Since I am new here, hello to everyone. Here is almost the exact desk that I have: http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?id=418638 Mine is an earlier version where the bottom parts are backwards, unable to get to the computer/drives/etc without having to reach around. So the idea to install my entire computer to free up a bit of space, allow easier access to the drives, easier cleaning/maintenance, has been going through my head for a couple of years now. What I am planning on doing is installing everything in the right side of the upper hutch, eventually having it covered with something over the front to keep dust out and maybe have a design/lights/whatever...the very top left part of the same side will hold my cd/dvd drives. I plan on stealthing them to have them match. Pretty much I have this whole side available to work with, but I plan on doing it with as little money involved as possible, but am willing to spend on whatever I need. I would like to know what are some of your ideas for a project like this...and if there is anything I need to do for my motherboard instead of installing it with mounts on the wood like for grounding purposes? Thanks...
you should get a motherboard tray (eg cut one out of a donor case) to mount the computer on so that the PCI cards are supported. sounds like a cool project, i look forward to seeing what you come up with. with a project like this it is always a good idea to map everything out in sketchup before you start so you have a complete plan and don't end up making a mistake and wrecking your desk. welcome to the forums.
Well, after reading your post, I downloaded Sketchup and began working...I could have used 3ds Max, but this program is a bit simpler for the needed project. I layed out the entire portion that was going to be modded, minus all the computer parts inside. Then the most unfortunate thing happened: My wife came home from work!!! She doesn't think this would be a good idea, as it takes away from some of the desk space (a small portion where we keep pencils and notepads). Now, "we" are going to make an entire new desk from scratch. Looking through the forums, "we" found this project with all the spiffy lights: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=150117 and this somewhere else: http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14130 Since the current desk puts the user sitting approximately 5' away from the corner, she wants something more efficient, that takes up sightly less space outwards from the wall, but adds more space to the side for me to have my (little) area for my laptop. In our current residence (which we rent), there is only 1 corner that will allow use to do such a layout, so it will really never move from there, but will need to be able to come apart if I ever need to move to another residence. A few other things I am taking into account is I am wanting to get another desktop for myself...this laptop was intended for school, and is not efficient for the multimedia projects that I work on. So I am thinking of a "U" shaped desk, giving us both access to each computer, and having the laptop setup in the middle. Regardless, I am really wanting 1 "centralized" location for the computers to go, that allows easy access for cleaning/unhooking wires/installing hardware/etc... Also, external mounted card readers, earphone jacks, USB's, the works. The only real modding I have done was cutting like 3 additional holes in her desktop to add more fans, and a test PSU just for fun. So this is going to be a huge project that "we" are taking on. I have access to just about any wood-working tools that I might need as my grandfather has loads of stuff he never uses. I will be working on getting this all layed out before I start...I should be able to add some draft pics up by late tonight or early tomorrow. The only problem in this entire project I foresee running into is the whole glass/LED thing...I have never worked on anything to do with any LED's, so I am probably going to be asking/researching stuff about it when the time comes...until then, any ideas that have worked for anyone would be appreciated.
It looks like fun! Have you ever done any woodworking in the past is a big question...... If you haven't, make it simple but effective. If I were to do anything different on mine (the one with the lights) I would have built the whole thing out of plywood only, not needing a frame. If you read the worklog I had to change some stuff halfway through making it a necessity to have a frame (to keep from spending much more money.) KEEP IT SIMPLE. Where are you wanting to put the LED's (I only saw that you mentioned wanting some) and what are you going to make the tabletop out of? Would it be easier to just build extensions on the left and right side of the current desk to hold the 2 more desktops? (just a few thoughts for you) Also, welcome to the forums!
I am descent as far as woodworking goes...I have built several small projects, and did hidden reinforcement on some of the cheaper furniture (bookshelves/entertainment centers) so they are not so flimsy. As far as your desk with the lights, I really like the way it was done, and figure if I am starting from scratch, I could incorporate something very similar. I am probably going to try and install the lighting in just the horizontal parts (main table/monitor platforms)...but having no experience with lighting in furniture, I will have to really plan on that part. I know I want to use plywood on this, but do not know yet how I will design the bottom support system successfully with just plywood. The current desk only has a few pieces that are not ripped where the screw/bolts attach the pieces from trying to move the entire desk out from the wall a few too many times...the top part is the only sections that look descent. Installing the computer in it wouldn't have needed much modification to any of the boards other than where the frame for the motherboard would be installed for easy access. Also it is made out of cheap particle board...picked up the thing from Walmart for like $100. This makes it difficult to do any modification to the current parts that will work and look good. Another thing is that having large shelving built up the way it is now makes it look much larger than it really is, so I am probably doing away with anything on top of the desk other than the monitor platforms. I have some really great ideas for this project, and am currently designing the entire thing in 3ds Max. I will post some pics up to gather input from everyone cause I want to have it all layed out in the program before starting where I will not have anything missed.
