Project: The J. Peterman Desk

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
edited November 2013 in The Clubhouse
Let me start off by saying that I am a huge fan of the TV show Seinfeld. For some reason, I have always been drawn to the desk that was in J. Peterman’s office, the character played by John O’Hurley. Hence, when it came time to put together my home office I wanted to find a desk / writing table that was similar to the one used in the TV show. I searched through several stores and online outlets and could not find what I was after. The ones that were similar started in price at around $500.00 and were not solid wood. So I decided to make one or at least my rendition of it. I began looking at a place called Re-Store which is a local salvage type place, kind of like a Goodwill for building materials whose proceeds benefit the Habitat for Humanity. There I was able to find a solid wood door that was tongue and groove construction for $60.00. It had a lot of character, complete with rot holes, imperfections, etc. I purchased the door and brought it home and began stripping the several layers of finishes that were on it down to the bare wood. I sanded it down and finished it with some clear polyurethane to preserve the wood look complete with the imperfections. Next, I went down to Lowes and bought their best 2X6 Top Choice lumber to construct the supporting platform and table legs. I planed the edges down for a nice square edge and cut all the lumber to size. I assembled the platform and top and came to the conclusion that the new lumber against the aged top didn’t look quite right. So I researched a few techniques to pre-maturely age the wood to get it to blend a little better. I gave it an acid wash and stained it with a Tea solution and finished it off with several coats of the polyurethane. I have attached some photos of the finished product. Cheers.
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Comments

  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited November 2013
    Cool - I bet that sucker's heavy! Looks like the new wood came out pretty good as a match to the old.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited November 2013
    Nice work. What are you going to use for a chair?
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited November 2013
    Nice work, nap. I assume you are around the Baltimore area? Where abouts is the Re-Store? We've been shopping at a place called the Loading Dock, which is off Rt 40 towards the east side of the city. It's a similar type of store, really get some interesting materials there and for a good price.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited November 2013
    Lookin' good. I like a desk that one can use to pay the bills or rebuild an engine block.
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,201
    edited November 2013
    Looks great!

    I can only assume that your next project will be the Costanza desk, complete with sleeping area, place for your alarm clock, etc.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2013
    Very nicely done!
    DKG999
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited November 2013
    Reminds me of the desk I used to have back in Zanzibar when I was searching for the elusive Zuissi double knit. The local Brit ex-pat would regale me with stories about lost Bu Wanji tribes and how, "Beastly the bloody heat was". We'd have our muddy Wellingtons up on the old weathered desk while Lord Haha blathered on the wireless and Boodles gin sloshed in our tin cups.
    Jolly good show, NAP!
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,427
    edited November 2013
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    Boodles gin sloshed in our tin cups.
    Jolly good show, NAP!

    I knew i like you for some reason:lol:

    Bloody nice jod NAP:wink:
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  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited November 2013
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    Reminds me of the desk I used to have back in Zanzibar when I was searching for the elusive Zuissi double knit. The local Brit ex-pat would regale me with stories about lost Bu Wanji tribes and how, "Beastly the bloody heat was". We'd have our muddy Wellingtons up on the old weathered desk while Lord Haha blathered on the wireless and Boodles gin sloshed in our tin cups.
    Jolly good show, NAP!

    Now, that's good stuff right there! I was wondering what the J. Peterman catalog listing for this might be. Just let me know, Ken, if you'd like me to put in a good word with Elaine on your behalf for a position on the inside. ;-)

    Nice work, nap. Well done!
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  • scottyboy76
    scottyboy76 Posts: 2,905
    edited November 2013
    Anybody see those dumbells, who knew nap was a badass.

    Or were they conveniently left there before the pics were taken?

    Seriously nice work.

    Was the motivation possibly the lingering idea that maybe Ms.Nardo may have scooted her little self up on the bosses desk while she was sitting in for him.

    Would have been good to be the king back then.
    humpty dumpty was pushed
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited November 2013
    Looks great; congrats!
    Jake
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited November 2013
    strider wrote: »
    Nice work, nap. I assume you are around the Baltimore area? Where abouts is the Re-Store? We've been shopping at a place called the Loading Dock, which is off Rt 40 towards the east side of the city. It's a similar type of store, really get some interesting materials there and for a good price.

    There are a few of the Re-Store locations. The one I go to a lot is on Kane Street just off of Eastern Avenue across from the Home Depot. Cheers.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited November 2013
    PSOVLSK wrote: »
    Looks great!

    I can only assume that your next project will be the Costanza desk, complete with sleeping area, place for your alarm clock, etc.

    Hilarious, the Costanza Desk never occurred to me. Cheers.
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited November 2013
    Good work nap, I like the idea of repurpose, win-win all the way around.
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,156
    edited November 2013
    Great job on the desk. Reclaimed lumber is a great value. 60.00 to make this mantle.



    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/asset.php?fid=86898&uid=106910&d=1383867606
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,630
    edited November 2013
    Looks very nice nap.Sturdy & better than some of the garbage ya toss away after 1 year cause it falls apart.
    ..
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