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zw-gator

macrumors 6502a
Oct 23, 2005
698
5
Canada
Looks more steady & sturdy indeed... I am thinking of building one where I can store my external harddisk under

I believe this will fit my WD My Book underneath it, but I haven’t tried that yet.

If you build one, post some pics!
 

TheOnlyJon

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 25, 2009
677
1
Indianapolis
I'm wanting to make my own MStand-style laptop stand but the only DIY project I've found online that was similar involved a certain paper towel holder from IKEA which is unfortunately a three-hour drive from here...

Suggestions? I just don't feel like dropping $30-50 on a laptop stand that's little more than bent, brushed metal, even though it does look really slick. I'm sure I could come up with something just as good.

Ideas?
 

zw-gator

macrumors 6502a
Oct 23, 2005
698
5
Canada
I'm wanting to make my own MStand-style laptop stand but the only DIY project I've found online that was similar involved a certain paper towel holder from IKEA which is unfortunately a three-hour drive from here...

Suggestions? I just don't feel like dropping $30-50 on a laptop stand that's little more than bent, brushed metal, even though it does look really slick. I'm sure I could come up with something just as good.

Ideas?

Lego? Knex? Wood? Even popsicle sticks
 

andrewsd

macrumors 6502
Sep 27, 2008
333
0
USA/BAYERN(bavaria)
It's still a WIP hindered by a round of swine flu in the house, but we're doing the bathroom up. The shower broke so we though we should do the whole bathroom up as a wetroom. Scrapped that idea and decided to do the room up and stick in a steam shower cabin.

IMG_1770.jpg

The old bath
IMG_1772.jpg
IMG_1781.jpg
IMG_2175.jpg

That last one was taken today.
All to stick one of these beauties in;
9001.jpg


What is the brand of that shower called.. Looks insane. In a good way.
 

TheOnlyJon

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 25, 2009
677
1
Indianapolis
Lego? Knex? Wood? Even popsicle sticks

Something wood might be cool...don't get me wrong, K'nex and Legos would be totally functional, I'd just rather have something that matches the rest of the stuff on my desk. My monitor mount is a matte black metal, so maybe I can figure out something there...
 

partyBoy

macrumors 68000
Nov 8, 2009
1,558
0
Dilligaf
doing a custom in-wall shelf or also called 'wall niche', work in progress, ill post a pic when the project is done
 

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Drewski

macrumors regular
Jan 6, 2011
161
28
Somewhere else
Before

before.jpg


During

during.jpg


After, well pretty much done with the during, still a little more during to go...

after.jpg


And it has only taken me like 8 months or so.
 

partyBoy

macrumors 68000
Nov 8, 2009
1,558
0
Dilligaf
mid-progress, today i made the wall hole, fitted the shelf (with 2 screws) then i added the spackle (with some patches)...next picture will be the final product, i gotta sand it then paint it, the outside will be the same color as wall (creek gray) but the inside of the shelf will be a different color (dont know which yet)
 

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zwodubber

macrumors 6502a
Apr 1, 2011
529
0
PA
I have to get the pictures organized yet as this is an ongoing project. I'll get more before, during and final pics up tomorrow of the pictured rooms and the 2 bathrooms if you guys are interested.

Started this before actually moving in. Here's a preview:

The "pink room" before:

IMG_2837.jpg



during (still deciding on flooring):

IMG_1002.jpg


IMG_0923-1.jpg



Bedroom 1 before:

IMG_2833-1.jpg



During (painting and recessed lighting):


IMG_0937.jpg


IMG_0931.jpg



Like I said I have a ton of before during and after pics I just need to organize them. More bedrooms, living room, bathrooms, etc... Including lighting, rewiring and gutting.
 

partyBoy

macrumors 68000
Nov 8, 2009
1,558
0
Dilligaf
i re-designed the wall niche with an arch and flushed sides and top, looks much better and it prevents heat buildup from the backside of the ps3, next pic will be the final product...no more re-designing i swear
 

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Acorn

macrumors 68030
Jan 2, 2009
2,643
352
macrumors
i re-designed the wall niche with an arch and flushed sides and top, looks much better and it prevents heat buildup from the backside of the ps3, next pic will be the final product...no more re-designing i swear

you know its against fire code to have plugs run through your wall like that. if your house burns down because of it and they see that was the cause insurance will not pay for your house. I see people do this all the time with wall mounted tvs. you cant run the tv plug through the wall. Its a fire hazard and against code for a reason.
 

GoCubsGo

macrumors Nehalem
Feb 19, 2005
35,742
155
you know its against fire code to have plugs run through your wall like that. if your house burns down because of it and they see that was the cause insurance will not pay for your house. I see people do this all the time with wall mounted tvs. you cant run the tv plug through the wall. Its a fire hazard and against code for a reason.

I didn't know that. I've never done it but thought about it recently. You probably saved my life or at least my house. :D
 

Acorn

macrumors 68030
Jan 2, 2009
2,643
352
macrumors
I didn't know that. I've never done it but thought about it recently. You probably saved my life or at least my house. :D

yea I read about the fire code when i wanted to wall mount my tv. It says you cant run the plug and theres all these regulations and fire warnings .there is also sometimes a thing in the wall that is like flashing that your not suppose to drill through because its to stop the fire from spreading to the next floor if you live in a house with more then 1 floor.

