Leviticus
08-14-2011, 07:43 PM
Hello, world! This is my first post as well as my first mod--so we'll see how it goes. I apologize in advance if this is too many pictures. :S
I've had this idea for a desk PC for a few months. I was mainly inspired by this PM article.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/build-pc/4318067?page=1
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/Td/monster-table-470-hed-0609.jpg
I spent some of my time the past couple months planning it, and most of my time procrastinating. I finally got around to building it with 2 weeks left before I move in to college and with one week down, I wanted to share my progress so far.
Its going to be made of wood, with a half inch acrylic top on it. My original plan included frosted edges with LEDs in the back. I had to scrap that idea due to lack of time.
Day 1:
I'm working at a past employers shop who is also helping me with all the technical aspects of the build. Because of my time frame, I don't have much a choice of materials. Pressboard it is!
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/623/img2280nq.jpg
Its a box!
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5733/img2272o.jpg
This material has kind of a horrific texture to it. To fix that, I'll be laminating the whole thing with some unused laminate.
Doesn't look the best now, but I'll be painting it eventually.
Day 2:
Spent most of my day waiting for contact cement to dry.
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7343/img2273kt.jpg
Laminate, rout, repeat.
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3863/img2285y.jpg
My first time handling a router. It isn't too bad...
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1859/img2278j.jpg
Day 3:
After routing the edges, it looks worse than before!
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5819/img2291f.jpg
Done laminating and sanding the edges.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/1825/img2293e.jpg
Legs are made and installed;supports are made.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1/img2295tpk.jpg
Day 4:
Supports Installed. We're finally getting somewhere...
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5884/img2298k.jpg
Tips on cutting acrylic:
-A table saw is prolly best. I used an 80 tooth finishing blade.
-The blade should barely reach the top of the acrylic.
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4167/img2300m.jpg
-Take your time
Its that simple. I Ended up with a much smoother finish than it had from the factory.
Now we're getting to the fun part:
Sanded corners of the acrylic
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2395/img2302yo.jpg
The router setup included a vacuum which made life much easier.
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/962/img2305o.jpg
The routed edge. It left a noticeable lip in the middle--nothing a little power sanding can't fix.
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/1984/img2308ho.jpg
Polishing process: Power sanding with fine grit>Hand sanding with 600 grit>Steel wool>Polish mixed with a generous amount of elbow grease.
Before and after.
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/1771/img2309k.jpg
After a little of whats known as 'manual labor,' all the edges look like this. Shiny!
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8484/img2311w.jpg
I'll be attaching the acrylic to the desk with these. There are prolly much better ways, but this is convenient.
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9607/img2314kb.jpg
4 holes drilled.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/407/img2315o.jpg
Next was the nerve-racking process of threading the holes. This involved holding the screw with vise grips and slowly twisting in into the acrylic.
3 down, 1 to go.
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7356/img2319si.jpg
Tragedy strikes.
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/220/img2318td.jpg
...and stress follows. >.<
The chipped piece was put in place and a little acrylic cement brushed on to set overnight.
Day 5: Half a day.
Screwed threaded inserts into bottom where the motherboard sets. I would advise against using copper inserts. *headdesk*
The top of the insert on the right is completely flattened.
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/3596/img2323h.jpg
Managed to get them all straight somehow.
Making progress and it's looking good...
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3882/img2321a.jpg
That's all for now. I'll update this more when I have the time next week.
I've had this idea for a desk PC for a few months. I was mainly inspired by this PM article.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/build-pc/4318067?page=1
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/Td/monster-table-470-hed-0609.jpg
I spent some of my time the past couple months planning it, and most of my time procrastinating. I finally got around to building it with 2 weeks left before I move in to college and with one week down, I wanted to share my progress so far.
Its going to be made of wood, with a half inch acrylic top on it. My original plan included frosted edges with LEDs in the back. I had to scrap that idea due to lack of time.
Day 1:
I'm working at a past employers shop who is also helping me with all the technical aspects of the build. Because of my time frame, I don't have much a choice of materials. Pressboard it is!
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/623/img2280nq.jpg
Its a box!
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5733/img2272o.jpg
This material has kind of a horrific texture to it. To fix that, I'll be laminating the whole thing with some unused laminate.
Doesn't look the best now, but I'll be painting it eventually.
Day 2:
Spent most of my day waiting for contact cement to dry.
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7343/img2273kt.jpg
Laminate, rout, repeat.
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3863/img2285y.jpg
My first time handling a router. It isn't too bad...
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1859/img2278j.jpg
Day 3:
After routing the edges, it looks worse than before!
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5819/img2291f.jpg
Done laminating and sanding the edges.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/1825/img2293e.jpg
Legs are made and installed;supports are made.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1/img2295tpk.jpg
Day 4:
Supports Installed. We're finally getting somewhere...
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5884/img2298k.jpg
Tips on cutting acrylic:
-A table saw is prolly best. I used an 80 tooth finishing blade.
-The blade should barely reach the top of the acrylic.
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4167/img2300m.jpg
-Take your time
Its that simple. I Ended up with a much smoother finish than it had from the factory.
Now we're getting to the fun part:
Sanded corners of the acrylic
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2395/img2302yo.jpg
The router setup included a vacuum which made life much easier.
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/962/img2305o.jpg
The routed edge. It left a noticeable lip in the middle--nothing a little power sanding can't fix.
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/1984/img2308ho.jpg
Polishing process: Power sanding with fine grit>Hand sanding with 600 grit>Steel wool>Polish mixed with a generous amount of elbow grease.
Before and after.
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/1771/img2309k.jpg
After a little of whats known as 'manual labor,' all the edges look like this. Shiny!
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8484/img2311w.jpg
I'll be attaching the acrylic to the desk with these. There are prolly much better ways, but this is convenient.
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9607/img2314kb.jpg
4 holes drilled.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/407/img2315o.jpg
Next was the nerve-racking process of threading the holes. This involved holding the screw with vise grips and slowly twisting in into the acrylic.
3 down, 1 to go.
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7356/img2319si.jpg
Tragedy strikes.
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/220/img2318td.jpg
...and stress follows. >.<
The chipped piece was put in place and a little acrylic cement brushed on to set overnight.
Day 5: Half a day.
Screwed threaded inserts into bottom where the motherboard sets. I would advise against using copper inserts. *headdesk*
The top of the insert on the right is completely flattened.
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/3596/img2323h.jpg
Managed to get them all straight somehow.
Making progress and it's looking good...
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3882/img2321a.jpg
That's all for now. I'll update this more when I have the time next week.