Organized Computer Recreation Area

[Son1990]

Organized
Computer
Recreation
Area

The Beginning:
Let me first start off by saying if my mom ever knew that, due to Celeron_Phreaks thread (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=429641) , I wanted to build my own entertainment center/desk, he would no longer be alive :p

My room, since the move to New Jersey at the beginning of the summer, has been a complete mess. Books and computer parts strewn everywhere in this disastrous wreck I call "My Room". My project, Screaming Deltas, was performed on my first desk which cost a mean $40 at a wal mart, a desk ment to be used for a short time until we could afford a new one. The time to afford a real nice one never came so after seeing Celeron_Phreaks thread, I ventured out to Home Depot on a quest for wood and a new desk!

The Goal:
The goal couldn't be better summed up than by my bud Blake:
GVBlake22: It's like a "play room" for computer enthusiasts.

+Storage for CDs
+Storage for DVDs
+Storage for books
+Work bench for small mods
+LCD Wall mount

The Design:
This is the basic design. Models will be updated and posted here.

12-16-05
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/Desk2.jpg
12-18-05
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/Desk4.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/Desk5.jpg

[ghettocomp]

Hey looks just like one that I need, even has a place for my BIg box! you must be making it for me.. :D j/k \
good job, now build! Heh heh heh...
I'll get it later :D

[Son1990]

Yesterday I stopped of at home depot and got some of my supplies along with the wood which would be used in the first/main part of this desk.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/DSCN3163.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/DSCN3164.jpg

The main desk is made from two 2'x4' boards placed one, ontop of the other.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/DSCN3167.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/DSCN3170.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/DSCN3171.jpg

[Son1990]

I then cut out and mounted the legs which were about 30 inches high and 21 inches across.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/DSCN3175.jpg

The legs were mounted using the angel brackets from my Screaming Deltas desk.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/DSCN3195.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/Son19902/Desk/DSCN3196.jpg

Now I have to run out and buy caulk and stainer.

[gvblake22]

SWEET MAN!
That's looking very nice so far. That's one helluva plan you got! Should definately make a great little modding corner. Lots of desk space, storage, and functionality... What more could you ask for?!

Mod On!! :attn:

[CCUABIDExORxDIE]

looks great. your logs are always great. im looking forward to this. also, im loving the title.

[jcw122]

Yummy design. And wow, CF's thread was just...wow...and now I understood why you were inspired lol.

[fordman]

cool

[Son1990]

Updated models in first post. I will work out the exact layouts of the shelves/boxes/drawers when the time comes.

[Celeron_Phreak]

I'm very proud to be such an inspiration to you Son. :)

I'll be keeping an eye on this one for sure.

You're going to hate me for telling you so late........A non-visible way of bonding two boards together is with contact cement. I used a disposable roller and pan, and applied it fairly thick to one side of both boards, and waited for it to become tacky. I then put string on one of the boards in a zigzag pattern, leaving about 6 inches hanging out. The other board was then lowered and straightened out on top of the string. After I was positive it was straight, I pulled the string out, which slowly lowered the top board down and sticking both together.

Can't wait to see this finished. Are you going to be using a vinyl laminate from parts express as well?

[Son1990]

The nails seem to work just fine so no worrys. I dont plan to use the laminate because my mother said If I were to do it, it would have to be stained a dark Mohagony (sp?) or painted black. I like the mohogany idea but dont know if I can just go ahead and slap on stainer. What do you think about staining?

[Celeron_Phreak]

well......Parts Express does sell a black laminate, with the grain of wood. Might want to ask your mother about that one.

Staining is easy, pretty much just apply it with a brush or lint free cloth (by soaking it in a container filled with the desired stain), and wait 24 hours for it to dry.

[Flip-Mode]

Great work, I have to build something like this when summer comes!

[gvblake22]

Yeah, I don't think staining is too difficult...
You should just go for that if you need one or the other.

[millhouse]

Staining is actually fun. I did it in Industrial Tech. in school. Plus you get high off of the fumes. :santa: lol j/k. Im gonna build my own desk soon, but i dont have nearly as much room as you do.

[Celeron_Phreak]

Are you using a table saw in the garage to cut your wood, or are you having Home Depot do the diry work? :) If you're using a table saw, you know we want pictures. ;)

[jcw122]

Are you using a table saw in the garage to cut your wood, or are you having Home Depot do the diry work? :) If you're using a table saw, you know we want pictures. ;)

Looks like he had a jigsaw, but it would seem he's using somehting else (since a jigsaw isn't that straight I guess)

[Son1990]

Are you using a table saw in the garage to cut your wood, or are you having Home Depot do the diry work? :) If you're using a table saw, you know we want pictures. ;)

Im using a jigsaw and the cuts have been dead on each time, just taking my time. I would use my scrollsaw but the peices are too long to cut.

[Celeron_Phreak]

A jig saw? Are you sure it's not a band saw?

EDIT: Come to think of it, I suppose he could have used a jig saw. Did you use a clamp guide to keep the straight?

[shard]

A jig saw? Are you sure it's not a band saw?

EDIT: Come to think of it, I suppose he could have used a jig saw. Did you use a clamp guide to keep the straight?

A jig saw is very easy to use, and can make a very good strait line. I use it alot around here.

[jcw122]

No updates? C'mon Son! :D

[Audioaficionado]

My plan for an electronics workbench/computer station is to get a solid core door without the door knob hole drilled out yet, finish the veneer real nice and mount it on top of two 3 drawer filing cabinets and cross brace it in the back between the two cabinets and bench top. Then I could add any shelves I want on a backstop piece of finished veneered plywood or whatever. All I would have to do then would be to ground an ESD mat through a 1MΩ resistor and have some grounding plug-ins for my ESD wrist strap.

