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[Build Log] Custom Wooden Desk with Built in Watercooled Computer

5K views 54 replies 22 participants last post by  mitzaotomitza 
#1 ·
This is something I have wanted to do for a while, and I finally decided to give it a shot. I always wanted to have a computer built into a desk, but I wanted it to look like a normal desk. This is the first big wood working project I've ever attempted, so it's going a little slower than expected. After taking inspiration from this reddit post, https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/3ioxzt/built_my_wife_a_battle_station_desk/ , I started planning my own version.

I modeled everything in the computer prior to making any cuts. This is the overall goal:



I plan on building the computer into the left cabinet.


The computer will be built into a removable drawer, so I can still move it outside of the desk if necessary.


I'm using maple plywood to build the bulk of the cabinets.
IMG_20160804_190502

Starting to cut the plywood to make the cabinets. At the time I didn't have access to a table saw, so I used a track saw to make all the cuts.:
IMG_20160813_084636
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Sanding the panels:
IMG_20160814_134344

All the panels cut:
IMG_20160814_142332

Attaching the drawer spacers to the sides:
IMG_20160814_194526
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A coworker let me use their table saw to cut the wood for the drawers. I used baltic birch plywood for this.
IMG_20160816_221635

I applied veneer edge banding to the exposed plywood on the back and the bottom of the cabinet. I didn't want the veneer on the plywood to get chipped when moving it, so this should provide extra protection. As a plus it looks nicer too.
IMG_20160822_192440
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Starting to build the cabinets, I'm using a kreg jig with pocket screws and wood glue.
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I added leveling feet to help out with any future uneven flooring.
IMG_20160828_144741
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I"m deviating from my original plan of having the ventilation fans on the sides. I'm going to add fans to the door and the rear of the cabinet. These are the rear holes:
IMG_20160828_160205
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A rough idea of what the desk is going to look like. The cabinets are switched. I'm short, so the desk is sized appropriately.
IMG_20160828_211453
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I made the face frames out of hardwood maple.
IMG_20160904_120334
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To build the drawers I used a router table to cut the slots. The drawers are made from 1/2" baltic birch.
IMG_20160905_144529
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Starting to install the drawers into the cabinets.
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I used hardwood maple to make the face frames. I think I'm going to route the edges on the top and bottom, but I haven't decided yet.
IMG_20160918_152103
IMG_20160922_201439

I've received the motherboard tray so far. I'm going to have my friend 3d print the brackets for my pump, reservoir, and SSD and HDD cage. I just picked up a MCP35x from microcenter this past weekend.
 
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#3 ·
I cant wait to see more pics.
 
#4 ·
Some minor progress updates. I neglected to mention the computer specs in the first post. I upgraded about 3 months ago, so I'll just be transferring the components into the new desk. I did recently purchase some new water cooling goodies though. First the specs of the system.

Computer
Motherboard: GIGABYTE G1 Gaming GA-Z170X-Gaming 7
CPU: i7 6700k
Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB
GPU: ASUS Strix GTX 970

Cooling
CPU: XSPC Raystorm Pro
Radiator: Thermochill PA.130
Pump: Swiftech MCP35x
Res: Swiftech Microres V2

This is what I'm replacing:
IMG_20161004_212713

New Pump and Res!
IMG_20161004_212617

I purchased a mountain mods motherboard tray to mount the motherboard
IMG_20161004_212642

I'll be installing this switch in the side of the cabinet
IMG_20161004_212627

I made the panel for the door which will mount my 4 intake fans. I waiting for the dye to come in to finish the back. I need to dye and poly the panel and sides before I can assemble and mount the door.
IMG_20161001_164556
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I'm going to use a combination of perforated stainless steel and vinyl screen to hide the fans
IMG_20161001_171304

Building the desktop
IMG_20161003_183822
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Seeing how everything fits
IMG_20161004_202423
IMG_20161004_202252
 
#5 ·
I'm starting to play around with the dye. One the test piece I was able to get some of the tiger stripe I'm looking for.
IMG_20161008_113745

Starting to cut out the motherboard tray
IMG_20161008_154529
IMG_20161008_160641

Testing it out with the mountainmoads motherboard tray
IMG_20161008_163401

I need to cut out this section to mount the PSU
IMG_20161008_163409

Quick test to make sure everything fits
IMG_20161008_163602

I just barely have enough clearance
IMG_20161008_163541

The tray inside of the cabinet
IMG_20161008_163624

In hindsight I probably would have cut the fan holes in the back of the cabinet a little higher. It should still work fine though.
 
#6 ·
I started building up the computer drawer. Due to the height of the radiator I needed to make a cutout with a lower depth so it would fit vertically. I plan on running the power and data wires underneath the bottom. Once the SSD and HD cages come I'll use the router to cut the cable pass-throughs.
IMG_20161009_200011
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The power button and side cable pass-through have been installed in the main computer cabinet.
IMG_20161016_142112

Building the door panel with fan holes:
IMG_20161016_165950
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I finally have it looking the way I want it to. Nice shine with the poly.
IMG_20161011_233403
 
#7 ·
I've made some decent progress, almost all construction is complete.