Ok...I went ahead and did this in Sketchup cause I have no 3ds Max models for any of the components. Sorry it it unfinished. The monitor platforms are not going to work as I had originally thought as they are going to be in the corners...I was wanting to have stealthed drives for easy access, but drives stick out at the corners...modding these any further to allow that would push the monitor platforms toward the user further, taking up more desk space. So, I am going to stealth them right above the part where the mobo's go. I have to edit a slight bit on the monitor platforms to allow for cabling/wires to go for everything that is going to be installed right under the monitor (card readers/USB's/phonos...suggestions for whatever else could go here are appreciated) And yes, the keyboards are meant to be pushed into the openings for when they are not in use...my current desk has an opening under the monitor that is just all open on all sides and we push the keyboard there for more desk space when we need it. I was thinking on modding the keyboard openings to have a roll-top on them also...it can be done, but would need further planning...thoughts??? While it is hard to tell with the uploaded pics, the desktop and monitor platforms are going to be made out of 3 layers of 1/4" plywood so I will be able to add the spiffy LED lighting (wife wants a cool blue color). I will be placing a switch at one of the monitor platforms to control all the lighting for the glass/LED's and all fans in the mobo box. I might also look into making an LCD that will display temperatures for everything in the box, but don't know how to do that yet. I am thinking of doing the same LED lighting for the sides where the mobo's will be installed so it shows out the front...thoughts??? Finally, No...the mobo box will not be open like this. It will have sides also. The very bottom is supposed to be a storage drawer, but from the layout I think I may have to take it out cause I do not see a way to have the mobo's in a box that is 16h" x 16w" x 16.5d". I do not want to make it wider cause we will be bumping our knee's on the sides/corners, and they need to be where I can easily access the connections, all while having the connections hidden behind a small door or something cause wires are an eye-sore. Also, I want to leave the front of the mobo box open for now for the option to install a glass window or something. Once I am able to figure on a layout, then I will do the fan placement. Once I am able to get a solid layout for everything, I will be starting a project log with pricing/measurements and pics. I will be posting more pics when I get a bit further on it that should be slightly larger. Any further suggestions to stuff I may be overlooking is still appreciated . Top/Front: Top/Back Top/ISO: Casing closeup:
I keep looking through the forums for additional ideas for this desk...I came across this: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=100148 Being a complete noob when it come to advanced electronic stuff, and after looking on the site for the QT110, is there anyone who can let me know exactly what would be needed to make something like a panel with maybe 10 touch-sensitive buttons? From what I understand you can put a control behind a small piece of plexi...so I figure I could print the button sheet off on transparency paper and put between that. I figure instead of having a group of switches installed under the monitors for the desk lighting, fan lighting, stealth drive buttons, CPU on/off/reset, etc...I could instead have a panel instead. Yes, I know this seems like a lot to add, but I am gathering ideas at the moment because once I start this project I plan on everything being installed in the front-end instead of having to go back and add additional items.
Does anyone know if the slim-line slot-load burning drives can be installed vertically? I know it doesn't matter on a regular drive, but I am unsure if it effect burning at all.
www.besthongkong.com for cheap LEDs, resistors, and shipping. The back-to-back layout looks cramped. I hope you stay on good terms with the wife. I would run a 10" board along the back side of the table for support, and a 4" board along the back of the front legs. Because the legs on rolling chairs will be hitting the front legs, I would cut them back in an inverted triangle. -I'm not sure how to 'splain the last part without pointing and grunting. If you mount a slot load drive sideways, they spit the cd out, and it rolls around on the floor. It's fun to chase them, but it gets old quickly.
I had something like this in mind for a while ended up just making a normal desk. Interested to see how it will turn out. on a side note you might want to look into monitor ,keyboard and mouse extenders , when i completed mine i found they wouldn't reach.
From the really small pics I guess it does look very cramped. The top is made from 3 sheets of 1/4" plywood stacked, so the overall length and width id 4' x 8'. Right now the way I have it layed out gives a 5' opening on the end. Also, I am designing something else slightly different for the drives that will go under the monitor, and above the keyboard...I will post some pics in about an hour, and have some dimensions plotted out for reference.
