Made My own Desk !!! - for ~$125!!

[autolex84]

UPDATED 5-1-06 SEE PAGE 3, MANY NEW PICTURES.

I decided to go ahead and make my own desk since the old one was dying and wobbling under the weight of my 52 lb generic 19" monitor.

Heres a Materials list with (rough) prices from Home Depot

I chose Baltic birch over oak (oak was only $2 more per big sheet) because of its unique grain, and superior flex resistance over oak (the oak was 5 ply the birch 10 ply)

1 x 10 Ply Baltic Birch 4' by 8' by .75" sheet-------------------------------------------$44 Each
2 x 5 Ply Baltic Birch 2' by 4' by .75" sheets-------------------------------------------$13 Each
4 x 90deg "L" brackets for the joining of the two sheets at the joint ------------------$3.50 each
2 x Cedar 2" by 4" by 8' s-----------------------------------------------------------$6.00 each
2 x Large (100ct) boxes of flat headed Phillips Sheet metal screws (9/16 long) --------$7.00 each
9 x Small Sheet metal 90deg wood joiners (in porch building section)------------------$0.94 each
4 x Large (thick) wheet metal wood Joiners -----------------------------------------$3.50 each

Total (approximate) ------------------------------------------------------------------$133.00

and the pictures will follow, (but I need to host them first so give me a few minutes)

[autolex84]

I really needed a corner desk to save some space with this monitor and the small room (appx. 12 x 14 ) so here goes.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0154.jpg

and heres a not so close shot of the grain (which I think is really cool)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0155.jpg

and the seam (which is pretty damn close for a circular saw)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0157.jpg

the underside, showing a few of the supports and such

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0160.jpg

The two APC 350VA battery backups, ( I can play COD2 for about 15-20 minutes completely unplugged from the wall with these babies!)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0161.jpg

next post for more

[autolex84]

more of the underside (the crosswise diagonal two by four is the main support for the 19")

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0162.jpg

one of the legs (very well torsionally supported, NO wobble, at all!)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0163.jpg

Closer up of the Baltic Birch's Grain (w00t!)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0166.jpg

and this pic, a crappy shot of the edges, (so you guys and gals can see the plys)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0181.jpg

Yet more of the plys, if you can see them.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0179.jpg

And one more of the whole setup

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/DSCF0164.jpg

Let me know what you think!! (btw it is in no ways completely finished, I just had to build the main section so I can later [after my colorado vacation that im leaving for tomorrow] add some bookshelves and other stuff)

[squasher]

Wow, nice work. It looks pro.

[autolex84]

Thank you sir. I do kind of do this for a living, I work at a car stereo shop, building sub boxes, and kickpanels, and wiring and such, so this is by far NOT my first experience building something of this nature.

[Flip-Mode]

Very nice, I'm definitely building something likes this in the summer!

[Nexus Realized]

Excellent work man :):thup:

[Chrome-]

I need a new desk, so it looks like I'll be building one sometime soon.

Nice job.

[autolex84]

thanks guys and gals!

[JackupCyrus]

Looks pretty slick & it's built well. Hmm, that would look good at my house with a dark stain.

[Trombe]

Love the desk, but how do you get to the front of your computer?

[xTrEmEoVrClOcKr]

The desk looks nice, all you need to do is put a nice stain / finish on it. Good work.

[Herr Rogers]

Awesome desk! I bought mine at STAPLES, and after building an external water cooling box and having barely enough room, I wish I had a longer one. Mine too is a corner-desk, but the "arms" don't go too far. I reccomend that you make the corners of your desk smooth, because having your wrists, or even your arms, resting on the edge of the wood will get irritating. You get what I mean? I think it looks fine without stain.

[Albaholic]

that looks pretty nice

[Son1990]

Very nice job. Exactly what Im now planning on using to mount each leg togeather.

[millhouse]

Nice job man! Looks very simple, yet sturdy! I like it!

*gets more ideas for when he builds his desk*

[Beginner]

with all those braces your desk looks super solid. i was thinking about buying a desk too, it might be better to build one like you did. $125 is really good compared to what a good desk costs.

