Friday I decided I want a new desk...

[sporadicMotion]

I've been looking at desks for a while and just couldn't justify an expensive desk with my "studio" in such early stages

So friday, I designed a desk. Here's a summary of the design.



Saturday, I decided to give a test run due to the fact that I haven't built anything since shop class and that was 15 years ago. So I built the upper rack sections.



Sunday I ordered the materials for everything but the legs and wood trim. It all showed up this morning.



One rack box is getting there. ( The actual desk top will be sandwiched between the upper and lower portion )



... and now back to building.

[Mr Darcy]

Looking good so far. Just wondering, what's the point of the triangle portions extending from the 2U rack spaces, other than aesthetics?

Also, I have a Liquid Saffire 56 too.

[sporadicMotion]

Originally Posted by Mr Darcy

Looking good so far. Just wondering, what's the point of the triangle portions extending from the 2U rack spaces, other than aesthetics?

Also, I have a Liquid Saffire 56 too.

They're actually 8U per side.

Update.

Test before cutting rack holes.



Cutting!

[sporadicMotion]

... and now off to the hardware store.

[Mr Darcy]

Ahhhhh I see. I'm an idiot.

[sporadicMotion]

Last one for the evening. A quick mock up using ikea tables for legs :p

[takman]

good job.thumbsup

looks like you are using 1/2" or 3/4" MDF....that thing is going to weigh quite a bit when you are finished.

[sporadicMotion]

Originally Posted by takman

good job.thumbsup

looks like you are using 1/2" or 3/4" MDF....that thing is going to weigh quite a bit when you are finished.

3/4" except for the monitor shelves which are 1/2.

Under support is on as is the attached shelf. Did a rough cut of one of the lower covers.

[chris carter]

How exactly are you going to get your hands and eyeballs in those racks to hook up the gear?

[Toni-P]

Originally Posted by chris carter

How exactly are you going to get your hands and eyeballs in those racks to hook up the gear?

can't really judge unless I am sitting there, but it looks as if there is enough room in the back to fondle around with some cables.

[Magickman]

Originally Posted by chris carter

How exactly are you going to get your hands and eyeballs in those racks to hook up the gear?

Looks to me like the backs are open.

[sporadicMotion]

The back is open and I have not attached the upper sections of the racks yet. I plan on keeping the upper section detachable for potential future upgrades to available rack space.

[Adlen]

Looking good!

[sporadicMotion]

Update:

[sporadicMotion]

... and more ...












Waiting for the Formica desk surface to arrive. Only the base black coats are on... they still need a wet sand and a few more coats before the clear goes on. I need to motivate myself to start building the legs... why do these Ikea tables have to work so damn well.

[MichaelThomas]

Can't wait to see the finished product. Looks realll heavy, don't forget those casters (:

[Syncamorea]

The finish work is looking great! Keep those pics coming.

[Jules]

[sporadicMotion]

Sorry about the delay! Still waiting for the desk surface to arrive but it's time to try for piano black!

Quick wet sand and clear for the oak. It's gonna take a few more rounds of this before the edges are completely smooth but it's getting closer to what I want.



Wet sand



Spray coat of matte black. After this dries, I will wet sand and spray again then I will apply the clear.



About 5 coats/wet sands to go!

[The MPCist]

Looks great!!! thumbsup

[sporadicMotion]

I am unhappy with my attempt at gloss black. It's getting painted by a professional (and a friend) next weekend.

[chris carter]

Originally Posted by sporadicMotion

I am unhappy with my attempt at gloss black. It's getting painted by a professional (and a friend) next weekend.

I feel you on that. I made a somewhat similar, only slightly more complicated, desk recently and also painted the main surfaces black.

I think your biggest problem is the "gloss" part. Gloss finish shows EVERY problem so matter how minute. Plus, when you have it in the studio, it's a little too distracting as it acts like a giant mirror. I went with semi-gloss, which hides mistakes a little better and has just enough "bling" in the studio, but not so much that it reflects light into my eyes, doesn't show my painting skills, and doesn't need to be dusted every 10 minutes.

That said, I TOTALLY FEEL YOU ON THE FRUSTRATION PART! I was not happy with my paint job either. The one thing I can say though is that nobody that's come in the studio can tell, they are all very impressed. When it's loaded with gear, you won't notice as much. So don't beat yourself up about it.

[Virtalahde]

I built speakers and painted the baffle with several layers of matte black, sanded between the layers. After this I applied many coats of clear, shiny laquer for a semi-gloss surface.

The real trick with the surface was to finish it off by rubbing for a long time it with a soft-ish cloth. This took away the tiny drops of laquer that made the finish look, well, like it was painted with a spray can.

Don't know if it helps with a glossy surface, though. A pro probably still does a better job.

[Radiance]

Very nice build!
One thing though...maybe those empty cavities (where your cd are laying now) are going to act as resonators because your speakers are on top.
You might want to close them with a panel so they become boxes and fill these with sand. This way they will not resonate and become like speaker stands giving a more solid base for your speakers. (and maybe a more solid bass ;-))

You should be able to find out at which frequency they resonate by tapping on them and fiddling around with a sine wave...

[sporadicMotion]

Originally Posted by Radiance

Very nice build!
One thing though...maybe those empty cavities (where your cd are laying now) are going to act as resonators because your speakers are on top.
You might want to close them with a panel so they become boxes and fill these with sand. This way they will not resonate and become like speaker stands giving a more solid base for your speakers. (and maybe a more solid bass ;-))

You should be able to find out at which frequency they resonate by tapping on them and fiddling around with a sine wave...

You're probably right. However, after the desk is "done", I may scrap the existing tops and put in tops with angled backs and then build some speaker stands. If i decide to leave the existing tops, i will be boxing off the back shelf and i will put some thought into some sand (Y).

[chris carter]

Originally Posted by sporadicMotion

You're probably right. However, after the desk is "done", I may scrap the existing tops and put in tops with angled backs and then build some speaker stands. If i decide to leave the existing tops, i will be boxing off the back shelf and i will put some thought into some sand (Y).

I had that exact same dilemma regarding the table-top racks. I ultimately went with speakers on stands to avoid the resonance problems. One major upside is that my table top racks are huge allowing me to mount small format mixers in them

One thing is for sure though, you are going to be SO FREAKIN' HAPPY with your desk when it's done. There's nothing quite like a custom desk that fits your body and ergonomics and has everything right where you want it instead of settling for whatever Argosy desk was 'close enough'. It does look like it's going to be an absolutely beautiful desk too Congrats in advance

[sporadicMotion]

So I received the Formica! So lets get to work...





Cut to size...





Test fit.



More in a bit.

[sporadicMotion]

Formica is cut to size. I asked a friend to come help me with the Formica. He ended up being the photographer. :p



Adhesive time!





Time to press it into place





Don't mind the mess (Y)

[sporadicMotion]

I've decided the extra formica I have in my possession is going to go on the lower portions of the racks to make for a bit more consistent look. I'm thinking of rebuilding the upper portion of the 8U spaces and moving to angled backs instead. Other than that, I need to make the oak rack spacers, the legs and the leather arm rest (which happens on Tuesday)!

[AnthonyRochester]

looks nice