Roller Desk

[Happy73]

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.

[astrid]

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

[Happy73]

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?

[Chikoroll]

light sand back with 320 grit and topcoat of lacquer

[Happy73]

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

[astrid]

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

[Happy73]

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.

[astrid]

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

[seriph1]

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

[hirschybar]

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