Scratch Build – In Progress [Ice's Desk] - work in progress - Update: Dec. 03, 2015 - Baby's first steps!

Introduction:

Hey all,

I'm proud to present my scratch desk build, i'm working on it since couple of months (thinking, drawing and designing) and (btw) is still in progress.

So, I finally started to make it real last August. I wait until now to begin the project log because i had no skill in wood working so i wanted to be sure that i could accomplish the work before showing something to everyone.

Btw, it's a desk so thanks to all great modders who made one before me, i saw plenty of great build out there, you inspire people like me!

Ok, no more fluffy things !!!


The Project:

Let's start this:

At first, i wanted a "L" shaped desk, but after couple of thinking on how i could made it, i rejected the idea and pushed for a more traditionnal desk concept.

I did many sketches from different shape, different size and this is the one i choose to be realized, because the place where i will be sitting will give relatively the same comfort as the "L" shaped desk when you are sitting at the corner.

The give an idea of dimensions the desk will be :
72 inches wide
30 inches depth
32 inches height

Basic design:





Starting Build:

A whole day of spent to cut the top desk:





Test on fitting and bending the first side panel:





I was very impressed of the result for the first shot!

Times is missing now so more to come soon. I have a couple of steps already done that i will update when i get a minute or two.

If you have a comment, advice or anything else, go go go, i wanna read it!!

Stay tuned, brb soon.

Ice

 

Looking good so far Ice, them MDF bends are perfect!

 

Thanks, it's more work than i though at the beginning, but it's worth it!

 

Update

Ok, I put my 2 angel / demon kids to bed, so lets go for the next update!!!

Update:

Test on fitting the second side panel:








Corner and middle cutted:







That step was really painful, let me explain:

I had to manipulate the side panel a couple a of times to take measures, cut a corner, check if all fits , manipulate again, adjust cuts etc...

During this step, i broke 4 sides panels because the kerfs weaken panels so it was very difficult to manipulate without breaking it. So i had to do some more panels than expected

After, autumn was coming and daylight was shorter, so i lost many days to make a makeshift workshop in my shed!! lol (you will see in next few pics)

Once workshop done, i cutted holes for fans on each side and the back, i had to make a jig for holes size of 240mm and 360mm and cutted hole with the router:





Once i again, i broke 1 more side panel... very frustrating

That's it for now more to come soon!!

Comments and advice are welcome!

Ice

 

hardware

For those who want to know more about the hardware, i will start with my current rig and add update when i will be there so there it is:

The specs will be the following:

Hardware:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GD65
Memory: G.SKILL Sniper Series 16GB(2x8) DDR3 (will be updated to 32GB with corsair)
GPU: Asus HD6950 (the first thing I will upgrade!!! going for SLI with GTX 980 series)
PSU: Antec True Power Quattro 850 Watt (need to upgrade to a modular psu 1000w+ with corsair)
Storage: Corsair SSD Force LS 240GB x 2 + WD 500GB x 2
​

Cooling:

Did'nt put my mind on specific part yet but the idea is to have a hardtubed watercooling with:

Waterblock: For CPU and GPUs will go with EKWB witch nickel and acrylic style
Radiators: 2 x 360mm not sure yet between EKWB and Darkside
Tank: Not sure yet if i go with DIY or with 2 or 3 x tube tank
Fans: 10 x Corsair Air Series SP120, the only things i'm sure because it's already bought
Pump: 2 or 3 x D5 pump
​

Anyway, i still have a long way to there and have plenty of time to make choice on which parts will be upgraded and how it will be cooled.

First, I need to finish:

1. building, painting, lightning the desk
2. add controllers (fan, power buttons, IO ports (usb, jack etc)
3. add the mounting parts for hardware
4. sleeve wires
5. and some more surprises to come!

Btw, i'm not sponsored and it's not my first intend so, i will have to make some choice based on my budget!!

 

Looking good

 

update

Update:

Panels was not permanently fixed, so i fixed that, glued and screwed! no panel broken during manipulation !!



Started top panels, so first i made the default shape to fit to the desk and after i grooved inside the board to let it sit perfectly on top of the desk.





Once this done, started to fill corner with mastic to make it more smooth





Before, i apply mastic to all desk, i put the middle panel with hole cutted for motherboard IO port



That's pretty much where i am now on the desk, i started legs this week so when it will be done, i will add more pics

Comments and advice are always welcome!

Ice

 

love the rounded fronts. Really nice look!

 

I'd love to move somewhere where I can have a little workshop/garage to build my own custom enclosure but for now I'll have to settle on gawking at other people's brilliant work.


Loving how this is all coming together and that it's really starting to take the shape of your renders.

One thing that's often not mentioned on scratch builds like this is the cost of materials, I'm always curious how much people spend on projects like these (not including components).

 

Thanks suenstar, i did'nt buy all i need yet for the build, but when it will, i will post the approximative cost!

 

That'd be cool.
Hopefully you'll have less breakages with the remaining work, I'm sure those gradually stack up in cost.

Are you planning on putting any kind of lighting into the clear panels that are located between the desk's legs?

 

Damn... you break my punch!! lol

But, yeah some lighting effect are planned for those legs, but i hope i can keep the surprise on how they will look at the end!

 

Update: Nov. 20, 2015

It's time for an update:

Update:

Before starting, always useful to sketch something:



A lot of cuts for those legs, btw acrylic is not white, i did'nt remove the protective layer yet



Let's go with the real work:

I had to route board where to put acrylics











Next, assembly, glued and screwed:







Test with some light through:



Final result:





Added, power socket to one legs to help manage wires later:













And just for fun, a lot of mess got from broken top side panels, some where already thrown away, other used for jigs and this is what's left.





As always, comments and feedback are welcome!

Stay tuned for more

Ice

 

My Baby's first steps!

Update: My Baby's first steps!

Not a big update but a full time consuming on filling and sanding.
And by the side, I finally got some helps to bring the baby to the house and put it on his legs for the first time!!!

 

Looking good.

 

Lovely work with the curves !

 

Thanks, it's more work than intended, but it's looks until now!

 

My daughter would love that play room
Looking good Ice

 

Thanks, Btw, my son and my daughter love the play room too!

 

What's the weight like on the desk when empty ? and to check have you reinforced the joints/fasteners against any stress and strains when moving it around if it is/will be really heavy, especially when it's full of hardware ?