I've built the door and used maple plugs to "hide" the pocket screws.
IMG_20161023_114719

I made a jig with scrap wood to cut the holes for the hinges:
IMG_20161023_174255

Both hinges installed:
IMG_20161023_175818

Testing the door on the cabinet:
IMG_20161023_180600
IMG_20161023_180610

When the cabinet is covered the fan holes should be hidden:
IMG_20161023_180807

Handle installed:
IMG_20161023_183106

I received the SSD and HD cages. Once my friend finishes 3D printing my water cooling brackets I'll install them and start routing the wiring holes.
IMG_20161023_184717

I started to apply the dye to the backside of the desktop. The polyurethane will make it pop more, as the dye dries pretty dull. I've been experimenting with a blotch control which I'll be applying to the topside of the table top. It should give it a more uniform color.
IMG_20161102_202750
 
#8 ·
I'm slowly but surely marching towards the finish line. I applied the dye and linseed oil to the cabinets and table top. Next up will be the drawer fronts and door, and then I can start applying the polyurethane. Once the poly is done I can begin installing the computer components.

IMG_20161105_222315

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#9 ·
I'm wrapping up the wood finishing portion, and should be transitioning to the computer portion shortly. I'm currently applying the polyurethane to the finished components. The tabletop and door are completely finished, and the cabinets and drawer faces are in progress.

I wanted a gloss finish on the exterior components. I mixed gloss polyurethane with mineral spirits to make a wiping poly. I end up putting down about 6 coats while sanding in between with 220, 400, 1000, and 2000 grits. The tabletop:

IMG_20161116_190442
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The door:
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I applied some polyurethane to the underside for protection. I'm currently applying it to the sides and inside.
IMG_20161119_230107
 
#10 ·
sub!
 
#12 ·
The reservoir bracket is the first to be printed!
419

418

Polyurethane has now been applied to all visible components. I need to poly the drawers, and do some minor construction to the computer drawer for the cable pass-throughs. I started to install fans and minor components into the cabinet.

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#13 ·
looking really nice. one of the great things about this place is so many people take the time to build what meets their needs instead of just buying something.

did you thin out your clear with 10% mineral spirits? it was the only way i could get it to go on smoothly and was still a pita. now that is has cured i need to buff it out at some point
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by sli_shroom View Post

looking really nice. one of the great things about this place is so many people take the time to build what meets their needs instead of just buying something.

did you thin out your clear with 10% mineral spirits? it was the only way i could get it to go on smoothly and was still a pita. now that is has cured i need to buff it out at some point
I did a 50/50 with poly and mineral spirits. I wiped it on with cotton cloth, and ended up doing about 6-7 coats with sanding in between. Let me know how buffing it goes. My test piece has been curing for a little over a month, and I still can't get it to look good with a buffing compound. I used this stuff which was recommended for poly, but I haven't had much luck. I know in general people seem to think that poly isn't hard enough to polish.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UD0GGS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
#15 ·
50/50 eh? maybe i didnt go thin enough.

i have heard the same about poly, but i have a few spots that bother me so i wanted to try it. do you think allowing it to cure longer will help? i would think after a month it is as hard as it is going to get.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by sli_shroom View Post

looking really nice. one of the great things about this place is so many people take the time to build what meets their needs instead of just buying something.

did you thin out your clear with 10% mineral spirits? it was the only way i could get it to go on smoothly and was still a pita. now that is has cured i need to buff it out at some point
I agree, I think after a month it will be as hard as you can get. I would try it out on a spot that isn't too visible. When I tried it it added a haze to the finish which I didn't like.

I started messing around with the computer drawer. I attached the hard drive cage and SSD cage. I plan on routing the cable through holes tomorrow.

IMG_20161202_214643582

IMG_20161202_214845196
 
#18 ·
noticed the angle of your mobo tray...one downside i have found with my bench (mobo tray has about the same angle) is that bubbles collected and got trapped in a corner of the gpu waterblocks. all the little bubbles turned into a big trapped bubble. had to tilt the tray up to release them a few times until all of the bubbles were out of the system. this is with a pair of d5s on max, so it wasnt a flow issue. other block designs probably wouldnt have the same issue

look straight up from the m in the msi logo



a shot showing the mobo angle

 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by sli_shroom View Post

noticed the angle of your mobo tray...one downside i have found with my bench (mobo tray has about the same angle) is that bubbles collected and got trapped in a corner of the gpu waterblocks. all the little bubbles turned into a big trapped bubble. had to tilt the tray up to release them a few times until all of the bubbles were out of the system. this is with a pair of d5s on max, so it wasnt a flow issue. other block designs probably wouldnt have the same issue
Thanks for the heads up. I'm only watercooling the CPU, but I'll make sure the cpu block doesn't run into the same issue.

