Flipping a Thrift Store School Desk for Profit

Taking a cheap old school desk from the thrift store and turning it into a treasure. Brought to us by Squarespace. For 10% off your first purchase, go to: squarespace.com...
I discovered a neglected old-school desk at a thrift store for a bargain of just $10. I'm going to completely restore it and bring it back to a like-new condition. Using some beautiful locally grown walnut wood, I aim to transform this school desk into a stunning piece of fine furniture that I can then sell. The profits from this sale will be used towards funding our next upcycling project from the thrift store. This has been one of the most enjoyable woodworking projects I've worked on and I'm truly thrilled with the outcome.
Merch, books and plans: makesomething.com
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#woodworking

[@PackerDog1]

I completely understand your statement on being attached to beautiful pieces of wood. I do the same thing. I find myself judging projects as to whether or not they are worthy of such a beautiful piece of wood. They always say that the first step is accepting that you have a problem. 😂

[@kevinfager.]

That’s what she said.

[@david.toeppe]

The cap nuts are much better than a standard nut, but this might be a good spot to try out some Chicago screws.

[@minuteman4199]

I liked the coloured veneer version, although the final version was beautiful as well!!

[@JonathanRansom]

This was a fun video. I'm glad you ditched the first top, but rule #4 doesn't always work out. Turned out beautiful in the end!

[@dburch]

I LOL’d at the dog in your add! Love it and keep doing YOUR thing!

[@robbie6625]

9:15 I might be late to the party, but I really love the Jim Beam bottle to hold the finish.

[@gregdazer8395]

14.7 psi roughly is atmospheric pressure. Another great video.

[@bradleverton3233]

You are very creative, and crack me up, at the same time! Thank you for sharing!

[@sazdab]

....and there it is.......sand in the place........your projects are awesome

[@ifbridges]

LOVE the idea of this series of up-cycling, making a profit, and then investing into something else to up-cycle!

[@alansloas777]

I understand the comment about not destroying the wood. I enjoy the grain the way it is and hate to cut it up.

[@codyclark9348]

"nice and tight, just like your mom" I laughed out loud 😂 earned my sub

[@MrFvasconcellos]

That looks incredible. No notes. A+.

[@justinbanks2380]

9:20 it always makes me smile for some reaon when you get out your finish in the Beam bottle, lol

[@dandavis5832]

Fantastic!!

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful work, Dave! It turned out amazing! Well done!!! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@jerdow]

Love the Picciuto Nch Nch 🤌 Cordially, Jerry

[@rob6850]

The best back-popping tool ever created by mankind.

[@benco804]

The only youtuber I know who can make a sponsor spot funny!

[@EExplores]

Love this new concept. This is a great direction. Also, I love to see your new enthusiasm for your channel. Also a Patreon for Making it. 🤙

[@MakeSomething]

Thank you and thank you! I'm having so much fun doing these!

[@therick0996]

These thrift store videos are so cool!

[@anthonygrey9282]

I love the finished piece David, but I LOVED the more playful top you created. 😊

[@navret1707]

That desk brought back some memories. Note I did NOT say “fond memories”.

[@davidbailey6350]

Nice, Very Nice….! Thanks….

[@billprocter942]

Didn't hate your original desktop. I'd probably would have left it. Your videos are so much fun. Keep up the good work.

[@matthysloedolff]

This video was so fun to watch. Had me chuckling several times like a mad man on my train commute to work. Love your videos, David. Keep it up!

[@MurrayBarton]

Great video thank-you. Your Squarespace add was brilliant.

[@TheMaxwellee]

"Daniel trusts me" - good enough for me hahaha

[@vernsteinbrecker3759]

Looks way better, nice upgrade

[@jimrosson6702]

Turned out beautiful

[@justinbanks2380]

12:33 He's definitely made it big time! Bro has a flying car 🤣😂

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

I enjoy my 15 minutes of make something on a Sunday evening

[@CorbyQ]

I have been looking a school desk for sooooooo long. They are the only thing other than a chiropractor that I could find that could crack my back really really good.

[@MakeSomething]

Yes!!!

[@ddutton0]

Looks great! the memories of school!

[@justinbanks2380]

At 6:16 great way to make a bigger form when you only have smaller tools to make it with!

