Gordian Desk

[W.Feather]

Well i figured that i am running out of desk space with my current desk, have been workign on a new design to build.....and have also decided to add my current PC into the desk...

I am posting my work log here, while i finalize the design/build the desk and am now looking into the ideas for changing the design to make it better suited for use as a desk. As of now the plan is to build the desk when the spring semester ends, but well I need to knock the design out before hand so I am lookign for suggestions


Done:
-Preliminary design
-Find place for plexi glass in top
-Fix leg on right hand of desk

To do:
-Finalize design
-Render with hardwood flooring on top
-Finalize hole layouts
-Other changes that are suggested
-Figure out materials
-Start Build, plywood as temp top

Onto the initial images:

Here is where I am at, any criticism is appricated, i know the leg layout is not perfect (have a fix thought out for the right hand side....going to work it into the CAD's over the next few days). Sorry for the large size, didnt want to mess around with resizing on image shack, and this is the default size that solid works saves them at



Isometric View:

Top:

Bottom:

Front:

Back:

Right:

Left:

Previous Design Concepts:
Iso- http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/6253/isometricofdesk.jpg
Top- http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7258/topofdesk.jpg
Bottom- http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9462/bottomofdesk.jpg
Right- http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8369/rightofdesk.jpg
Left- http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/7620/leftofdesk.jpg
Front- http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5173/frontofdesk.jpg
Back- http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/6607/backofdesk.jpg

 

[W.Feather]

What I am looking for right now:

-Suggestions on editing the actual design
-What wood would be best for the frame's construction
-Does the design look strong enough overall to hold everything?

 

[jojo69]

You know, I've always been a fan of the simple 2x4 and plywood benchwork. A few minutes with the orbital sander and it doesn't look half bad.

What I've been doing, hate to say it, is going to the home despot for the cheap 2x4s and their "baltic birtch" veneer plywood. I got 24 feet of that bench in here plus 2 standalone rolling cubes so you can pull them out to patch the cabling.

 

[KaizerDan]

Looks pretty sturdy, 1 little suggestion though. Not a huge fan of how you have the legs framed up. That is a pretty big weak point as you will have to screw down into the shallowest part of the board, with that any little torque on it side ways can snap wood on you. I'd run the legs all the way up to the table top and frame in between them so you are fastening through the thickest part. Hope that makes sense?

 

[W.Feather]

Looks pretty sturdy, 1 little suggestion though. Not a huge fan of how you have the legs framed up. That is a pretty big weak point as you will have to screw down into the shallowest part of the board, with that any little torque on it side ways can snap wood on you. I'd run the legs all the way up to the table top and frame in between them so you are fastening through the thickest part. Hope that makes sense?

ya, make the legs go straight up to the plywood right? dont know why that thought never occurred to me before.....see this is why i decided to post what i've gotten to


@jojo69 , thats the thing, i dont want "simple" i want/need the desk to look good, and more like a custom job

 

[jojo69]

right, I put the legs inboard of the top frame, then just use deck screws for a good simple joint

You have a router and jointer or you trying to do this with basic tools?

The way you have it framed now you are talking hardwoods and mortise joints, or dowels at a minimum, lots of work

 

[W.Feather]

i do have access to some of the non-basic tools need to find some time this week to rework the design to put the legs going all the way to the top

 

[hiodie]

I don't see where you are planning to add a farm? Might as well make it set up for at least 4 or 5 systems with 4 GPUs each

 

[W.Feather]

I don't see where you are planning to add a farm? Might as well make it set up for at least 4 or 5 systems with 4 GPUs each

i can technically fit.....7 systems in the desk in the same manner than the one is designed into it now (just a simple drop down there are...7 identical sized "boxes" underneath the desk on the frame).....highly considering putting the 2600k in there as well but thats for another time/place

 

[jojo69]

access to the one in the corner would be a bitch but I see what you mean

I took a different approach with the 19" RS310 standard racking system but that is not for everyone.

