Mixing oil & wood? Sure, it works!

[Alaskan_TA]

I picked up a very heavy duty old oak roll top desk last week, it shows signs of long use. I was asked if I was going to restore it & my answer was - 'No, I like the patina & scars, I will preserve it instead.'

It is amazing what a rag with some oil stain in the same hue can do within minutes, but I knew that. I started with the most worn area, the writing surface, shown here half way through;

 

[Alaskan_TA]

After a complete oil rub & parking a few of my favorite aircraft for the night;

 

[Alaskan_TA]

I have not done the chair yet, I'll give it a wipe down in a day or two along with a second coat to the large writing surface since it showed the most wear.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I love old roll tops. That's really nice!

 

[toolmanmike]

Yep, That's a dandy! Nice work. Quarter sawn oak top. Nice

 

[Alaskan_TA]

I love the look of quarter sawn oak, hidden 'light' flowing through wood.

 

[R4Sedan]

I've always liked those too. Nice score.

 

[Alaskan_TA]

When I first saw this desk in person & pulled these drawers out, they seemed to be a good design for holding tickets. I asked the seller if he knew if it had come from a local railway & he did not know. I just googled 'railroad roll top desk' & some similar examples popped up.

 

[67Dart273]

Cool!! I have no room for stuff like that

 

[Alaskan_TA]

I barely do, I had to remove one outside door & one inner door from the hinges just to get it in the house! It is quite big for a desk.

With its possible Rail Road heritage in mind............