DIY Thread

tikkus · 06-05-2008, 07:50 PM

I was going to post this in the couple's gaming thread by Grobbee but I saw the interest from his desk construction and thought it'd be sweet if there was a consolidated post for all our DIY projects.

I imagine Tuco is going to win the thread.

But anyway:

Inspired by Grobbee I decided to build a desk of my own. Rather than just building a simple desk, I thought I'd add in some features I feel would add exponentially to my gaming experience.

1.) A cup-holder. I spill drinks a lot in fits of rage.

2.) A built in compartment for a garbage can. Those little wastebaskets don't cut it but I still don't want to be so sleazy that I have a full sized garbage can in my bedroom.

So far, I've drawn up the design for my endeavor in Google Sketchup and figured I'd start the thread by posting that. I should start construction soon, assuming I don't get much busier.

James · 06-05-2008, 08:09 PM

Quick note, make sure the garbage can is easily accessible. If you were planning on sticking that thing in a corner you are probably going to kick yourself in the ass later on down the line. Likewise, make sure you put a door hinge on the open side.

tikkus · 06-05-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Quick note, make sure the garbage can is easily accessible. If you were planning on sticking that thing in a corner you are probably going to kick yourself in the ass later on down the line. Likewise, make sure you put a door hinge on the open side.

Yeah I was going to make that whole part detachable and hopefully modular so I could switch sides anytime I wanted.

brekk · 06-05-2008, 08:49 PM

Ummmm my current big summer projects... basically DIY.

1) New Timing Belt for my car

2) Buy a kit and solder up my own standalone PCM for my car.

3) I have a piece of glass that is the sign part of a phone booth from NYC (Bell symbol and PHONE next to it) I want to get some picture framing for it make a box with a backlight so it lights up on my wall. Right now its just a piece of glass sitting on the door trim to my room.

4) I have an extra 12" subwoofer sitting around, im gonna make a horn box for it out of MDF. Acts like a horn folded up, allows VERY high dB.

5) Finish third party firmware/fan on my router.

edit: my family lives for DiY, I dont like paying others to do something for me, I'd rather spend the money to learn how do it myself.

EmpireF4i · 06-05-2008, 09:21 PM

DIY for me usually involves my hand and some lotion...

Salshun · 06-05-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmpireF4i

DIY for me usually involves my hand and some lotion...

I take it then that your soundproofing of the bathroom went ok?

Coming this fall: Hand shaving & learning braille.

GrobbeeTrull2.0 · 06-06-2008, 09:14 AM

My advice: If you're going to have that many cabinents and shelves, don't use the 3/4" MDF I did. It'll get heavy, fast.

Zistrix · 06-06-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tikkus

I was going to post this in the couple's gaming thread by Grobbee but I saw the interest from his desk construction and thought it'd be sweet if there was a consolidated post for all our DIY projects.

I imagine Tuco is going to win the thread.

But anyway:

Inspired by Grobbee I decided to build a desk of my own. Rather than just building a simple desk, I thought I'd add in some features I feel would add exponentially to my gaming experience.

1.) A cup-holder. I spill drinks a lot in fits of rage.

2.) A built in compartment for a garbage can. Those little wastebaskets don't cut it but I still don't want to be so sleazy that I have a full sized garbage can in my bedroom.

So far, I've drawn up the design for my endeavor in Google Sketchup and figured I'd start the thread by posting that. I should start construction soon, assuming I don't get much busier.

Don't forget some braces to connect both sides of the desk. This can be just a straight cut or a fancy crosscut. Do you really need that much space for a garbage can? I would also suggest not going with the open shelving. Perhaps cut the shelves 3/4" in from the frame and then put some flush doors.

Also - What I assume to be the CPU tower storage on the left - Cut some holes based on your tower configuration for vented ports, unless your cooling is front to back. This would also be another good space for a nice door, maybe even glass with holes for airflow.

The cupholder - I cut a rounded bottom piece and then put a piece of cork in there for liquid absorption.

tikkus · 06-06-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zistrix

Don't forget some braces to connect both sides of the desk. This can be just a straight cut or a fancy crosscut. Do you really need that much space for a garbage can? I would also suggest not going with the open shelving. Perhaps cut the shelves 3/4" in from the frame and then put some flush doors.

Also - What I assume to be the CPU tower storage on the left - Cut some holes based on your tower configuration for vented ports, unless your cooling is front to back. This would also be another good space for a nice door, maybe even glass with holes for airflow.

The cupholder - I cut a rounded bottom piece and then put a piece of cork in there for liquid absorption.

It was gonna be a full size garbage can, but I haven't made any of the measurements so far - that was just a rough sketch of what I envision. The open shelves were going to be for my books so I was just going to leave them open. The door on the CPU compartment is a good idea though, I'll probably do that.

