Little sumpin sumpin

[Neuromancer]

I have no real tools, would loveto work with metal. But tools are expensive, even though metal is easier to work with and you can build lighter stronger stuff.. I am limited to my measly 50 dollar tools, and a my Aunt's 150 table saw.

So first thing I threw together..

$3 dollars worth of wood. $2 worth of brackets, a few coarse thread drywall screws out of a $5 box. 75 minutes of free time. And I still cant believe that people pay for bench stations. WTF

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_Picture022.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=Picture022.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3473.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3473.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3474.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3474.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3476.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3476.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3477.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3477.jpg)

Next up my real project. I hate buying desks, cause you can not get a good one for less than $300. Most desks are also not really intuitively designed for PC users, especially use serious enthusiasts. Next posts are my log for last couple of days worth of work. It is a learning process. And by my 3rd desk intend to have it done right (and will have spent $300 by then)

[Neuromancer]

This desk is designed with a few features in mind.

Wide pedestal is server specific 19" wide internally. Currently designing a "bench station" of sorts for the bottom shelf standing at a little more that 8" tall. Next two shelves are both 6" tall for audio or server case components.

Left pedestal will hold a full tower case if needed. at 10" wide 23" tall and 20" deep. Both pedestals will have open backs. Also (to be designed later) thinking of going with old school speaker cover type of door. IE That cloth free flowing material, in a nice brown to match the stain I am using :)


Was originally going to use a counter top but Lowe's decided it was more important to stick in my bung than sell counter top at a reasonable price. So instead of going to the 'pot, I just grabbed some 8" planks of white board and made my own desktop. No clamps or glue were used in the making of this and some 120 grit was used to make everything nice and even
got a slight gap between 2 boards. Will be redone later with 4 planks and all of them refinished for true 90 degree flatness.

this setup is completely modular. IE the desktop drops right in on the two pedestals. Fits great and when finished I will upload a video of how easy this desk is to put together. (Meant to be movable. May also add wheels later.. have not decided yet, on pergot floor, so might just go with furniture slides on the bottom instead to distribute the weight).
Without further ado

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3479.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3479.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3482.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3482.jpg)
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_Picture025.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=Picture025.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_Picture026.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=Picture026.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_Picture027.jpg
(http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=Picture027.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_Picture028.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=Picture028.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_Picture029.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=Picture029.jpg)

[K404]

Sweet! I've made something very similar that gets rebuilt every few months to accommodate new gear, new layout ideas etc. Im not especially great at DIY but I enjoy it and yea... I get a setup thats exactly how I want :)

[Malpine Walis]

Props on the desk dude. Any time we do DIY projects like that, it is always worthwhile.


Personally, I have about $50 of modular wire shelving from Target myself. It is cheap, it works and I can change it around as my needs change.


The only thing is that I would tend to be careful with that Pergo flooring. Without knowing which specific product you have, I really can't get specific but the general idea of Pergo is to have a nice looking layer on top of cheap underlayment. Often, the nice looking part is about as thick as a photograph. If that is what you have, then when you need to move it, it is better done by picking it up and moving it properly.

[Archer]

And what will the main use be? new desk? or work station?

[Neuromancer]

Props on the desk dude. Any time we do DIY projects like that, it is always worthwhile.


Personally, I have about $50 of modular wire shelving from Target myself. It is cheap, it works and I can change it around as my needs change.


The only thing is that I would tend to be careful with that Pergo flooring. Without knowing which specific product you have, I really can't get specific but the general idea of Pergo is to have a nice looking layer on top of cheap underlayment. Often, the nice looking part is about as thick as a photograph. If that is what you have, then when you need to move it, it is better done by picking it up and moving it properly.


Yah it is cheap ass flooring. I have considered that already, and nixed the idea of using 8 casters to keep the desk mobile.

I already ripped up about 500 sq ft of it and replaced it with indian slate for Aunt. (Pics are upladed in my handyman photobucket account which is set for public viewing, so you can look at the pics if you like by clicking one of the above thumbnails I believe). Love doing tile it is the perfect blend of precise measurements and "eyeballing" lol

I instead picked up some cheap felt floor protectors for furniture. Will probably upgrade them to those teflon furniture movers later, but I was a that the local HW yesterday and 2 2" furniture slides were $10 probably much cheaper at the 'pot or Lowes.

Think I am done cutting wood. Since I do not have audio equipment here yet, decided that temporarily I would make a nice deep draw for hte top two shelves on the 19" wide piece. Going to assemble that today, finish the motherboard tray, and get the pedestal, tray and drawer stained today. When that is done going to poly the desktop, and maybe a second coat tomorrow. The second coat of stain on the desktop really makes it pop, and I am foregoing 2 coats on the other pieces, even though it really would be better not to. (Will see how stain I have left and maybe I will toss a second coat just on the fronts)

Should have this finished and assembled in my room by Friday.

It might not be the prettiest thing ever, but it was fun and meets my needs (and costs about the same as a smaller cheap POS particle board desk I could get at Staples or Wally World)

[Neuromancer]

And what will the main use be? new desk? or work station?

And what exactly is the difference :)


Primarily desk, second purpose is computer/electronics workstation. Eventually want to get a magnifying lamp for soldering, and maybe extend the back a few inches to integrate a power strip.

Neuro thanks for the IDEA, home made WS gallery, and stick it:) Yours will be the first.

Cool :)

[Archer]

Thread back home

[Neuromancer]

Still have to finish hte motherboard tray (you can see it installed in hte bottom of the large pedestal) tap in the floor protectors, poly the top and come up with a door for the CPU area, and the small pedestal.