[halo_2_rocks]

Where in co are you going? oh yeah i like your desk, that would perfect for my bedroom

[Mr.Guvernment]

very nice, clean line and simple :D

amazing how cheap they are, thay would cost like $300 in Office crapo here.

[two_dope2000]

Looks to me like some of the brackets and supports are overkill?
I used 2 4x8ft MDF sheets for my desk and kept the surface one big piece, almost exactly like yours but mines 8 feet long and 4 feet wide :) Is that birch harder to work with than MDF? Or is it all cosmetics?

[Enablingwolf]

MDF is softer to work on. It is Medium Density Fiber board. Easy to get in side details. Since it refers to the core, not the laminate.

Birch/Alder is a good wood and if you use Canuba Wax and it will mimic Maple. :thup:

The only drawback to Birch/Alder is it tends to a softwood. It is easy and cheap to work on. But dents real easy. Get a good detail going on the facing and that will be one sharp desk.

I would go for a 3/8" bullnose on the top and bottom of the detail. Not to round, not to sharp.

[cullam3n]

Not to bust your bubble, although I love your creativity, my friend just bought a desk similar to what you are making for $80 at Staples. However, I love the work you are doing and that this doesn't deter you; in fact, I hope it can give you some ideas or spark something you have not thought about.

http://www.7hmgaming.com/galleryv2/albums/glenbrook/apt2.sized.jpg
http://www.7hmgaming.com/galleryv2/albums/glenbrook/apt1.sized.jpg

[princeofdarknes]

Awsome desk autolex, i love it. I myself need to build me a desk because my current one is kinda wobly, i dont feel that safe ^^;.

Wish i still had a garage though, and i hope i my dad kept that table saw... whence i get me some extra money i'll start thinkin about it though.

[AlabamaCajun]

The store bought desk is nice but the solid construction of his hand crafted desk will outlast the storebought. A little edge veneering and a corner palm rest would make it a piece of funiture.

You can see the edge veneer in this picture and more in the thread of what birch plywood looks like when finished. This little 24x48 inch table is about 17 years old. Sorry, these pictures wer about the wood tower case but the desk/table is visible below. The polyurethane finish has held up well. Needs a week to harden before use.

http://www.mindspring.com/~alabamacajun/cabinet2.jpg

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=427481&page=1

Autolex84 will end up with an even better looking piece of funiture than my simple table.
Looking nice.

[Herr Rogers]

When I posted and told him to round off the edges or make them less sharp I didn't know the technical term, "edge veneering". You should DEFINATELY do this, I can't imagine having my arms resting on that while I type.

[GQBalla]

i like it!!!

good job!

[Kevin007]

Nice Desk! I love the dual UPSs, I would really like one, it gives you a feeling of power hehe.

[autolex84]

1. again, the desk is in no way finished (the edge trim is going on when I get back)

2. I am currently in steamboat springs colorado until the 8th

3. I am going to add some bookshelves attached to the back and going up above the monitor BEFORE I finish it

other than that, THANKS for the Replies guys and gals!

[Susquehannock]

DIY rules ! ..... :thup:

Now what you need to do is design yourself one of those custom "L-shaped" cases
to hide your wires & make the optical drives more accessible.

[Enablingwolf]

The plastic edging is cheesy. I think this nice of a project deserves real wood edging. It will not pull away from the edge over time. Almost all vinyl edging is held on by hot glue. Easy and fast to apply. That is why most commercial manufacturers use it. It comes in rolls and you just slide the material along the edger iron. If the Op used glue in the correct spots. This will last much longer then any prefab unit.

Real wood it much better. Alder is similar to pine in price. Maybe a few cents more per linear foot. Depending on the grade used. 5/8x3/4 is dirt cheap since most moulding is made from scrap rips.

I think that would much better looking since the OP could get some fantastic effects when he gets around to it.

Even a nice ogee would be a sweet detail for the edge. Try and avoid a royal/imperial style crown detail(any 90° edging). It is hard to keep sanitary. For edging on high use details, rounded is your friend. Plus it is easy to make in your home. A slight pass with your circlesaw set to 22.5°. A swipe or two of some sandpaper and it is done.

Instead of metal retainers I would of used a corbel system. I am picky when it comes to furniture though. I like some of the techniques you used. Very easy to implement, and simple to assemble.

I say great job!!!