Today I finished construction of the computer drawer. Once I apply the polyurethane I can start installing the components. I designed the computer drawer to contain all the components so I can easily remove it and transport it if I need to.

Cutting the hole to get to the back of the CPU socket.

IMG_20161203_104318449

IMG_20161203_161608066_TOP

Cutting the cable pass through hole:

IMG_20161203_170733590

Pass through hole for fan wires:

IMG_20161203_170737704

Building the computer drawer:

IMG_20161203_183320222

IMG_20161203_185807955

IMG_20161203_185622140

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#21 ·
Subbed!Amazing work so far,can't wait to see the finished product..It sure is going to look classy
wink.gif
 
#22 ·
Great progress! I think you have CaseLabs HDD and SSD cages ... is that right? Where did you pick up your motherboard tray? Is it acrylic?

What are you using to a) cut the holes for the wires and b) those recessed / angled holes that contain screws(?) that hold everything together?
 
#23 ·
As a fellow woodworker...subbed...

I cant believe I missed this one earlier!

Nice festool set up, buying in to that level of tool ain't cheap! Interesting choice to pocket screw everything together. I guess without a table saw at your disposal,doing dado work is out of the question.

I got my own little desk project going on for the wife. It is just some douglas fir turned into a glue lam essentially. Going to start the dovetail work tomorrow. Lots of freakin dovetails.
 
#25 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ruffhi View Post

Great progress! I think you have CaseLabs HDD and SSD cages ... is that right? Where did you pick up your motherboard tray? Is it acrylic?

What are you using to a) cut the holes for the wires and b) those recessed / angled holes that contain screws(?) that hold everything together?
Yup, the SSD and HDD cages are Caselabs, I actually got them on amazon. The motherboard tray is powder coated aluminum. I bought it from mountain mods. I bought the switch from them as well. I'm using a router with a straight bit to cut the wire holes. The angled holes are called pocket holes. Kregg makes a jig to cut them. It's set up to accommodate multiple thicknesses.

Motherboard tray: http://www.mountainmods.com/mountain-mods-modular-removable-motherboard-tray-p-56.html
Router: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-Jig-Pocket-Hole-System-R3/202269070?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cPowerTools&gclid=CjwKEAiAmo_CBRC9qbGQssjqi28SJABYTgZxnBSkqf_dChb2g7It1Xki6R-D97IMsmIwZUa8H6ABVxoCTLPw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Kregg Jig: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-Jig-Pocket-Hole-System-R3/202269070?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cPowerTools&gclid=CjwKEAiAmo_CBRC9qbGQssjqi28SJABYTgZxnBSkqf_dChb2g7It1Xki6R-D97IMsmIwZUa8H6ABVxoCTLPw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Quote:
Originally Posted by inedenimadam View Post

As a fellow woodworker...subbed...

I cant believe I missed this one earlier!

Nice festool set up, buying in to that level of tool ain't cheap! Interesting choice to pocket screw everything together. I guess without a table saw at your disposal,doing dado work is out of the question.

I got my own little desk project going on for the wife. It is just some douglas fir turned into a glue lam essentially. Going to start the dovetail work tomorrow. Lots of freakin dovetails.
I was lucky and was able to bother my fathers festool tools. I did pick up that Pro LTD sander deal they had a couple of months ago. This is my first wood working project since shop class in High School 10 years ago, so I decided the pocket holes would be the easier route to go. Sawmillcreek has been very helpful these past couple of months. I did use a router table to cut the grooves on the drawers, but it's too difficult to be consistent with larger pieces.

Looks nice, I really like the look of dovetail! Good luck.
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilmanmgf View Post

Yup, the SSD and HDD cages are Caselabs, I actually got them on amazon. The motherboard tray is powder coated aluminum. I bought it from mountain mods. I bought the switch from them as well. I'm using a router with a straight bit to cut the wire holes. The angled holes are called pocket holes. Kregg makes a jig to cut them. It's set up to accommodate multiple thicknesses.

Motherboard tray: http://www.mountainmods.com/mountain-mods-modular-removable-motherboard-tray-p-56.html

Router: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-Jig-Pocket-Hole-System-R3/202269070?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cPowerTools&gclid=CjwKEAiAmo_CBRC9qbGQssjqi28SJABYTgZxnBSkqf_dChb2g7It1Xki6R-D97IMsmIwZUa8H6ABVxoCTLPw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Kregg Jig: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-Jig-Pocket-Hole-System-R3/202269070?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cPowerTools&gclid=CjwKEAiAmo_CBRC9qbGQssjqi28SJABYTgZxnBSkqf_dChb2g7It1Xki6R-D97IMsmIwZUa8H6ABVxoCTLPw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Thanks. I will look into those links.
 
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