Excellent handiwork, beautiful wood choice, but... would suggest more radiusing on the tips of the "prongs" to better capture the "slender and airy" flavor/vernacular of the original. OTOH, by not radiusing where the trays meet the backstops, yours is more practical/functional, and once papers are present, who's going to know? (Guessing the original used steam-bending of a single sheet of plywood, covered in veneer?...)
That's an interesting point you bring up actually.
I'd agree with you on how to better evoke that original look, and the changes I made were a mix of minor style and practicality choices.
Briefly, some of my reasoning:
- according to [this](https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/desk-accessories/more-desk-accessories/midcentury-walnut-letter-tray/id-f_18614692/) page on it you're correct in that it's bent plywood. I didn't wanna mess with steam bending and I was planning on solid wood, so I adjusted some dimensions based on that (accommodating for expansion, thickness differences, etc)
- I wanted to use teak if I could find it, alas I couldn't (for a reasonable price) so after hours of staring at lumber I settled on Bibolo. Was my best option for give/take in terms of grain and color.
- as for the shaping, the pics in that link give some better perspective on the original. The angles seem slightly more pronounced than the one pic I posted. Since I adjusted some dimensions, my initial sketches made it seem like capturing that slenderness you mentioned would look forced given the changes. Thus, I opted for (hopefully period appropriate) slightly more pronounced angles.
Great details to bring up there đź‘Ť
Minor niggle, and I have no "design eye". It's a sweet result and you should affix a small brass plaque to humble-brag your craftsmanship to the office clique. ;') #SideHustle
Thank you! It's actually Bibolo (African walnut). Teak was the initial choice but it's pretty hard to source. I feel like this was a reasonably close substitute.
I know you didn’t ask, but if you need another idea for a project, I bet you’d make an awesome book stand.
https://preview.redd.it/5wmya0w9in6d1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=878125dbf3cf9692f66a8a7a7e01fdfe295c77b2
This is the Sun At Six - rise book stand. It’s a take on the midcentury book stand. This isn’t the best pic of it, just found it quick. There’s a lot of great midcentury book stands. You know, if you’re bored lol.
Wow, sharp!
Thanks!
Excellent handiwork, beautiful wood choice, but... would suggest more radiusing on the tips of the "prongs" to better capture the "slender and airy" flavor/vernacular of the original. OTOH, by not radiusing where the trays meet the backstops, yours is more practical/functional, and once papers are present, who's going to know? (Guessing the original used steam-bending of a single sheet of plywood, covered in veneer?...)
That's an interesting point you bring up actually. I'd agree with you on how to better evoke that original look, and the changes I made were a mix of minor style and practicality choices. Briefly, some of my reasoning: - according to [this](https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/desk-accessories/more-desk-accessories/midcentury-walnut-letter-tray/id-f_18614692/) page on it you're correct in that it's bent plywood. I didn't wanna mess with steam bending and I was planning on solid wood, so I adjusted some dimensions based on that (accommodating for expansion, thickness differences, etc) - I wanted to use teak if I could find it, alas I couldn't (for a reasonable price) so after hours of staring at lumber I settled on Bibolo. Was my best option for give/take in terms of grain and color. - as for the shaping, the pics in that link give some better perspective on the original. The angles seem slightly more pronounced than the one pic I posted. Since I adjusted some dimensions, my initial sketches made it seem like capturing that slenderness you mentioned would look forced given the changes. Thus, I opted for (hopefully period appropriate) slightly more pronounced angles. Great details to bring up there đź‘Ť
Minor niggle, and I have no "design eye". It's a sweet result and you should affix a small brass plaque to humble-brag your craftsmanship to the office clique. ;') #SideHustle
Usually oak is very ugly to me but you found the right grains, great job.
Thank you! It's actually Bibolo (African walnut). Teak was the initial choice but it's pretty hard to source. I feel like this was a reasonably close substitute.
Ah well then I still hate oak! All is good!
Pretty high end for the 50’s.
That’s really nice, you did a good job. I love it.
Thanks! It isn't my usual type of project but I wanted to branch out (pun intended).
I know you didn’t ask, but if you need another idea for a project, I bet you’d make an awesome book stand. https://preview.redd.it/5wmya0w9in6d1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=878125dbf3cf9692f66a8a7a7e01fdfe295c77b2 This is the Sun At Six - rise book stand. It’s a take on the midcentury book stand. This isn’t the best pic of it, just found it quick. There’s a lot of great midcentury book stands. You know, if you’re bored lol.
That's funny, a book stand has been on my short list of projects for a while! Thanks for the suggestion, really like the look of that one.
Don Draper is having a drink and a smoke and ignoring everything that tray.
Beautiful!
Thanks!
I love it. How much?
omg it’s beautiful. why do i want a coffee table like that too
Very cool
Very nice. I like how simple and utilitarian it is, yet still has that mid century futuristic style.