The Birch laminate is a really nice looking wood when it is finished. I would not use a colored stain or coating. I know preferance, but Birch/Alder has some wonderful grain effects. Nice to see someone not use Oak or other high dollar material. Some of the softwoods seem to be neglected for projects. By the way, FYI Alder is used for the facing and Birch is the laminate, since the grain is visually the same.

[DerekDRP]

AutoLax nice desk dude ( home made desks look better then stor boughts )

[shellshock]

Sweet job bro! I love all the bracing, sure to be strong and solid. imo, I like birch ply way better than mdf. Its lighter, and it dosent make all that dust when you cut on it.

overall looks yery good! :cool:

[Celeron_Phreak]

Uh oh, was I influencing again??? :p

I can't help to think about how much that looks nearly identical to my first desk (although mine was smaller). It looks great.

BTW, there's no such thing as over kill on your desk. Would you rather put two 19" - 21" CRT displays on your desk and have it collapse, possibly breaking anything sitting on or under the desk????

[DietPepsi0219]

looks awesome, i love the grain of the wood...*jealous*, im deffinately going to give this a shot this summer...yet ANOTHER thing im postponing until the end of school

[Electron Chaser]

Nicely done. If you have access to a router. Break the corners on the desktop to give it a nice rounded look.

[autolex84]

I am about to add a large upper shelf and LCD stand to the desk here in the next week or so, ill kep you guys (and gals) updated with pics as I progress.

[autolex84]

Uh oh, was I influencing again??? :p

I can't help to think about how much that looks nearly identical to my first desk (although mine was smaller). It looks great.

BTW, there's no such thing as over kill on your desk. Would you rather put two 19" - 21" CRT displays on your desk and have it collapse, possibly breaking anything sitting on or under the desk????

yeah, your thread on your desk(s) is what motivated me to act on the Idea that I had!! thanks Man!!!

[autolex84]

Just ordered one of these to house two samsung 940b's side by side.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=LCD-194&cat=MON

I'm going to make a base out of the wood I built the desk out of for it so it matches a little better as well, as usual I will post pics as I recieve/build stuff

[osiris999]

awesome

[Amarkarian]

skills

[ThE cHiCkEn]

that is skillful, I love it!

[threeme2189]

you got skillz man.
nice job!

[autolex84]

thanks guys, the Samsung 940b's will be here next week and I will be adding a whole nother peice to the desk. stay close, ill impress ya even more!!!

[itshondo]

Excellent project, great craftsmanship.

I too built a 7 foot long custom desk out of a old maple drafting station.

But I've moved onto this desk, bought for $80.00 (used) on Craigslist. Mods are on the way though, going to build a cabinet om the left and extension on the right- the size should be close to your design.

Again, very good job!

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8928/copyofimg97450xv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[metloaf]

That's a very nice desk for that kind of money! I like the reinforcing brackets, I think that should survive for a while even with heavy use. :cool:

[autolex84]

hope so!!!! I will be adding a cable hiding panel, and an upper shelf to hold games and DVDs on the left side of the desk this weekend hopefully, as well as a 1.7ft^3 avanti peltier mini fridge off to the right side underneath. I recieved my core stand system for my LCD Dual display setup a couple of days ago (will be modding and building a base for it out of wood to match the desk) and I'm just waiting for the 2 x 19" Samsung 940b LCDs to get here!!!! Ill keep you guys posted.

ps. if you guys want, I will post the terrible MSpaint concept drawing of what I intend the desk to look like when its done on here tonight too?!

[autolex84]

I say great job!!!

The Birch laminate is a really nice looking wood when it is finished. I would not use a colored stain or coating. I know preferance, but Birch/Alder has some wonderful grain effects. Nice to see someone not use Oak or other high dollar material. Some of the softwoods seem to be neglected for projects. By the way, FYI Alder is used for the facing and Birch is the laminate, since the grain is visually the same.

Thanks for the kind words and Info, I definitely love the grain and color of the desk now, but you are correct, I need some kind of transparent protective coating, so when its done I will probably do some kind of polyurethane coating on the whole desk (unless you have a better Idea, you seem to be an expert in this area).

