Simple Desk

Step 6: Routing

Now we(I) give the edges of the desk a nice curved edge. The rounded edge serves 2 purposes: helps mask any imperfections in the curve and reduces/eliminates pain from resting your wrists on the edge of the desk.

I used a bit the same shape as this one http://j.mp/9C7PCX however it was only 7/8" instead of 1¼". You could of course use any other decorative shaped edge.

With this standard roundover style, you need to make sure that your routers depth is set to be less than the amount that would leave the bead(the flat part on the left of the bit pictured) so that it makes a smooth transition from desk top to round edge.

Start your cut from the left of the left side(A) of the desk and work your way to the right*(B) side at about an inch a second. If you move too fast you risk making a choppy(bad) cut, too slow you can burn the wood. When you reach the right edge, go past, then resituate your body and continue on down the front side(From B to C). Repeat when you get to the next corner(C). When you get to the end here(D), DO NOT do the same. Continue strait off this edge and pull away. We want to leave the back edge of the desk flat.

A                                      D
|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯|
|                                          |
|                                          |
|_______/¯¯¯\_______|  
B                                    C


*Going the other direction is bad, simple as that. Here, read this: http://www.newwoodworker.com/rtrfeeddir.html