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Thread: Roller Desk

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    4

    Default Roller Desk

    Hi Folks,

    I picked up this desk on a verge pickup last week, in pretty good condition but is missing the front of the top left drawer.



    Couple of questions

    1 - Does anyone know what this desk is called, might help me track down a replacement drawer

    and 2 - while the photo might not suggest it, the timber is looking a little "dry" .. would a rub back with steel wool and a little varnish be the best way to bring it back to life?

    Thanks,
    Happy.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Armadale
    Posts
    887

    Default

    It's a good find, are the fronts dovetailed or stapled on?
    take it to a cabinate maker and ask, the liklihood of getting a replacement draw is 0-0

    Whats it called? looks like a reproduction roll top desk, or if you want posh, a reproduction cutler desk

    Astrid

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by astrid View Post
    It's a good find, are the fronts dovetailed or stapled on?
    take it to a cabinate maker and ask, the liklihood of getting a replacement draw is 0-0

    Whats it called? looks like a reproduction roll top desk, or if you want posh, a reproduction cutler desk

    Astrid
    The front of the drawers are just glued on as far as I can tell. I found a sticker in one of the drawers saying it was made in Belmont in perth but a quick google of the company name says it has stopped trading

    What would be the best way to bring it back up to shine?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    7

    Default

    light sand back with 320 grit and topcoat of lacquer

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Does anyone know a cabinet maker in Perth who might be able to make a replacmeent part ?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Armadale
    Posts
    887

    Default

    Its not a hard job to replace if it's not dovetailed, look in the yellow pages ans take the broken draw and an intact one to any decent cabinate maker.

    Astrid

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    4

    Default

    hehe decent is the operative word I'll do some ringing around and see what I can find - if anyone in Perth has a recommendation please let me know!

    thanks.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Armadale
    Posts
    887

    Default

    It'll be a modern synthetic, try just a rub over with boiled linseed oil that will reduce the scratches. test it on a scratch and see how it goes

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Kilmore, near Melbourne, Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    781

    Default

    These were popular/common in the 1980's - usually made from Pine and made to a fairly low standard - I have always liked them (the originals anyway)

    ---some useless information follows----

    I have been looking for a WOOTON PATENT SECRETARY for many years. I finally bought an horrendous reproduction and will adjust/modify/remake it one day unless I can find an 'affordable' original. The best examples of the Wooton's go for hundreds of thousands of dollars..... average ones are around $15-$25K US.

    BTW - yours is normally called a Rolltop Desk in Australia or a Cutler Desk in the UK and USA. The slatted or 'roll' top is called a tambour.

    I suggest not bothering to match in a drawer front, even though it's probably possible to get a 'fair' match - It would be easier to make a pair of contrasting drawer fronts, one for the top drawer on each side, then add a few trim pieces somewhere in the same material so it looks like it was always meant to be that way ..... being in WA, Jarrah would look nice I think..... just a thought
    Steve
    Kilmore (Melbourne-ish)
    Australia

    ....catchy phrase here

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    California US
    Posts
    1

    Thumbs down Re: Wooton Reproduction Desk?

    Hello,
    Saw the posting for the reproduction Wooton / Wooten desks -- can anyone point me in the direction of these as the 25,000 price tag is also currently out of my range...
    Thanks,
    Steve

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