BTW thanks again for the compliments and ideas, sorry I took so long to tip my hat to ya!!! :beer: :thup:

[Enablingwolf]

A good clear sealer should work out really nice. If you want a hard finish. Get a brushable polyurethane. Then thin it to 50/50(laquer thinner) for a gloss if you like shiney. Home depot carries bushable products. For paint products I like Ace hardware. If you don't have a sprayer or acces to a skilled painter just get brushable products.

Follow the instructions on the can. Since in my experiance, they all go on about the same, but each product has its own little quirks to get the best results out of the can.

If you use a sealing eurathane. I would use a brush finish and lay the coats on it. 4 should be durable enough. More the merrier though, it will give depth to the finish. Marine urethane would be the most durable. Very pricey stuff, but would take alot of abuse. Cup marks would be much less on a chemical based varient. Water based is the easiest to work with. Oil has the best visual appeal. It just makes the wood warm looking.

Now if you want the best looks possible, a good linseed oil would make that thing look awsome. It offers no surface protection though. It is for looks only. It does offer some water protection(very little), and needs to be reapplied every so often. It will however give the warmest look of any finish I can think of.

[autolex84]

could I do linseed oil and then some type of sealer on top of it?

[Enablingwolf]

The linseed oil will penitrate and not let the sealer in. I would suggest as an alt look into oil based products. It will give the best of both.

Unless oil based sealers are not allowed in your state.

http://www.minwax.com/products/woodprep/

Here is an alt to linseed oil.

http://www.minwax.com/products/specialty/tung-oil.cfm

I hunted down the properties of each on wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_finishing

[soulfly1448]

That's nice, beats my kitchen table!

[-maddog-]

Nice :) !

[Jeff Moser]

Nice Job !!! Below is one I made a few years back where I utilized kitchen base cabinets with drawers all pre-made just had to stain. The top is 2'x4' 3/4" oak veneer plywood with some nice looking moulding glued to the edges.

Has a nice bookcase Made from oak boards behind the dual monitors which are hinged to open up.
http://www.thepond.d2g.com/water/desk.jpg

[autolex84]

1. ^^^ nice, (with kickass dual displays too!!!) ^^^

2. what kinda lcds are those

3. what the hell is in that diamond plate case there!!!?????

[Jeff Moser]

The monitors are two dell 18" that I got for free just had to repair the inverters work like new now.

The pc is custom made case watercooled the work log is HERE (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=397065&highlight=small+tall)

[autolex84]

sweet!

[autolex84]

Heres the original MSpaint (i know, lol) Concept for the desk

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/desksmall.jpg

And heres my quick Autocadded (inventor 10) screenshot of what the rest is going to look like (forgive the lack of color, im on a school machine with no textures default loaded)

CLICK FOR BIGGER PIX!!!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/inventor.jpg

Will post real pics as the desk actually gets built onto!!

again thanks for all the compliments and ideas guys, you are my inspiration to keep this work log alive!!

[Celeron_Phreak]

My dad did a top half shelf almost identical to that one a few years ago, but he put CD storage slides on the left side. I'll get a picture of the routing he did to keep the top shelf board in place.

[autolex84]

cool, id like to see that cause I have no idea how im going to mount mine on the desk!!

[Enablingwolf]

I would dado it then use pins to keep it in place. Even a screw from the bottom with the combination of that dado will make it more then stable. If you don't have the means to make a dado, a couple screws from the bottom will hold it in place. Just pre-drill so the material does not split.

[StupidFast900]

thats very similar to my desk, i built it for about 60 bucks, amazing what kind of scraps lowes has laying around ready to throw away.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/stupidfast900/DSCN0382.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/stupidfast900/DSCN0383.jpg

[autolex84]

^^ Looks awesome man!!^^^

Edit: btw what monitor is that>? (it looks teh uber 1337)

[StupidFast900]

veiwsonic 2750 27"

[turkey4550]

Job well done my friend, it looks nearly identical to mine which is store bought. I just upgraded from a mid to a full tower and need mine to be a little taller. I just bought a new house and will be building myself one this summer. As for the dude with the $80 desk...... It seems a bit poorly designed. A corner desk with the keyboard tray on the side. You'll be gettin neck cramps havin your head turned while typing, lol. But it is a good looking desk also.