I raised up one of the monitor platforms...it is approx 5.75" tall. There is also a lot of excess space in the corner area which will allow room enough to install the card readers, USB's, etc... ...and a better closeup of the computer area (unfinished). This is the tray that will slide under the monitor...holds 1 regular DVD drive (stealthed), and 2 hard drives. The sides must be adjusted slightly, but they will allow for some 1/2" drawer slides. The front and bottom will be made out of 1/16" thick aluminum sheets, and the angle pieces with be made out of 1/2" x 1/2" x 1/16" aluminum. This is what it will look like installed. I am still pondering making this section like a roll-top and installing a lock on it. I don't know yet though... If I did though, the whole underside of the monitor platform would have to be under the roll-top cause would be redundant to have a lock on the drives, and not the power buttons From my current setup, I have slightly less than 5' between 2 people in the computer area and it seems to be plenty of room. And as far as the support system of the desk, there are going to be 4" wide by 3/4" thick runners underneath for support. This will also allow for an area to hide any wires that need to be ran. I plan to mock this entire thing up with foam-core to see how stable it will be in the corner areas, but the rest of the desk should be fine. With everything tying in around the computer box, if the joints are properly secured, it should provide sufficient stability.
Here are pictures of a PC i made to fit my Mum's computer desk. Sketchup and finished The DVD tray opens just by pushing the wood front, and she likes the lights on the icydock showing. But I do like yours, very high tech.
OMG...I have been so worried about how to fit the mobo's, I never thought of installing them at an angle like that I guess I have just been looking at this whole thing with vertical and horizontal pieces. Thanks for the pics. On a side note, I am nearly done with the foam-core mockup of the desk itself. The dispersed weight on the back corners without the bracing underneath seems to provide sufficient stability, but I will probably need to do like Cheapskate said and install back supports to keep from shifting away from the wall. It would be redundant for me to have supports on the back, as well as in the middle for support and cable management, so I will need to figure out another way to modify the design to allow the wires that need to be ran behind something that is hidden, yet easily accessible. I have also been looking into installing molding on the front, but do not see how to do that while displaying the glass-LED's. Still in the works though.
Design Problems... I have seen just about every mod done to a full size ATX mobo to fit in into anywhere it could possibly be installed. The original idea of this design was to have 1 central location for both of the mobo's and PSU's, while keeping the mobo connections in the back easy to get to. Having the drive placement under the monitor stands helps with access and space issues. In the current layout, I have a box that is 16" x 16.5" x <29" (yes, less than 29" high). I also want to have the option to have a plexi window in the front to display a kick @$$ system (my next project providing funding is available at that time). So I am pondering a different idea concerning the mobo box to keep it in respect to the design of the desk. I will have to mock this up in Sketchup. What I am mainly curious about is if I had the rear connections to the mobo's ran in a separate location (extensions). Not de-soldering them, just having them ran somewhere else and not have it interfere with the PC. Logically this seems very possible, but does anyone know of any limitations this would have? Also, any info on the touch panel idea?
I seem to be having a slight problem uploading images to the free image hosting sites, so sorry about the links. The plexi would be pressed in between 2 1/4" sheet of plywood on the fronts and sides that would allow me to have intricate designs cut into them. Since this program seems to not like my processor very much, it has taken a while to try and get this much done or I would have had something better layed out. @Drysofar: I will probably redo the bottom again and see how it will look like that...the HD's wouldn't need to go below cause they are going underneath the monitors. If I were to run the mobo's like this I would still have to run extension on all the cables to an easily accessible place to house all of the hookups.
I've been working on a similar project for a while now, the link is in my signature. From the looks of it, you'll not be running into the same issues i have, but it might still be worth a read I like the design on the corners and the way you stealthed the drives. I really wonder why the mobo box is in the middle though... why not install it underneath the 'monitor triangle' in the corners? That would solve a whole lot of wire issues, and if done far enough in the corner will not hinder your knees. It would also free up space in the middle, which is always nice. Sitting at one of those workstations, i wouldn't feel as pushed into a corner without the console in the middle there. Great ideas otherwise, keep going
Thanks for your comments The reason I am designing this with the mobo's right in the middle is I was really wanting 1 central location for everything, but I want it easily accessible as well. However, keeping the drives in the same location would not be beneficial as we would be leaning down to flop disk's in. Also, the keyboard "slot" takes up much of the space that is needed if I were to have all hardware for each system in each respective corner...the keyboard slot is one aspect of this system that will probably not change as it is one of the major designs I am wanting in a custom system. Also, this would take away from being able to display custom mods to the mobo's, and would need the monitor platforms to rise up further not allowing the ergonomic aspect that it currently has. A few other key points I am looking at is: Stability Functionality Storage User accessibility to equipment Wire management Disassembly for moving purposes These are hard to implement into a system like this unless it has some serious planning behind it, all while keeping a "clean" feel for the area. I have even thought of "slicing" this thing right in the middle and pivoting the right side 90deg...this would provide each user with their own space, allow for more room to have the keyboard slot and all equipment in 1 spot underneath the monitor platforms, provide the same amount of desktop space for each user, but the word "Cubicle" comes to mind when I think of this idea. Since I have not bought anything for this project yet, I might design it just to get a feel of how it could be set up.