[Celeron_Phreak]

Audio: Sounds like a good idea. Don't try lifting one of those doors by yourself though! My dad brought a 4 foot by 7 foot solid core door home from HP back when he used to work there (they were changing it out). We use it as a workbench, but it most definately takes two people to place it on top of two sawhorses. We've had it for about 20 years now and it's indestructable!

[Son1990]

Sorry about lack of updates. I have been at my dads for the new years. Before I left however, I was working on reinforcing the legs and re-doing all of the nails.

Audio, Nice plan. Cant wait to see how it turns out!

[natewildes]

I've been impressed by your CAD drawings throughout your posts; what program do you use? I've been trying to use open-source or cheap CAD programs, but if it takes AutoCAD 2006 to get great drawings like yours, so be it!

[shard]

Audio: Sounds like a good idea. Don't try lifting one of those doors by yourself though! My dad brought a 4 foot by 7 foot solid core door home from HP back when he used to work there (they were changing it out). We use it as a workbench, but it most definately takes two people to place it on top of two sawhorses. We've had it for about 20 years now and it's indestructable!

Your dad is a wuss, I just chucked a solid core, metal sheathed door yesterday over the wall :D

[Son1990]

I've been impressed by your CAD drawings throughout your posts; what program do you use? I've been trying to use open-source or cheap CAD programs, but if it takes AutoCAD 2006 to get great drawings like yours, so be it!

I use a program called Milkshape3D. You gte a 30day free trial period then you have to pay about 20 bucks afterward to register it. Only a one-time fee.

[Son1990]

Not much of an update but I will be going to home depot tomorrow to get a diffrent type of wood for the legs as well as diffrent brackets. Hopefully, I will have more of the desk completed by sunday.

[Celeron_Phreak]

Were you using plywood for the legs when you started? My only issue about plywood is that it bows with moisture and under excessive uneaven pressure. Which is why I use some type of particle board for legs of tables and desks. Whether it be the typical shelf board or MDF.

[Son1990]

Were you using plywood for the legs when you started? My only issue about plywood is that it bows with moisture and under excessive uneaven pressure. Which is why I use some type of particle board for legs of tables and desks. Whether it be the typical shelf board or MDF.

Right now Ill go with eaither MDF or Shelf board, whichever matches the grain type of the main desk peice.

[shawkins]

Everytime i see this thread, it reminds me of how badly I need a new desk!

[Son1990]

Well finnaly an update.
I went to Home Depot, picked up some 90degree brackets, stainer, and some wood for the legs of the main desk. The legs are Pine and the main is Oak (IIRC).

http://www.myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA8.jpg

[Son1990]

Make sure to stir it!
http://www.myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA9.jpg
Yummy color
http://www.myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA91.jpg

[Son1990]

Here are two diffrent shots, each shot makes the color look diffrent.
http://www.myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA92.jpg
http://www.myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA93.jpg

Thats it for tonight.

*Edited for hosting changes*

[Centurion]

Looks great! Can't wait to see the finished product!

[Electron Chaser]

Looking good amigo, I will be putting in my order for one. Do you deliver? LOL

[ShellMaza]

Have You Consider Making A WOOD Computer Case To Go Along With The Wood Aspect?

[Son1990]

I have concidered it. That will probobly be another project near the end of the year tho, once I have finished all my current and upcoming ones.

[Cerberus2k7]

Looking good man. Gonna set up any polycarb doors or anything?

[Son1990]

Looking good man. Gonna set up any polycarb doors or anything?

Patience young OCer/Modder :) You shall see :thup:

[Son1990]

Pictures Fixed.

[Son1990]

Time for an update!

I recived my order from McMaster and could finnaly begin attaching the legs to the "main" section of the desk. I used 90* angel brackets to secure the legs to the desk, 4 to each leg. I used 1/2" screws to hold them in place tightly. The only thing I had to do was drill the holes a tad bigger to house the screws. I still have to stain the sides and then I can apply the cover coat, then begin on the extensions.
http://myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA94.jpg
http://myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA95.jpg
http://myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA96.jpg

[Son1990]

http://myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA97.jpg
http://myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA98.jpg
http://myeyesview.com/modding/OCRA99.jpg

Thats it for this week/weekend. Im leaving for a tournament this weekend and wont be home till sunday or monday.

[gvblake22]

Lookin' Good :thup:

[autolex84]

W00t for the metal angle brackets!! good lookin desk man!

[flamerail]

Would have looked better had it been made properly. Bunch of angle brackets and plywood is gona look sloppy :(

[Voodoo Rufus]

Would have looked better had it been made properly. Bunch of angle brackets and plywood is gona look sloppy :(

Well, at least he is doing something himself and learning. Most people would just buy a desk and be done with it.

[RoadWarrior]

Nah, it's gonna look sweet with some edging strip on it. Wayyyyyyy better than those particle board desks with paper veneer on do after a couple of months anyway.

[Captain Slug]

Plus it will double as a bomb shelter when it's done. :)

[Voodoo Rufus]

Nah, it's gonna look sweet with some edging strip on it. Wayyyyyyy better than those particle board desks with paper veneer on do after a couple of months anyway.

Hey watch it I've used an 8ft. one for 3 years now as my main desk. :p

[autolex84]

bump for an awesome desk, and for a guy that isnt scared to use giant metal angle brackets like me and the desk in my sig!

[Suma]

I'm adding this to my favorites!
Great article so far, keep it UP!

Suma.

[Son1990]

Well Finnaly an update.

Its been a while but school and paintball have been taking up alot of my time. The big conflict with the desk was weather i was gonna put laquer (sp?) on the top side, or put acrylic on. I have finnaly decided acrylic and have already cut and drilled the slab I will need. Pics will come within the next few days.