[techun]

is that a lindsay lowhan poster..lol

[turkey4550]

I think it is my wife..... Dude you got some explainin to do!!!! LOL

[Epox4life]

I have the same comp case as you, in the first pic you posted.

[autolex84]

cool, you guys want me to post some new pics, ( i have a samsung lcd now and some of the shelving done)

[autolex84]

im going to go ahead and ressurect this thread so I can find it easier and update it when I get done with Part 2 of 4 on this desk this week.

[threeme2189]

i would really like to see some updates.

[n0aH]

thats very similar to my desk, i built it for about 60 bucks, amazing what kind of scraps lowes has laying around ready to throw away.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/stupidfast900/DSCN0382.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/stupidfast900/DSCN0383.jpg

awsome setup man! ive gotta do soemthing like this... And nice chair i have the same one :)

[autolex84]

lol, I just got a new chair today actually!

[Celeron_Phreak]

Funny thing about the chair in the pictures, I bought that one last year when I redid my computer and room. I ended up trading it to my dad for his old one which is lower, since the one I bought was to high up and I couldn't put my legs under the desk.

Pix of the new chair! :D

[autolex84]

k, ill see if I can find my camera.

[t1mex]

In for pics of completed Dual-monitor setup! (if it did get completed that is..)

[autolex84]

hopin to get the thing done today, the base on the stand was a beast to get balanced and working correctly. (its not installed yet, but nearly finished, Ill try and post pics tonight of just the monitors, and maybe the base as well, but I am trying to study for finals today as well) hopefully back with pics later!

[autolex84]

cant find a working digi cam, goin to steal the girlfriends...

be back in a few.

[autolex84]

kk, got pics, not of the base though, (its still at work in our shop), and of my new chair, so here they are...

heres the new look of the desk

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0615.jpg

another shot

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/4f9b4935.jpg

the new $119 Chair, (sitting in it now, Soo comfy)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/03fe1fb1.jpg

my new minifridge (peltier fridge)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/c37fcceb.jpg

my laptop on my desk, my sheetmetal stand

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/df392149.jpg

the duals

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/683764d5.jpg

more on next post.

[autolex84]

more pics of course

typical veiwing situation

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/ce7db911.jpg

laptop opened up and on stand

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/f0102772.jpg

looking soo cool

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0626.jpg

i love that I can do this now.

BTW Ultramon is WAY worth the $40

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0627.jpg

more on next post.

[autolex84]

yet more pictures

the Monitor stand LEFT OVER parts, after I got what I needed out of it, (which basically consisted of the vesa mounts and the arms)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0628.jpg

what its supposed to look like according to the instructions

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0629.jpg

what I took off of it

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0630.jpg

the ergotron, that I want, but am trying to get by with only spending the $40 on this setup, instead of $200 on.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/ergo.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/ergo2.jpg

let me know what you guys think...thanks!

[autolex84]

heres some of the laptop stand, (in case you guys are interested at all?!)

My buddy carey helped me build it (his dad owns a sheet metal shop, so he made it for me out of painted aluminum, and I put the electronics on it)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0636.jpg

The fan is a 60mm radio shack POS, and the power supply (variable) and connectors from there as well.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0637.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0638.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0639.jpg

and at last one of the variable (1.5V to 12V @ 300mA) power supply

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0641.jpg

again, more pics on the way as the stand gets completed.

Please!, post some reply's let me know how im doin!

[Adragontattoo]

Looks awesome, kinda like my desk

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a64/Adragontattoo/Digi%20pics%20to%20be%20sorted/Computer%20old%20and%20new/64X2%20SLI%20Rig/pano.jpg

Mine wasnt DIY as much though due to the whole prefab counter and cabinet use though

[autolex84]

nice, that looks good man.

edit, btw why is that image cropped like that? (it actually looks kinda cool!)

[Adragontattoo]

too bad it is a mess as it is my work area for any modding/cutting/etc that I do.

[t1mex]

Lookin nice autolex! Can't wait to see the total finished thing with monitor stand.

[autolex84]

thanks man!

[Adragontattoo]

nice, that looks good man.

edit, btw why is that image cropped like that? (it actually looks kinda cool!)


Its a program called autostitch that I downloaded. Its a bunch of pictures all joined together to make one single pic.

