This project was built and designed by Anthony from Wood Pack DIY, with helpful supervision from his assistant—Bob Barker, the shop dog. The goal was to create a sleek desk for Anthony’s wife, designed to complement her DJ station and feature a continuous-grain waterfall edge for a bold and elegant look.
Like many ambitious projects, this one didn’t go perfectly—and that’s what makes it worth sharing. From design decisions to unexpected errors, the build is full of real-world lessons and creative problem-solving.
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Breaking Down Materials and Getting Started
The build started with preparing the materials for the cabinet box. Anthony began by rough cutting and sizing the panels that would form the desk’s base, which provided a familiar but critical first step.
Every project begins with high hopes, but it’s also where the potential for mistakes starts to show up. Anthony and Bob Barker took their time in this stage to stay alert for inaccuracies that could throw off the rest of the project.
Constructing the Cabinet Base
The base of the desk was built with practicality in mind. The bottom was made flush to accommodate a toe kick, allowing for more interior space in the drawer section.
To strengthen the rear structure, a rabbet joint was used for the back panel. This joint helped increase rigidity and ensured that everything would stay square once the drawers and face frame were added.
Building and Installing the Face Frame
Poplar boards were selected for the face frame, a reliable and easy-to-work material for detailed joinery. Spacer blocks were used to achieve consistent drawer openings before the frame was assembled.
The joints were glued and secured with screws, and a flush trim bit was used to clean up the edges. The result was a sharp, seamless face frame ready to receive the drawer boxes and hardware.
Creating the Toe Kick and Desktop
For the toe kick, Anthony cut 45-degree miters and assembled the pieces like a small box. Painter’s tape came in handy as a clamping solution during glue-up, keeping the angles tight and aligned while drying.
The desktop was made from solid white oak—a stunning hardwood known for its strength and visual appeal. The plan was to create a waterfall edge, which requires perfectly mitered ends to carry the grain pattern down the sides.
Facing the Unexpected
Things took a turn during the glue-up and cutting process. After assembling the desktop panels, Anthony encountered wobble and misaligned cuts that threw off the clean look he was after.
It was a frustrating moment in the shop, but instead of scrapping the idea, Anthony explored his options. With Bob Barker faithfully standing by, he chose to call in backup from a fellow woodworker in the area.
This collaboration not only saved the project but also opened the door to new woodworking friendships and resources—reminding us that asking for help can be one of the smartest moves in the shop.
Regrouping and Finishing the Top
After the rough spots, Anthony proceeded with a second glue-up, this time with the benefit of better tools and extra hands. With careful clamping, the oak boards aligned properly, and the surface was smooth and level after drying.
The finish was a combination of Rubio Monocoat in bourbon and smoke, which gave the wood a rich, modern color. This blended beautifully with the rest of the desk design, highlighting the continuous grain pattern that flows through the mitered edges.
Building Custom Drawers
Once the main structure and top were complete, Anthony moved on to drawer construction. These weren’t ordinary drawers—they had to house files and even a small printer, so interior measurements were critical.
Despite careful planning, mistakes still happened. A few errors in size meant redoing some parts, adding more time to the build. But each correction was part of the learning process, and the final fit was clean and functional.
Assembly, Hardware, and Final Touches
With drawer boxes in place and slides installed, it was time for the finishing steps. Hardware was mounted, final adjustments were made, and the completed desk came together beautifully.
The desk now sits proudly in Anthony’s home, serving not only as a workspace but also as a reminder of what it takes to complete a project like this. Bob Barker likely considers it another successful mission accomplished.
More Than Just a Desk
This build wasn’t just about joinery and finishing—it was about dealing with setbacks, learning from mistakes, and finding new ways to keep going when things don’t go as expected. It’s a great example of how woodworking often mirrors life: you plan, you adapt, and you keep building.
Please support Anthony (and Bob Barker) by visiting their website (he sells awesome plans): https://www.woodpackdiy.com/.