You might consider standalone rolling blocks like in my pic, I love them, makes access/wiring a breeze

 

[W.Feather]

its a thought, the general idea is to "hide" the wires behind the 1x6 that goes accross the back (for support and so the desk doesnt "sway"), and then up the legs to their destination......

jojo69 do you have any pictures of your frame? Or a rendering of sorts? (from the looks of it that sucker is holding up some serious weight)

 

[jojo69]

Its super simple, just 2x4 box 1.5" narrower than my desired bench depth. Legs inside the corners so you can screw them to both. You can add crossbraces or triangles if you want...in my case they are crammed in wall to wall so they have nowhere to go so I never implemented any bracing. The plywood tops are not even attached, except by gravity, which has yet to fail me.

 

[hiodie]

Its a personal preference, but I would have overhang on the desktop from the frame. Especially on the backside where the 1x6 is so you can have the desktop flush with the wall instead of being out ~3/4" or more from the wiring. I also think it hides the framing a little more.

 

[W.Feather]

hmmm, thats a good thought, never even thought of doing that (very easy fix in solid works, dam i love this software)

 

[Red Squirrel]

Nice! I like the simple desk concept. Lot of surface area. I've been toying with the idea of buillding a custom desk myself but don't really have a shop area setup yet, nor the tools, but working on it. One thing I'd love to do is take everything off the ground, wires, the PC, UPS, power bars etc... all raised. In fact, there would be no power bars. The desk itself would plug into the wall, then there would be an enclosed runner that is raised, where the UPS sits, and two plugs go into it which would feed the rest of the desk. There would be duplex plugs all over the desk at the right locations. Top would be UPS protected, bottom would not, or some other combination. I'd have a couple outlets on the surface too, no need to go under the desk to plug stuff in. I'd probably make them GFCI protected in case I spill a drink.

The PC itself would sit in an enclosure that is connected to the runner where the wires and stuff go. I would add some fans to circulate air from the front, through the runner, and the the back. There would be a screened/filter door to access the front of the pc.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Oh and what app is that? I usually use autocad for these things, but that app looks like it's more geared towards using premade construction material, instead of creating and figuring out the thicknesses.

 

[W.Feather]

one thought i've been throwing around in my head is "building in" a power strip near the window (its in the latest renderings need to finish the last few changes (leg primarilly.....probably do that tonight) and ill post some updated images of the new build....


though i like the idea that you put there Red Squirrel, build in a spot for all the cables to plug directly into....the desk and then one single cable.....very interesting idea......i think i need to go more detailed into the PC aspect then(still getting a feel for the new solid works, havent used it in over a year and a half, aside from this project)....


edit: Thats Solid Works, i did the base design, then to test the strength (not sure how all the simulator works yet) i applied a material to all parts (MDF/plywood and Pine i believe) for the tests....

 

[W.Feather]

big update, time wise atleast, tomorrow when its fully done.......i figured hell fixing the legs would be easy, it pretty much required me to rebuild(manually not the program) half the desk, the legs are done, just a few finishing touches (that probably only me would notice.....holes not being in perfect spots anymore and what not), and re add a few of the leg's supports......that and the window is not in atm, i have to redo that after the lab tomorrow.

 

[W.Feather]

Update incoming, check initial post, i have made most/all the changes in one way or another that were suggested here


edit: all up, for materials i was thinking possibly going with Oak for the framing, the wood is a bamboo(darker) i will try to get a picture this weekend of the flooring i'm using for the top, also need to focus more on the actual PC part of the desk(since this is a case mod work area, figure i should say somewhat on target )

 

[W.Feather]

well for anyone who remembers this or cared about it, i'm restarting work on it. Had summer class pick up and what not, got a few weeks to work on it....

Wood for top:

http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ca...ategoryId=495&sectionId=472&subCategoryId=503

waiting for a sale to happen for that


also a slight design change, i'm probably going to make it all square, get rid of the "curve" on the right portion, decided from the production standpoint it wont be the easiest way, add to it that it wont be the lost desk space......well hopefully i can get it started within the next few weeks.....also ordering one of these:

http://www.mountainmods.com/modular-motherboard-tray-10-pci-xlatx-p-533.html

thoguh may drop down to the 7 PCIe slot one....