[autolex84]

ahh, that makes sense then, it looks pretty cool!

[autolex84]

bump for over 2500 views!

[itshondo]

Adragontattoo-

That's a great setup-

[autolex84]

ok, I got a BUNCH of watercooling supplies on the way here this week (BIX2, D5, apogee, Fillport). I will post up this thread rather than starting another with the build off, and the cutting the crap out of my chenming server case! let me know what you guys think. I think Im going to mod the living crap out of the fan and HDD and floppy mounts as well to get all this stuff to fit in here. also got a nVsilencer on the way for my 7800gt, which I think should go in pretty easily as well. Maybe I can get some shots up here of the Base as well, as that will be done as soon as finals wrap up tomorrow, Let me know what you all think.

- //Alex

[autolex84]

w00t, most of it is here!

[t1mex]

w00t, most of it is here!

enlighten us with pics oh holy one! :D:D

[autolex84]

ok, heres some pics of my destroyed desk, and my destroyed case, and all the parts, (sorry I installed most of the setup before I started taking Pictures!!

Enjoy!

The wrecked desk

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0698.jpg

the disassembled case (notice the new port hole for the atx power cable so that it can run behind the mobo tray)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0699.jpg

the swifty apogee

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0700.jpg

Teh BIX2 X-Flow, D5 pump, and Delta AFB1212VHE fans

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0701.jpg

The Danger Den Fillport

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0702.jpg

My bed covered in random parts

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0703.jpg

Yet more parts on my desk

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0704.jpg

Hard Drives, floppy, Fan controllers, OE BFG 7800GT Heatsink

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0705.jpg

Thanks for looking, Ill post some more when I get er' filled up!! Let me know what you all think!

[khiloa]

Everything looks very impressive.

[autolex84]

Thanks!

[NsOmNiA91130]

Is that a Saitek Illuminated Keyboard I see there? I thought I was the only one in the world with one, I never see them for sale anywhere.

[autolex84]

yeah, my neighbor bought it for me from the egg for my 21st birthday (i do odd jobs for him, rebuilding computers, electrical and plumbing work, so he buys me gifts for helping him out, as well as paying me cash!)

[autolex84]

ughhh, does bleeding always take so long?

[autolex84]

More Pics, Now Nearing completion

Heres the Case, Leak Testing, (btw, 1st watercooled comp, NO leaks at all!)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0706.jpg

the Hydrex that makes the cool green glow

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0709.jpg

Before Mixing, approx 1L of DI H20 and The Hydrex

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0707.jpg

after, (btw, no stirring, it mixed nearly perfectly by itself!)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0710.jpg

Next post for filling the loop.

[autolex84]

Heres The loop filled, and leak testing

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0711.jpg

w00t for zero leaks!

ghetto rad mount (for now)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0712.jpg

final assembly coming along

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0713.jpg

almost done

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0714.jpg

Whole thing, ready for power-up (notice the position of the compu-nurses, I mounted them there, then once power up, realized they were upside down! DOH!)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0715.jpg

Next post for more!

[autolex84]

All closed up, ready to ... push ... the ... button !!!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0716.jpg

right about now, (all powered up) I realize the compunurses are upside down and reverse them

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0717.jpg

the top one is case temp, the bottom Memory temperature (actually sandwiched between the heatspreader and the memory modules! eek!)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0718.jpg

Looking up at it

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0719.jpg

night time

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0721.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0722.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0723.jpg

The Product, at least for this week, LOL

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/autolex84/100_0724.jpg

PLEASE! Let me know what you guys think of it! (even if you think it sucks!) feedback is VALUABLE to me! thanks guys!

-//Alex

[t1mex]

Looks awesome!

By the way, "push.... the.... button...." Chemical Brothers reference?

[autolex84]

Looks awesome!

By the way, "push.... the.... button...." Chemical Brothers reference?


thanks and yeah!

[t1mex]

thanks and yeah!
my finger.... is on the button.....
world, the time has come to..

galvanize!

[autolex84]

bump!! no comments or anything guys?

[Enablingwolf]

Everyone is speechless of your 1337 setup. :D

[Overclocker.IL]

Great Job ! can I copy some of your ideas ?

