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Computer Desk design help...

3K views 18 replies 5 participants last post by  jbertelson 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am looking for, well, plans but not plans… I am really looking for ideas to come up with a smallish computer desk / Armoire for the master bedroom. The critical dimensions are…

#1. 24" keyboard tray width x 12" depth at least.
#2. Overall interior depth no shallower than 20" to allow for cases, and cables and still allow the doors to close.
#3. Construction primarily of ply, or pine. I am going for a "Mexican Rustic" look.
#3. Keyboard tray height at 26" from floor.

The Armoirse will need to house…

#1. Mid Tower case PC.
#2. SFF PC (media server, lots of HP in a very small box…).
#3. Laptop with Docking Station.
#4. KVM
#5. 24" flat screen monitor.
#6. HP All in one machine. Presently a PSC 1315, but wanting a newer WiFi enabled machine instead of one that needs a computer to act as a print server.
#7. Creative 5.1 surround system (will mount the satelites in the room, just need space for the center tweet, and subwoofer).
#8. VCR (no kidding, Yes I am still converting tape to digital files…)

I know the Mexican Rustic is a a long shot, but if you know of any plans that can at least give me ideas on how its done, I can go with it from there…
 
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#2 ·
Db, not sure if this will help or not but look into my projects and you will see an armoire computer desk that I built, if I had it to do over, I would have used Knotty Alder, much eaiser to work with.
 
#4 ·
I had to goggle Mexican Rustic furniture to see what you had in mind. After looking at several sites with the Mexican style. I thought right away that it has a lot of Mission flare in its design. Try looking for Mission style plans and just add the Mexican flare to it instead. Hope that helps.
 
#5 ·
I have a U shaped office desk setup, bought from an office supplies store about 6 or 7 years ago, and it looks like what it is, basically a commercial office setup. But the pertinent point is, I made three keyboard trays using drawer slides. The two smaller trays would probably be about what you need. My bigger central one is not even painted, because there has never been a day it wasn't in use! It is designed to hold a flightsim yolk or driving wheel, so is much beefier than the other two, and probably not something you need. The leading edge of the big one is actually 1.5" thick.

The smaller ones are rock solid and markedly better than anything I have seen ready made. They are simple 3/4" ply construction. Nails and glue construction, and attached with wood screws to the desk. They are simply spray painted to match the desk, which is gray, with reddish-brown wood grained work surfaces.

So, if you want design details on the keyboard drawer, let me know. If I had to do it over, I would do it exactly the same way. Simple construction, industrial strength and durability. The only significant expense is the heavy duty drawer slides, and they are pretty cheap.
 
#7 ·
Jim,

Methinks you might have the wrong idea.. I currently have a bedroom dedicated to use as a home office with a large U shaped computer desk set up somewhat along the lines of what you are talking about. I want to build my armoire / computer center to consolidate this in the master suite in order to make the bedroom that has turned office, turn back in to a bedroom.
 
#8 ·
I was really talking about the keyboard tray, I understand your idea. Just wanted you to know why I had three keyboard trays…......(-:

So anyway, if you want the keyboard tray design, I'll whip it up and send it…......

Later…...........
 
#9 ·
Ah, gotcha. Actually my plan is to use the existing slide hardware from my old commercially built desk. It is getting a bit disheveled as the particle board on it is 10+ years old now… I was planning on salvaging the hardware and chucking the particle board parts…

As far as keyboard drawers / trays were concerned. I was figuring 3/4" ply stock edge banded with some solid stock would be called for.

To call Mexican Rustic Mission doesn't do justice to either style… Yes there are a LOT of Mission elements to Mexican Rustic… The best way I can describe it to northern folks is this… Take Mission the mission style, build it intentionally distressed, and use hand wrought iron hardware, and hand made tile inlays. Typically you would build from a somewhat knotty pine, mesquite, or similar native wood, and the finish is typically a light oil type finish with some sort of satin sheen. I have literally seen artisans in Mexico using a mix of used, and fresh motor oil to get the color they wanted, and then rubbed down with melted bees wax to get the sheen… Obviously I am looking for a finish with less combustion by products than used motor oil… I an reasonably replicate the finish with 2-3 heavy rubbed coats of BLO, and then followed up with the bees wax, or satin urethane.
 
#10 ·
My keyboard drawers were made prior to my woodworking hobbyist days, so I didn't even think about edge banding. Now I would think it would be mandatory. They also wouldn't get installed prior to painting…......(-:

Guess I was desparate at the time…........

The 3/4 stock is more than adequate. The commercial stuff is usually a little flimsy in my opinion, although the hardware could be OK.

Hmmmmmmm, motor oil for stain? Gadzooks, seems to me that would be smelly furniture…......(-:
Guess the tolerance for odors must be different down there….......
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
That's crazy. Oh well, necessity is the mother of invention…...I wonder who the first guy was who tried it. He probably spilled some old motor oil on a board and noted over time that it stained it in a useful way. I have an old case made from plywood, about 30 years old. It holds two chain saws and miscellaneous equiment, including a small can of mixed gas and some chain oil. It was used to transort the saws a long distance on a gravel road to a cabin in the back of a pickup. It looks like the day I made it, and the saws look the same, although I haven't touched them in 25 years. But the inside of the case smells of oil.

I am sure that oil preserved the wood and the saws. Anybody want a case and two saws for nothing?
 
#13 ·
Tried sitting down with Sketchup last night to throw some ideas down, but LOML sidetracked me.

I may have found an importer in Houston that carries the rustic iron hardware I am wanting. Hammered strap hinges, and iron ring pulls. The issue I have with the pulls is then are the type you nail in and bend the nail once it is through (part of the pull). Asking to see if his MFG in Mexico can get the kind with screw bores. I don't even care if it is threaded. Just need a 5mm hole I can take care of the rest on my own! (assuming I can find my tap / die set after all these years!)
 
#14 ·
You definitely need a plan for this thing, since it involves moving parts.

I use taps and dies infrequently, but have a set handy. My current one was purchased at Sears about 15 to 20 years ago. I don't hesitate to drill into things and tap them. You might just buy one of the pulls and see if it can be modified easily….........
 
#17 ·
dbHost and JimF
Senior moment. I just realized I finally got my son-in-law to take it up to Fairbanks in his pickup last time he was here. I know that thing with contents weighs about 50 pounds, but will withstand all kinds of abuse in the back of a pickup. 3/4" Watco treated exterior ply takes quite a bit of abuse. It had a top that fit over a lip on the case so that water couldn't get. It was designed to carry those saws in rain and snow.

Now if I could find some way to give away some ham radio equipment, I would be really happy. Any Alaskan ham operators reading this?
 
#19 ·
It is some old HF equipment. One is a transceiver with tube finals and a tube driver, otherwise solid state. It is in working order I believe, Yaesu. I also have some old Heathkit stuff. Probably the best item is a 2kw linear, by Heathkit. I wouldn't fire it up without replacing the big electrolytics in it. Otherwise it should be in working condition as well. I would love to give this away to a club or someone who can't afford much, but who would be willing to do a little work on the linear.
 
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