'Thinking of building my own computer desk' or 'A novice needs help.'

Dissociater

It all started with this photo:



Now, I'm of the opinion that this is the coolest desk ever. Much more interesting than my $100 Ikea desk.

Problem is, I'm not able, nor willing, to shell out the $21000 for this desk.

I'm a handy guy, I figure I possess the fine motor skills to build something that will obviously not be as nice, but still be kind of cool.

Problem two: I don't even know where to begin. I have access to some nice tools and powertools (my Father's), but I really don't know what I'm doing. I've done some minor woodwork in the past, but nothing this major, and have never worked with glass, so I don't even know what that would require. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Or could at least point me in the right direction?

If I do decide to build such a thing, it will be well documented.

Casually Hardcore

Not entirely on topic, but please post a link on where one can get such a desk so I can add it to my "Reasons to finish my Engineering major" list?

Dissociater

His website's here http://www.theredstonegallery.com/dale_mathis.htm

Usagi

judging from the picture, the gear base and much of the structure seems to be metal, not wood

but motor driven gear desk, hell yes

Dissociater

I'm thinking instead of a motor, having a hand crank protruding from the desk. So it's not always in motion.

matt has a problem

There's a reason this desk is $21k, the amount of metal fabrication skill needed to build it isn't exactly small. "Power tools" most likely aren't going to be enough, you're going to need access to a metalworking shop. Plus, I'm guessing the frame is aluminum as making it from steel would cause it to be prohibitively heavy, and aluminum isn't exactly easy to weld.

matt has a problem

Instead of building it from metal, have you thought about building it out of wood? Not the gears, just the frame and legs. Mount the gears to axles that are attached to the bottom of a hollow wooden box that's topped with a nice thick sheet of glass. It would give you the look without having to go through all the years of learning how to work with metal.

Dissociater

I haven't thought of that yet, that's why I'm here. I really don't know where to start. Basically you're saying, instead of making the top and bottom glass, just make the top glass and the bottom wood? that makes sense.

How would I go about getting a piece of glass to fit an odd shape like this? I mean, if I were to make my design something other than a standard rectangle, how would I get the glass in there?

Chanus

I dunno whatever happened to the old, unfinished door on top of two short file cabinets.

The cables go through the doorknob hole... it's brilliant design!

matt has a problem

Dissociater wrote: »

I haven't thought of that yet, that's why I'm here. I really don't know where to start. Basically you're saying, instead of making the top and bottom glass, just make the top glass and the bottom wood? that makes sense.

How would I go about getting a piece of glass to fit an odd shape like this? I mean, if I were to make my design something other than a standard rectangle, how would I get the glass in there?

Just search for a local glass shop online. They'll be able to recommend a good thickness too when you tell them what size you need and how you're going to use it, and they'll cut it to shape for you.

Dissociater

Where would I get the gears and that kind of stuff?

Usagi

Actually, if you have some decent fine motor control and are handy with some woodworking tools, you can make gears out of wood. They mesh and work just like metal gears, though they won't be as strong. Bonus points if you stain them in all sorts of complimentary shades.

matt has a problem

Dissociater wrote: »

Where would I get the gears and that kind of stuff?

The cheapest place would be a junkyard. You'd have to get creative of course, pulling them off engines and stuff. Bike shops too, although they'd be a bit thinner than what you see in that desk. Other than that, googling for gear manufacturers or sellers would be your best bet.

Dissociater

And the axels and whatever would mount them to wood? Would something like a Rona/home depot carry that kind of stuff?

I'm getting rather excited about this possibility. What's a good kind of wood to use?

SideAffects

Old machinery from the 30's to the 70's will get you gears. Think of things like old printing presses, or type writers.

I would recommend going to a woodcrafting site. There was a fairly recent post on these forums about what kinds of wood to use for projects...basically soft wood is easier to work with, but might not stain well or have a nice grain to it

As for how to start...I suggest you start making some drawings. I'd bet those woodcraft sites have forums where you can post them up and get some feedback. I'd probably make the bottom clear layer out of some sort of plexiglass, because it doesn't have to be pretty, won't be as heavy, and will support those gears better. You can get pretty much any glass place to custom make that top for you. Simply calling around and describing the size/shape will get you a price quote.

Heck, you could probably generate basic drawings, take them to a carpenter (the artsy kind, not the house-building time), and ask them if they can make the design "work" and how much it'd cost. Then get the gears yourself, and have the glass top made by some company. Probably would cost you WAY under the price of the OP one, look nice, be custom, take less time, and be plenty cool. If you are dedicated to making it yourself, you might be unsatisfied with the final product. The board-feet you'd need to carve that custom shape can really add up in $$

Dissociater

SideAffects wrote: »

If you are dedicated to making it yourself, you might be unsatisfied with the final product. The board-feet you'd need to carve that custom shape can really add up in $$

I think you're right about this, so I think the first thing I would do is make a miniature version to scale to work the kinks out. It'll save money and still be fun to do.

Start small. I'll check out a Rona tomorrow and pick up a book on DIY woodworking.

DekuStick

While glass might be your ideal thing I've done work in a plastics fabcrication shop and they can bang that shape out for you no problem in something like plexiglass and do it in an hour. It'll be clear, strong and won't shatter to shit when you're trying to make this thing. I'd look into that. Glass like that I'm thinking will be way too expensive for what you want to accomplish.

You can always build the desk so that you can put in real glass if it all works out for you but I really recommend doing a plexiglass run on your first try as its cheaper and easier to work with than actual glass.

Improvolone

I thought you were talking about this

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how_to/4318067.html
It's a liquid cooled computer built into a desk.

Bonus: The article goes into fabrication and might give you some ideas

Liquid Hellz

Defiantly need to post in this thread again with pics when ever you are finished with this project please.

TL DR

Improv, that's the first thing I thought of as well.

Dissociater

DekuStick wrote: »

While glass might be your ideal thing I've done work in a plastics fabcrication shop and they can bang that shape out for you no problem in something like plexiglass and do it in an hour. It'll be clear, strong and won't shatter to shit when you're trying to make this thing. I'd look into that. Glass like that I'm thinking will be way too expensive for what you want to accomplish.

You can always build the desk so that you can put in real glass if it all works out for you but I really recommend doing a plexiglass run on your first try as its cheaper and easier to work with than actual glass.

I'll definitely look into it. Thanks.

I bookmarked that link too Improvolone.