I like the look when all the wires are hidden but i will do it properly and have an electrician install a plug behind it like your suppose to.
 
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GoCubsGo

macrumors Nehalem
Feb 19, 2005
35,742
155
Or you can cheap out and do the wiremold stuff. I did that in my kitchen for under counter lights and the wiremold can take stain or paint.
 

partyBoy

macrumors 68000
Nov 8, 2009
1,558
0
Dilligaf
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but plastering extension cords into your wall isn't exactly up to fire code.

its not an extension cord, the outlet and the wall hole is only a foot from each other

you know its against fire code to have plugs run through your wall like that. if your house burns down because of it and they see that was the cause insurance will not pay for your house. I see people do this all the time with wall mounted tvs. you cant run the tv plug through the wall. Its a fire hazard and against code for a reason.

i rent, i dont own...some landlords give permission some dont, mine does, fire codes are different from state to state
 

GoCubsGo

macrumors Nehalem
Feb 19, 2005
35,742
155
its not an extension cord, the outlet and the wall hole is only a foot from each other



i rent, i dont own...some landlords give permission some dont, mine does, fire codes are different from state to state

Holy ****. I would be pissed if a renter did that to my place. And your landlord doesn't decide whether it's code or not. He decides whether you're on the hook for that DIY project. :)
 

tjsdaname

macrumors 6502
Jun 18, 2009
354
5
cedar rapids IA
hope you don't mind if I post a knife I am working on....

I'm working on this right now, it started off as a lawn mower blade. still have a bunch of work left to do....

knifefinal.jpg
 

Acorn

macrumors 68030
Jan 2, 2009
2,643
352
macrumors
its not an extension cord, the outlet and the wall hole is only a foot from each other



i rent, i dont own...some landlords give permission some dont, mine does, fire codes are different from state to state

the fire code is not going to allow you to run plugs and extension cords inside the wall. i doubt anywhere that is ok. the landlord is taking a big risk. lets say you own a home and know a guy that is good with hooking up stuff and fixing lights. 2 weeks later if your house catches fire and the insurance company finds out you had someone who wasnt certified toying with the electrical they wont pay. they have to be certified. its pretty much the same thing with running power cords inside the walls. they wont pay if there is a fire because your not certified and your breaking fire codes.

the risk is all on you. you dont have to listen to me. so enjoy. i wouldnt do it.
 
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squeakr

macrumors 68000
Apr 22, 2010
1,603
1
the fire code is not going to allow you to run plugs and extension cords inside the wall. i doubt anywhere that is ok. the landlord is taking a big risk. lets say you own a home and know a guy that is good with hooking up stuff and fixing lights. 2 weeks later if your house catches fire and the insurance company finds out you had someone who wasnt certified toying with the electrical they wont pay. they have to be certified. its pretty much the same thing with running power cords inside the walls. they wont pay if there is a fire because your not certified and your breaking fire codes.

the risk is all on you. you dont have to listen to me. so enjoy. i wouldnt do it.

This is not entirely true. The people that are installing do not have to be certified. As long as code is maintained, there is nothing within the code that states the person needs to carry a specific certification to install (and an individual is allowed to work on their own dwellings, although this is not the case with renters). The certifications are there only to prove that someone has passed a test certifying that they know what they are doing. If they are charging they must have the certs in most regions, as a protection for the owners only, but if a friend is helping no law exists that they must have a cert only if they are charging as a business.

This is why Lowe's, Home Depot, and other home improvement places do so well as it is not against the law for do it yourself, and if the extension code is rated fro in wall use, then it is not against code to run such a cord (although you would be hard pressed to find one that meets that cert). Also, most people don't even realize the same applies to low voltage as well, and most installers don't use in wall approved hdmi and audi connect cables for TV mounts (I have inspected lots and they have no coding for in wall). Unless you are getting inspected most would never know this and will never care, you are trusting that the installer follows code, just because they are certified.
 

GoCubsGo

macrumors Nehalem
Feb 19, 2005
35,742
155
isnt it weird that he would talk about fire codes in a diy thread ?

No because us non-renters value this type of discussion in DIY threads. This is invaluable to protecting our purchases. You rent so the worse that will happen is your ugly PS3 dies in a fire.
 

squeakr

macrumors 68000
Apr 22, 2010
1,603
1
isnt it weird that he would talk about fire codes in a diy thread ?

I don't think so, at least to make people aware that they exist and codes exist regarding through wall mounting, as it is so popular these days.

No because us non-renters value this type of discussion in DIY threads. This is invaluable to protecting our purchases. You rent so the worse that will happen is your ugly PS3 dies in a fire.

I don't see how this is really applicable as there is no guarantee that either following or not following codes offers any substantial protection. Codes very so much by area and age of dwelling that unless this was a specific discussion of codes in your area, there is little that would guarantee the codes even apply to a specific situation. What wasn't mentioned is that extension cords can be mounted through the wall if they are tested for such mounts and in specific cases, if mounted in proper conduit don't even need that specific coding. This type of discussion in a public forum as directed by a non-certified inspector or installer is worth exactly what we paid for it.
 
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