B) in place, and mark it for notches in both back corners. Mount the seat with glue and 11/4-inch No. 8 flathead screws. Mount the long back slat.

Make pencil troughs, using a guide strip with a portable router. If by hand, use a back saw against a guide strip with a 1/4~ inch chisel and ground plane. •

Front Panel Braces Desk Adequately

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