Bilbo's writing desk build 1:1 from LOTR

[afolgas]

Thank you!

I found a fellow woodworker who was selling plans here:

Hobbit Writing Desk Plans — bearkatwood.com

I made a few modifications to get a bit closer to the LOTR version of the desk as the plans were based upon the one in the Hobbit movies.

I designed and built the bookstand and chair myself to fit with the desk.

Hi friend,

thank you very much for your answers, I also intend to build the one of LOTR.

 

[nevermouse]

When I had seen that a carpenter had been commissioned and built Bilbo's desk I was instantly intrigued. Luckily enough he decided to offer plans which you can still find here.
BearKat Wood – All about woodworking.
I purchased them, but moved and the project was put on hold for about 4 years. I finally found the time and desire to give this a go.
Upon doing some further research (as we all do here) I found that there are 2 different desks, one for LOTR and another for the Hobbit. You can see some of the differences here, such as the height, the opening on the writing surface, pen holder, knob size, etc.
View attachment 1498415
View attachment 1498416
As the plans that I purchased were for the Hobbit version and I prefer the LOTR version, I went over everything and started making adjustments. I also made a quick mock-up with some foam core as I thought the height was a little low and my legs would hit sitting in a chair. I did find a chair that was fairly similar on craigslist.
View attachment 1498417
I decided to make it out of clear Alder as I thought the grain was a decent match with this other reference photo I found.
View attachment 1498418
I started with making templates for the feet, the top one was similar that came with the plans, but after talking with another desk builder I decided on the bottom ones.
View attachment 1498419
The feet were cut out and then mortise and tenon onto the legs using a router. After these were glued up the beading was routed in.
View attachment 1498420
View attachment 1498421
Mortises were put in for the tressel style stretcher before the upper side pieces were attached.
View attachment 1498422
I also assembled the 3 panel back piece.
View attachment 1498423
The stretcher was made to fit the mortises and chamfer added.
View attachment 1498424
And a dry assembly with the inside panel.
View attachment 1498425
Started working on the drawer compartments and the top.
View attachment 1498426
After the case assembly was glued up I could start to work on the drawers and the theater rail on the top and the main writing surface.
View attachment 1498427
Drawers were made with a locking dovetail joint and glued up. Plenty strong for these little drawers.
View attachment 1498428
View attachment 1498429
Next was to work on the pen holder, drilled out on the drill press and cut with the bandsaw, lots of sanding. Made a router template for the leather and metal trim to be recessed in.
View attachment 1498430
It took me 3 days and many failed attempts to make these little knobs on the lathe. Made each one separately with a threaded insert inside for the screw to attach.
View attachment 1498431
Made the decorative metal pieces for the side from 1/16 thick sheet metal and the trim from 1/2 x 1/8 mild steel flat bar. Just about completed, need to fit the hinges and decide on the components for the inside (which is never seen).
View attachment 1498432
As I racked my brain trying to decide what to do for the inside, I decided to work on the bookstand as I would want to stain and finish all the pieces together anyway. Here is the beginning of the base. I had to make this one up entirely from the screen captures and relative measurements as I had no formal plans to go off of. The only way I could come up with doing this was to make it in 4 seperate pieces, mitered together so that each side could be routed.
View attachment 1498433
View attachment 1498434

I'd really like to make this as a dollhouse sized (1:12 scale) replica but the link you included no longer has the plans. would you be able to share the dimensions of the desk so I could calculate the right size for me? thanks.

 

[N2darkness]

I'd really like to make this as a dollhouse sized (1:12 scale) replica but the link you included no longer has the plans. would you be able to share the dimensions of the desk so I could calculate the right size for me? thanks.

Here is a link to the plans.

Roughly 37" wide, 47" high and 24.5" deep.

Hobbit Writing Desk Plans — bearkatwood.com

 

[N2darkness]

How it looks today. Still just as happy and amazed that I made this thing into reality.

 

[EmmaInCandyland]

This is seriously so stunning!

 

[signus]

