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Building a new computer desk

VPrime said:
Is that MDF your using?
If so painting MDF sort of sucks. It soaks up paint. Buy good primer, and lots of paint.. LOTS. I think it took me 2 or 3 cans to paint a 1ft box.
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iBlue said:
Cool idea, sporadicMotion, and nice work so far!

This is so, so true. It's fine if you're prepared for it but I was a bit tonked off to have to go back to the hardware store for yet more paint when I had already bought what seemed like an abundance. I only used one coat of primer, that was a mistake. So just a heads up.
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Thanks for the heads up. I've been reading up on paint and I've been trying to gauge how much I am going to need for this as well as what primer. I've going to get a laminate work surface. From what I've been reading, this will be necessary to take the abuse of daily use as paint will not.

j3yq said:
How much did the materials cost?
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$260 (can) in total so far.

I still need to buy the laminate surface as well as the paint and supplies.

dlegend said:
any updates?
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I was busy the last couple days out of town but I'm home now so I'm getting back to it this weekend. I'm aiming to have the rest of the underside supports finished as well as the outer trim, screw holes filled, the edges rounded and 2 coats of primer on before Monday morning.

Pictures tomorrow!
 
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So I started filling the holes and gaps.

IMG_0582.jpg


Smoothed the edges out as well.

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Gonna smooth this joint out a bit.

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more in a bit...
 
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Underside brace is installed

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Then the front lip is put on. This will be used as a point to attach the leather arm pad.

IMG_0589.jpg


Time to fill in some holes and sand
 
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The upper rack section on the left has one coat of primer on it and the one on the right has 2. I also made the front cover for the left lower rack.

IMG_0593.jpg
 
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Thanks ya!

Moulding the base and prepping for primer.

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One coat of black base on the one upper.

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Bottom needs one more sand job, then primer time!

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I ordered the Formica top today. It's gonna be 3 weeks until it arrives which kinda sucks...
 
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I've been following this thread for a few days, and it's just getting better and better. That is going to be one amazing desk when you're finished. :)
 
Lets stain the oak side rails!

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Magic time laps of 8 hours...

Lets put the first coat of clear on!

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Now lets flip the desk, sand the paint relatively smooth and apply another coat of black. Sat the tops on the the top to give a more finished look :)

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The paint is starting to look nicer. 2 more coats with sanding inbetween and I think it'll done as far as a base coat is concerned. The front lip looks ugly (as do the sides) but these are parts that will be covered in leather and oak.

EDIT: I just spoke to a painter friend of mine. He's going to spray the upper rack pieces for me. They will look like glass. I have to wait 24 hours before I can sand them smooth for him to lay the final coats.

Also... after staring at those wonderful oak boards, I think I may make a few more oak accents for this thing. I need to put more though into this part.
 
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Thanks everyone! It's starting to look like a desk of some kind. It's a real bummer that I have to wait so long for the material for the top. The laminate (Formica) that home depot had in stock was all very appropriate for a kitchen... but not for a desk.

Any suggestions as to where else I could place some more wood accents?

I'm also considering redesigning the legs (since I haven't started those). Since the ikea lack tables have proved to be great legs for now, I have more time to play. I'm thinking something incorporating some aluminium into this... once again, any suggestions?
 
Fantastic work!

Like many others, I have always wanted to do something like this. It wouldn't be any time soon, but when I have my own house in the future, I'd like to start.

One question: What type of equipment did you need? Did you just draw the lines on the wood and get Home Depot to cut the wood for you, or did you need to buy a band-saw or something?
 
Abstract said:
Fantastic work!

Like many others, I have always wanted to do something like this. It wouldn't be any time soon, but when I have my own house in the future, I'd like to start.

One question: What type of equipment did you need? Did you just draw the lines on the wood and get Home Depot to cut the wood for you, or did you need to buy a band-saw or something?
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I figured out my dimensions first, then had home depot cut all of the pieces that were 90 degree angles. Then I used a jig saw to cut the angled pieces.

I couldn't resist rough fitting a side rail. They look a little dull because I just wet sanded them. Tomorrow they will be very shiny.

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I'm going to say avoid aluminium. I think it would clash, as you've already used stained oak and a black finish. :) I might reconsider that depending on how the oak ends up looking when it's finished though.
 
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