[@griefman6550]

Sweet project. You should've veneered the cool "S" and a couple of your favorite metal bands into the top, but leaving it for someone else to do with a pocketknife is admirable.

[@Deviant_Designs]

This is the only time I’d follow a man through a forest just to see his wood.

[@McWisdomStudio]

You should write a funky background song and title it, "Still Talkin' "

[@jasonlawver9767]

Dammit. Not only did you get me to watch the ad but I backed it up and made my wife watch it too. Ha ha well done

[@mattlewis3472]

I liked the playful top! Great work as always

[@montgomery.metalworks]

Desk looks great. I like the concept with the sale 💸 upcycle, look forward to seeing it.

[@SuperCacahuete93]

Bonjour, c'est tres beau !

[@GaryOshust]

Woo hoo! Walnut!

[@mynameisAMRA]

UM for the first time in probably years I just watched the ad portion of your video. Hilarious. Nice work.

[@davipip]

For the "molds" you just have to respect the curves (intern and extern), you don't have to remove the exact material. So you do have to cut twice but without removing as mush matter. Doing so will save you some thickness in your mold ;-) Nice Work !

[@MakeSomething]

This makes sense. Thanks!

[@ga5743]

Bee-u-T-full outcome Dave and you didn’t disappoint me……”Sand in the place you live” 👍

[@thethirstybookworm]

I am kicking myself for sleeping-in this morning. That desk could have been mine!

[@thesplinteredfinger]

What a great idea that was David! It turned out beautifully! Can’t we just have some fun?

[@chriszen4128]

Great video as always. My 4 year old twin girls at the same time you said you didn’t like the color top “but I like it”. Kids would love it either way.

[@SteveMaker]

Sand in the place where you live. ......R.E.M - Really Enjoy Making.

[@WinstonWolfe66]

Ooooh, I love curved walnut! Nicely done, David Obviously, Shamy was about Sheldon & Amy 😄

[@FoxwoodCreative]

Great design. I also have this affliction of wanting to keep the boards intact..... It's hard some times.

[@samuelt321]

Love the car backgrounds! 😁

[@JamiesHackShack]

Next time can we get a mini Diresta riding the flying pup Never Ending Story style?

[@karlpopewoodcraft]

Looked lovely all done. Lovely these videos lately.

[@ryanneumann5165]

Please PLEASE put a driving montage in every vid you post forever. 😂

[@CMRWoodworks]

Looks great man!

[@Warshipmodelsunderway]

The way you do your Squarespace ads makes me watch them - they are so fun! Plus, I owe you an apology. I know you have transitioned from how-to videos, but I still end up learning things when I watch your projects. Sorry 😀

[@MakeSomething]

I owe you an apology for not saying I secretly want people to still learn from my videos. Thank you!

[@justinbanks2380]

I can't wait to see the big project, especially if it is what was sitting on the cnc in one part!

[@daifeichu]

I love these upscaling 2nd hand furniture projects. They always turn out really really nice. Good job. One thing though. I think it would have been cool to put the "Shamy" name on it somewhere.

[@tysonkoehn1]

When you were driving at the speed of sound in reverse, i about spit my coffee out 😂

[@supadeluxe]

Needs some chewing gum underneath it!

[@jamesdewald339]

Would be cool to put a few globs of different colored epoxy underneath to replicate chewing gum!

[@kevinboas6607]

I just got gifted a stack of restaurant table tops. My gawd the gum and the boogers!

[@lisag2771]

@@jamesdewald339 I rehab one of these and it definitely had gum under it. 😂

[@justinbanks2380]

11:53 where the scenery is going the wrong way 😂

[@bendingsands87]

Someone should have called The Backyard Scientist. He has the perfect machine to replace that soda blaster😁. It involves a laser.

[@Goalsplus]

Fantastic original design. Nice restoration.

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video. Can't believe you got that for only $10. It's gorgeous. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@vernhart]

Great job! It’s missing the pencil groove! Actually, I noticed the original desktop doesn’t have one either. It’s probably not the original desktop.