When I had seen that a carpenter had been commissioned and built Bilbo's desk I was instantly intrigued. Luckily enough he decided to offer plans which you can still find here.
BearKat Wood – All about woodworking.
I purchased them, but moved and the project was put on hold for about 4 years. I finally found the time and desire to give this a go.
Upon doing some further research (as we all do here) I found that there are 2 different desks, one for LOTR and another for the Hobbit. You can see some of the differences here, such as the height, the opening on the writing surface, pen holder, knob size, etc.
View attachment 1498415
View attachment 1498416
As the plans that I purchased were for the Hobbit version and I prefer the LOTR version, I went over everything and started making adjustments. I also made a quick mock-up with some foam core as I thought the height was a little low and my legs would hit sitting in a chair. I did find a chair that was fairly similar on craigslist.
View attachment 1498417
I decided to make it out of clear Alder as I thought the grain was a decent match with this other reference photo I found.
View attachment 1498418
I started with making templates for the feet, the top one was similar that came with the plans, but after talking with another desk builder I decided on the bottom ones.
View attachment 1498419
The feet were cut out and then mortise and tenon onto the legs using a router. After these were glued up the beading was routed in.
View attachment 1498420
View attachment 1498421
Mortises were put in for the tressel style stretcher before the upper side pieces were attached.
View attachment 1498422
I also assembled the 3 panel back piece.
View attachment 1498423
The stretcher was made to fit the mortises and chamfer added.
View attachment 1498424
And a dry assembly with the inside panel.
View attachment 1498425
Started working on the drawer compartments and the top.
View attachment 1498426
After the case assembly was glued up I could start to work on the drawers and the theater rail on the top and the main writing surface.
View attachment 1498427
Drawers were made with a locking dovetail joint and glued up. Plenty strong for these little drawers.
View attachment 1498428
View attachment 1498429
Next was to work on the pen holder, drilled out on the drill press and cut with the bandsaw, lots of sanding. Made a router template for the leather and metal trim to be recessed in.
View attachment 1498430
It took me 3 days and many failed attempts to make these little knobs on the lathe. Made each one separately with a threaded insert inside for the screw to attach.
View attachment 1498431
Made the decorative metal pieces for the side from 1/16 thick sheet metal and the trim from 1/2 x 1/8 mild steel flat bar. Just about completed, need to fit the hinges and decide on the components for the inside (which is never seen).
View attachment 1498432
As I racked my brain trying to decide what to do for the inside, I decided to work on the bookstand as I would want to stain and finish all the pieces together anyway. Here is the beginning of the base. I had to make this one up entirely from the screen captures and relative measurements as I had no formal plans to go off of. The only way I could come up with doing this was to make it in 4 seperate pieces, mitered together so that each side could be routed.
View attachment 1498433
View attachment 1498434

Thank you so much for sharing your work and process with us! Something to aspire to.

I have a few questions if you have time to answer:

1. As you say, these are the designs for The Hobbit desk - do you know if that carpenter was commissioned to essentially just remake the LotR desk, or if they had any involvement with the original? There are so many interesting little choices and I'd love to be able to talk to whoever designed the original.

2. For the original desk, are there any clear shots in the movie of what's under the books on the left hand side of the writing surface? In this version there's the metal... hinges? Do they serve any practical purpose or are they purely decorative? It seems in the Hobbit version, the cutout for lifting the desk is on the right side so that someone could lift the desk without disturbing any stacked pens, but I can't fathom what purpose the left cutout and the metal hinges serve. (that isn't a criticism! I know you're going for accuracy, not use!)

3. Is there a name for this style of desk? I've seen similar secretary desks, but they often have drawers underneath, leaving no room for legs, and the slanted surfaces are meant to be opened up and used as a flat surface.

4. Finally - is there a mechanism to keep the desk propped fully open? Or does it only get opened to retrieve items from, them come back down?

Again, thank you so much for this. This desk has lived in my head for decades and it's incredible being able to see more of it.

 

[N2darkness]

Thank you so much for sharing your work and process with us! Something to aspire to.

I have a few questions if you have time to answer:

1. As you say, these are the designs for The Hobbit desk - do you know if that carpenter was commissioned to essentially just remake the LotR desk, or if they had any involvement with the original? There are so many interesting little choices and I'd love to be able to talk to whoever designed the original.

2. For the original desk, are there any clear shots in the movie of what's under the books on the left hand side of the writing surface? In this version there's the metal... hinges? Do they serve any practical purpose or are they purely decorative? It seems in the Hobbit version, the cutout for lifting the desk is on the right side so that someone could lift the desk without disturbing any stacked pens, but I can't fathom what purpose the left cutout and the metal hinges serve. (that isn't a criticism! I know you're going for accuracy, not use!)

3. Is there a name for this style of desk? I've seen similar secretary desks, but they often have drawers underneath, leaving no room for legs, and the slanted surfaces are meant to be opened up and used as a flat surface.

4. Finally - is there a mechanism to keep the desk propped fully open? Or does it only get opened to retrieve items from, them come back down?

Again, thank you so much for this. This desk has lived in my head for decades and it's incredible being able to see more of it.

#1 The carpenter that was commissioned to make this replica based upon photos from someone who worked on the set of the Hobbit. He had no involvement or contact from anyone of the movie production. Since there were 2 completely different desks made (also in different scales) for each trilogy of movies, I assume there were 2 different carpenters used to make the originals. I don't know for sure or who they maybe.

#2 The only image I've ever seen is the one I have on my first post next to the lectern as there are no scenes in the movie that shows them. The 2 hook type metal pieces "could be" hinged, but I did not make mine that way as it would just add to the complexity to the build for no apparent benefit.


#3 I've looked for different types of antique writing desks and secretaries but never found anything similar. Everything in Bagend including the furniture was designed by John Howe. This is the only sketch I've seen of Bilbo's office.



#4 there may have been one on the original, but have no idea as the inside is never shown and anyone's guess. I added a single trunk type latch to keep mine open as the weight of the lid is too much.

Hopefully that answers some of your questions.