SentryOptic

So as in only 2 more years I am going away to college (getting a dorm, which is where this thread originates from in the first place...).... I know 2 years is a long time, but hey... why not be prepared, right?

I recently stumbled upon the MILK desk, specifically designed for Macs, but usable for a Windows user... and within about ten seconds I was completely hooked. I knew I was gonna get it. Everything just seemed so innovative... until I saw the price tag.

For those of you who don't want to internet-hunt for the price of this desk... it retails at about $4000 US dollars.

WHAT???

That is absolutely ridiculous... I don't know if they realize that you can buy a computer for that much...

Anyways, since I love the design but vomit at the sight of the price tag, I've made the decision to build my own. The benefits of building my own desk is that I can customize the desk to conform to my own needs. Everything will resemble the real McCoy... the trays and stuff on the left side, and the trash can attachments and the little cutouts and stuff... except this desk will probably end up costing me around 90 bucks.

So, onto the specifications...

(I have some woodworking skills, see my Weighted Companion Cube case in my sig... so don't give up on this build!!)

-Made of Solid MDF board and Aluminum for the stand
-Will be layered instead of cut/carved directly into... similar to making a layered case out of acrylic...
-Aluminum accents on the desktop (traytops, cable holes, etc.)
-Aluminum gets a brushed finished, while the MDF board will get an Ultra Pure White coat of paint plus a coat of BakeGlaze, which will REALLY make the glossy surface pop.

Here's some sketchup models of what I have so far...



It should take form in another couple of weeks here... I will select my materials from Home Depot soon and I'll continue planning stages after finals tomorrow


Stay Tuned for Updates!

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bentleya

sounds good

i just don't know how it will turn out due to the fact that mdf is a easy but hard material to work with if you know what i mean.

i have got quit a bit of experance with wood and mdf so i think this is going to be very hard trying to make all the holes, compartments and the fish tank, lol

you will need the right tools for the job and i suggestion finding somewhere with a cnc machine or something sermiale to that

because mdf splits, cracks, bends and dents with every hit, nail, screw, drop and bang.

and the only way you will get them compartments out if not using a cnc machine will be a router, and mdf burns easily as it is a made made board

and any cracks you do get which will problemly be a few can't be glued or filled because paint will not stick to

so to sum it up have you thought it though have you got the right tools and have you planned anoth

there is never to much time spent planning


good luck and can't wait to see a update soon

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SentryOptic

I was thinking I would have to use a router or something like, that, until i came up with this idea

Let my google sketchup work speak for itself.

Keep in mind, this a quick, rough sketch. I just threw this together to show what I plan on doing.



Basically, the desk will be constructed from layers cut out to each invidual part of the desk before assembly, then all screwed together from the bottom up. True, I will definitely have to take my SERIOUS time with it. MDF cracks like freaking crazy... I learned that the hard way when using a nail gun on a computer case made of the stuff. But with some pilot holes just the right size and some serious care taken when sanding, this can really work

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bentleya

looks good are you having the fish tank and cable tidy on the back of desk

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SentryOptic

Cable tidy drawer, yes

Fish tank? nah, I think I can live without that

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bentleya

i think is the best part of the desk other than it being made for a mac

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Lelin

Mmm I really like that project, makes me want to try and build one. Don't knoww which materials I should get though.

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bentleya

mdf is really is only material suited to it but if you have no experanice with mdf it will be very hard

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HatesFury

subed

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Pasha

A bit off topic, but...how many smiles do you use holy baby jesus.

Anyway, nice design, looking foward to pics.

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Far2Paranoid: Knew this guy in HS
Far2Paranoid: Built a box with 2x 350Mhz Pentium2, back in '98
Far2Paranoid: The trick was, filled his bathtub w/ glycerin
Far2Paranoid: Took apart a mini-fridge and used the coils to cool the glycerin to ~40F
Far2Paranoid: Then sunk the box so he could OC the CPUs to 1.3Ghz
Far2Paranoid: Coolest stuff I've ever seen.
AlbinoChpmnk: If this was sitting in his tub, how did he shower?
Far2Paranoid: After what I just said, what makes you think he showered?