I'm not sure how I'm going to do the cup holder yet, not sure of the depth of material I'm going to use.

Speaking of which: What material do you suggest for my purpose? I thought about making this first one out of cheap particle board and if it worked out moving on to a more expensive and elegant wood.

LexarkT11 · 06-06-2008, 10:39 AM

depending on if you are right or left handed, you may want to move the cup holder so it doesn't interfere with your FPS mouse madness.

BigMovieBuff · 06-06-2008, 10:46 AM

What kind of finish are you going to use?

Are you going cover it with laminate? use 5/8" MDF or particle board.

Are you going to stain + varnish it? use 5/8" or 3/4" birch or oak plywood.

Or you could use particle board with melamine on both sides.

tikkus · 06-06-2008, 11:01 AM

Ideally I'd like to stain varnish it, but if the cost difference between particle board and oak is too large I'll just go with particle board and cover it with laminate. Its mainly a test project, I'd like to get into doing some woodworking and figured this would be the best way to get my feet wet.

brekk · 06-06-2008, 02:11 PM

You could do everything out of 5/8 MDF, and do just the desktop piece out of nice plywood.

GrobbeeTrull2.0 · 06-06-2008, 04:06 PM

I'd also suggest 5/8th MDF. If I could do this desk all over again, that's what I'd use. Also, make sure to buy a non-latex wood putty if you're going to counter-sink your screws. Latex wood putty sucks.

porkyrogue · 06-06-2008, 05:13 PM

I had a desk with a door for the CPU, after about 1-2 months I never shut the door and it was useless most of the time. But at the same time it's good for that once in a blue moon, "clean look".

If you still want to add a giant trash can

inside your desk. I wouldn't bother with a hinge, just rethink your lid. It would save your wall from scratches, etc and/or additional hardware.

Maybe make something like this?

06-05-2008, 07:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
tikkus Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,219 -3 Internets	DIY Thread I was going to post this in the couple's gaming thread by Grobbee but I saw the interest from his desk construction and thought it'd be sweet if there was a consolidated post for all our DIY projects. I imagine Tuco is going to win the thread. But anyway: Inspired by Grobbee I decided to build a desk of my own. Rather than just building a simple desk, I thought I'd add in some features I feel would add exponentially to my gaming experience. 1.) A cup-holder. I spill drinks a lot in fits of rage. 2.) A built in compartment for a garbage can. Those little wastebaskets don't cut it but I still don't want to be so sleazy that I have a full sized garbage can in my bedroom. So far, I've drawn up the design for my endeavor in Google Sketchup and figured I'd start the thread by posting that. I should start construction soon, assuming I don't get much busier. Attached Images

06-06-2008, 10:39 AM	#10 (permalink)
LexarkT11 Forever the Sickest Kid Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toledo/Mentor, Ohio Posts: 651 -14 Internets	depending on if you are right or left handed, you may want to move the cup holder so it doesn't interfere with your FPS mouse madness. __________________ (WAR) Mutalis - Magus - Dark Cragg

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06-05-2008, 09:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
EmpireF4i Right as the mail Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,448 -27 Internets	DIY for me usually involves my hand and some lotion...

06-06-2008, 09:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
GrobbeeTrull2.0 Proud Communist Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,351	My advice: If you're going to have that many cabinents and shelves, don't use the 3/4" MDF I did. It'll get heavy, fast.

06-06-2008, 10:46 AM	#11 (permalink)
BigMovieBuff Perennially Disappointed Lions Fan Join Date: May 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 616 +13 Internets	What kind of finish are you going to use? Are you going cover it with laminate? use 5/8" MDF or particle board. Are you going to stain + varnish it? use 5/8" or 3/4" birch or oak plywood. Or you could use particle board with melamine on both sides.

06-06-2008, 11:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
tikkus Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,219 -3 Internets	Ideally I'd like to stain varnish it, but if the cost difference between particle board and oak is too large I'll just go with particle board and cover it with laminate. Its mainly a test project, I'd like to get into doing some woodworking and figured this would be the best way to get my feet wet.

06-06-2008, 04:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
GrobbeeTrull2.0 Proud Communist Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,351	I'd also suggest 5/8th MDF. If I could do this desk all over again, that's what I'd use. Also, make sure to buy a non-latex wood putty if you're going to counter-sink your screws. Latex wood putty sucks.

06-06-2008, 05:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
porkyrogue Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 64 +0 Internets	I had a desk with a door for the CPU, after about 1-2 months I never shut the door and it was useless most of the time. But at the same time it's good for that once in a blue moon, "clean look". If you still want to add a giant trash can inside your desk. I wouldn't bother with a hinge, just rethink your lid. It would save your wall from scratches, etc and/or additional hardware. Maybe make something like this?