[Sleepy_Steve]

It definetly looks great! map props and such :drool:

Could you somehow cut a better opening in the front of the case to provide better airflow to the rad? Im not sure what your temps are but i tihnk that may help improve things a bit. (at least from what i saw in the pic of the gheto rad mount)

[turkey4550]

That is very similar to the way I setup my water cooling, but I am using single core rad. and all is hidden in front drive bays, I suspended the pump udside-down from my floppy cage.

[autolex84]

Great Job ! can I copy some of your ideas ?

sure, just make sure you post pics man! (imitation is the greatest form of flattery!)

and Yeah I think Im gonna cut the front of the case out a bit so theres a LOT better airflow then what I have now.


Thanks for the encouragement and kind words guys!

[turkey4550]

great job dude

[autolex84]

thanks man!

[Adragontattoo]

looks awesome. I may snag a few of your ideas as well.

[autolex84]

looks awesome. I may snag a few of your ideas as well.


sounds good, take pics!

[SNieX]

WAT...................... thats amazin... i love those night shots.. with the matrix.. soo sexci...

nice job man.. get like a UV green cathode in the case.. or add them to the bottom of the desk.. like where the keyboard goes...

SNieX

[autolex84]

WAT...................... thats amazin... i love those night shots.. with the matrix.. soo sexci...

nice job man.. get like a UV green cathode in the case.. or add them to the bottom of the desk.. like where the keyboard goes...

SNieX

thats a kickarse idea, I think Ill add some Cathodes to the underside of the desk, Im gonna go find a 12v source to wire them to, and order some, but EXPECT pics as soon as I get some in! thanks for the idea man!!

-//Alex

[Thumdar]

Fine work. I've made my own furniture before and, if you make sure to preplan, it can come out very nice!

[autolex84]

thank you !

[autolex84]

kk, I got an enermax 535 sli power supply today, and I think Im gonna do some kind of mount for my hard drives while im in there, as well as more cutting for better wire management. (the thermaltake purepower 420 was dipping to 11.5V on the 12V rail, as well as the 3.3 dipping low enough to make the OC I had very unstable once I installed the D5!) I'll Post some pics when the install goes down tomorrow night! thanks for viewing guys!

-//Alex

[maddog39]

Wow.... that hole frickin thing is just NICE! Awsome job. :D

[autolex84]

thanks man! i definitely appreciate the input
Ill have to post some pictures, but I just purchased some Audio-Technica ATH-A700s and a ATH-A2 Headphone amp, they are some of the cleanest sounds ive EVER heard!

[mikey976]

new to the forums and was saw your set up thats crazy great job on the pc
i have the same exact case jus and ugly yellow.

i drilled out the rivets on the top and bottom panels and reversed the doors,
so the powersupply and dvd is on the bottom have 5 1/4 trays that house the
hd's
cause i have myu desk set up a little like yours with my tower directly in front of me .

[autolex84]

nice

[chrism131]

Wow, good job.
It's nice to know someone out there keeps their desk clean xD

[autolex84]

lol, I Have OCD about keeping My Desk Uber-Clean (on the other hand my room is a friggin WRECK, but the desk is clean)

[reclaimer122]

Wow, that is some nice work! I really need a new desk... Not about to make my own though. Nice Donnie Darko mousepad, too! :)

[Burdman27911]

Well, since this thread has been resurrected. Have you considered staining the wood and rounding the edges on the front as well? I think even a clear coat on it would look good, or maybe some sort of a light stain would bring out more of the grain. And sanding the front edges round would give it more of a finished look.

Just some thoughts. Looks great though!

[reclaimer122]

Oh, jeez. Sorry for raising this thread, lol. Visited it from a link and didn't see what page it was on :(

[Enablingwolf]

It happens sometimes.

Some good (stuff) is hard to resist not to reply to. Now, lets see if autolex84 replies with an update. :D I forgot about this thread.

[autolex84]

im here, and very busy, but yeah, the desk is still raw wood for now, I still am in the process of making a few things for it, then it will be stained with a light stain and seal coat.

[LiquidNinja13]

might as well work on the shelving pieces whenever we help bryan with his...if we already have to get saws out and make a mess no reason not to make a bigger mess...

[autolex84]

good call.

[Swatman]

nicre desks