Was originally planning on making a door out of the material that used to come on speaker grills, because it would blend well and breath, but thinking I might just go solid wood with fans mounted to it. Pretty sure that is exactly what I am doing come to think of it :)

I have a couple of small brass hinges that will work well on the large pedestal, still not sure what I am going to do with the little one. Probably will just put my empty NZXT zero in it for now lol

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3491.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3491.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3493.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3493.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3494.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3494.jpg)
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3495.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3495.jpg)

[Neuromancer]

Got the silly little temporary fan door on bottom pedestal, just stained it. Only temporary though till I can get some more wood and steel strap to build something nicer :)

Also think I am going to go with the threaded rod with steel strap for the PCI expansion support. So another $30 worth of supplies including another can of stain (for small pedestal door) and I should be good to go.

First coat of poly is on the top, and read the can, takes 72 hours to fully cure :( However 3-4 hours after first coat is on I can sand and apply 2nd coat. Which means in the morning. This would mean, no desk till Sunday though. (Well either way I guess no desk till Sunday :p May poly coat the keyboard tray too. Have not decided yet.

Anywho Should have pics of it up tomorrow fully assembled and ready for curing time to finish up so it can go in the bedroom Depending on how the finish turns out in the shed, I may actually poly it in the bedroom :o Just to get that perfect finish.

[Neuromancer]

Been too busy to get this finished up right...


Here is the desk in use right now (temporary) still need to build IPC tray (integrated PC) cant find standoffs so that got nixed for today.

After I get that finished up the wire management clips will be installed. Than I will work on a optical tray and front panel buttons up near the KB tray, and probably build a door for the left pedestal.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3505.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3505.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3511.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3511.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3512.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3512.jpg)

Video of it being assembled did not turn out, but it dropped into place easy peasy and my thoughts of having to screw the table top to the pedestals to keep it stable, was not necessary :)

I did a pretty good job of matching the color of the furniture in the room as well :) (see the nightstand next to the desk in the 2nd shot)

[Neuromancer]

Not happy with the IPC, going to have to be rebuilt as a dual layer setup I think. Out of time today though. MAybe Tuesday I can develop another strategy.

Regardless here is the work so far

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3513.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3513.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3514.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3514.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3515.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3515.jpg)http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_100_3516.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=100_3516.jpg)

[Neuromancer]

WHEEE

Changed my mind about the IPC, still not happy with the layout, but VERY happy with hte results.

my AMD 920 now boots at 3850MHz :) 13.5 x 275. Which is funny as earlier last night that was the max OC I could get lol.

4890 running 1000/1100 stock volts :)

Going to play with voltage controls on the 4890 later, see what I can scare up in 3d benches as well :)

[Archer]

look's good glad you are having fun:)

[Neuromancer]

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_stuff004-1.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=stuff004-1.jpg)
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/th_stuff005-1.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/?action=view&current=stuff005-1.jpg)

New case for the i7 setup, to be installed in hte left pedestal. Will take a little modding to the desk, but I want to raise it anyway. So should be good to go :)

Goign to finish it up tomorrow sand stain and paint the mobo tray, and rad fasteners


Big open spot in the front os for a 4x120mm rad. Thin opening is for support, a DVDRW and a fan controller.

Later will get 2 buttons (power and reset) and a front panel USB device

[EnJoY]

New case for the i7 setup, to be installed in hte left pedestal. Will take a little modding to the desk, but I want to raise it anyway. So should be good to go :)

Goign to finish it up tomorrow sand stain and paint the mobo tray, and rad fasteners


Big open spot in the front os for a 4x120mm rad. Thin opening is for support, a DVDRW and a fan controller.

Later will get 2 buttons (power and reset) and a front panel USB device

Cool man, I'll be interested to see pics of the finished working product. :up:

[Neuromancer]

Heh heh nothing is ever "finished" with me LOL

But hoping that working on this case will get my head back in focus, been in a fog the last month. (Which is how long I have had the wood and tools to get working on the case, I can't even write :( )

[Neuromancer]

Mostly finished. Still needs a front panel, a good cleaning and a stained piece of wood mounted in hte 3rd 5.25" "bay" But good enough for now, bled the loop and let it run for a little while to make sure it was not going to blow any gaskets should be up and running tonight :)

Case cost... ~$23 although I have enough wood and stain left over to finish drawers for my desk

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/case003.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/case004.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/cyber42punk/Handyman/case005.jpg

[Archer]

:eek::eek:Neuro DUST?????:eek::eek:

Looks like a lot of work went into that so far. And looking good:cool:

[Neuromancer]

Yah I was rolling the case around on the floor, thats why it is all dusty lol between putting it together and then bleeding the loop it picked up a little dirt.

I honestly have got to get out of this house, I sweep my floor about 8 times a day, and STILL its dusty.

[EnJoY]

Looks great! :D:up:

But I think you need to trim those water tubes, too long for there they go. ;)

[Neuromancer]

Yah the reason for the extra length leading to the waterblock is so I can pull the block and hang it over the side of the case so I can work on the motherboard. Everything else is just the right length. (Darn close to being too short :( )

[Archer]

Yah I was rolling the case around on the floor, thats why it is all dusty lol between putting it together and then bleeding the loop it picked up a little dirt.

I honestly have got to get out of this house, I sweep my floor about 8 times a day, and STILL its dusty.

Actually I was speaking about the dust that can get in not everywhere else. Forgive me I an a filtration phreak.

[Neuromancer]

Yah thats what the filters are on the rad for. The back I left open for air flow mainly, the fans on high can cycle the air in the case a little more than 6 times a second.

I would have preferred full cover filters but these were cheap enough.

Its all moot anyhow, its being cut up and sold :(