[@justinbanks2380]

If you're confused... Live with it. 😂 But great tip on how to create forms, I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one who had to learn that the hard way

[@jackleg693]

Another brilliant video! You really look like you’re having fun with these projects and that comes across so well. Thank you for sharing and making me laugh

[@cheryltaylor107]

That came out beautifully wish i had something that only looked that amazing to sit on back in the day ❤

[@igorchichkin509]

WoW 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤love it awesome work 😊😊😊😊

[@justinbanks2380]

Lol, glad I'm not the only one who uses the bottom of a battery on a drill as a hammer from time to time, 😂

[@johnk6206]

David vs the world!

[@TheIshter86]

“If you are confused, just live with it” -DP 4:04

[@pooterball]

Dude, I love your videos….like your mom.

[@jamesmosley7794]

Dale. Good job of making him cut mid statement.

[@josephawatson]

I love the merch ideas and as always love your snark :)

[@BoatswainHiggs]

Could've made an epoxy river top. Those might become popular...

[@jameshogue2007]

A removable replaceable gum card on the bottom would have been very cool

[@BenNawrath]

Acorn nuts!

[@TheHomeMaker1]

I’m the same I have so much domestic and exotic hardwood in the shop right now like 10 wall shelves full and it’s all like 6’ - 10’ long and all at least 6” wide and I just keep buying more and saving it lol

[@WiredWorkshop]

Amazing video as always man, the desk came out great!

[@negotiableaffections]

I miss heard Dan, when he said, "Making your own ply - wood," I thought he said Fire-wood. I had to rewind! Beautiful project though. The Classic top in walnut is superb - the 'jazzy' top was merely distracting and it is, after all, a study desk.

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Awesome

[@sgsax]

Sometimes the whimsey works and sometimes it doesn't. Maybe a geometric pattern would have worked better? A lovely little upcycle project, and fun too! Green screen car ride is my new favorite feature. Just liike your mom. 😂 Thanks for sharing!

[@ronald8792]

Im in the middle of restoring an old school desk myself, its been fun, relaxing, frustrating, challenging and expensive. If you think you can learn from sitting in a desk try restoration one, ive learned not to use paint stripper ever again.

[@CorbyQ]

As much as I love the projects and watching them being built. I think my favorite part is that we say the "your mom" jokes at the exact same time.

[@lucasjw]

Flying dog going backward! And I thought it was just going to be another drive and dish (which is, honestly, pretty impressive itself). Best sponsor spot since Steve Ramsay’s Grr-ripper series, and yours is, like, 20 times longer!

[@The1withlogic]

Made me laugh so hard “I sound like one of those….”

[@anncranwell3046]

Now I have to see what is behind the wall

[@velocelt]

"Tight, like your mo**" (insert spit-take gif). I dig the idea of one-off projects and a big ongoing project. It's like a TV series right? You got your one-off episodes, but in the background of each one you have the bigger season-long story arc. Will there be drama? There better be drama. And pounding some pegs, like your mo**.

[@MakeSomething]

😁

[@JoshuaRes]

Vacuum bag is the way to go for larger forms like that. When I made something similar I used MDF ribs that I cut using a pattern bit in a router table and then covered those ribs with a sheet of flexible plywood… if that makes any sense!

[@SteveMaker]

Hi David, I like this one a lot, have to admit, not so keen on the paint colour but I really liked how you re made the wooden parts. Yeah ..... pretty good! I think you're alright mate 👍👍👍

[@HescottDesignCo]

Cool project!!! Came out great! Some graffiti on that back brick wall would look cool in your background!!! Kinda fit your colorful vibe too!!! Love your work man 👊🏼

[@markboomershine5072]

Thought that was Falcor the Luck Dragon when you were driving

[@diyflightsim4246]

The desk turned out cool. We have one like it in our tree house for the kids. I would also Like to know more about the car!

[@ronniestanley75]

I was always partial to carving either the Danzig logo or the Misfits. A wad of colored resin would've made a nice artificial gum wad.

[@MakeSomething]

Even though I wasn't the biggest Def Leppard fan it always looked good as a carving.

[@l-bowstudio]

Needs more sap wood! Just kidding, another great video!!

[@MakeSomething]

😁

[@DawnOfNihil]

Thats a nap chair!

[@richardbenson4750]

Is he "driving" in reverse around the 11:50 mark in this video? Great build and a good video though, the "flying" bit was a nice touch too lol.