Project: The Ultimate Computer Desk

DrToxic said:

linnemeyerhere said:

Why not look into a finger print recognition pad? This would be the most secure if that is the goal but in the end a remote secret switch or button would make more sense to me hidden inside the top of a drawer or something.

Nice idea...but to be honest, im going for something completly unique... how many people do you know with a key to their computer (to turn it on)?

I was thinking of a keychamber ignition because it supports (up to) two AUX powersupplies and can turn on a motherboard.

I know quite a lot, actually.

Everlong said:

Coming along nicely. Starting to take form now :)

Thanks Everlong

Lordbob75 said:

ultimatedesk said:

You've got some great ideas there Lordbob, I love the idea of a key switch to startup the computer! Thanks for sticking around :)

I actually already modified my case to start the computer with a key switch
Added in custom designed fan controllers using potentiometers as well.

~Lordbob

Heh, pretty sweet - I'll have to tap you for knowledge later when it comes to designing the fan controllers most likely.

DrToxic said:

Lordbob75 said:

ultimatedesk said:

You've got some great ideas there Lordbob, I love the idea of a key switch to startup the computer! Thanks for sticking around :)

I actually already modified my case to start the computer with a key switch
Added in custom designed fan controllers using potentiometers as well.

~Lordbob

I also have a keyswitch mod. for now, I ripped one out of a dead IDE hot-swap bay that had a couple of wires hanging off it. Soon though, I will build a wooden PC case (hopefully) and get a proper ignition chamber fitted (from a Ford or Landrover maybe..).. which will help me control 2 powersupplies.

(using the knowledge that starting a PSU requires a constant short between green wire and earth) I can (theoretically up to three) powersupplies.

off position: (blatent.) off
I position: Start powersupply 1
II position: start powersupply 2
III position (the temporary position that resets when you let go of the key): Start the motherboard. (This will emulate pressign the power button on the front of a boring standard PC case)

Ha, pretty cool idea. I'm going to have a lot of room to play with when it comes to doing the switches area, so maybe....

linnemeyerhere said:

Why not look into a finger print recognition pad? This would be the most secure if that is the goal but in the end a remote secret switch or button would make more sense to me hidden inside the top of a drawer or something.

Yeaaa... to hide all of my top-secret... files... yes... lol


It's been a while, but I can assure you, progress is still moving forward with the Ultimate Computer Desk!

I finally got around to assembling the left-hand cabinet - here it is, all glued and clamped together. It's a really solid unit - the dado cuts lined up really well, and the structure is rock solid.





Here I am doing a mock-up of the right-hand cabinet. This one was a little trickier to put together. There is a pretty specific order of assembly, otherwise, you're left with a piece that just doesn't want to fit properly.



Some outlines for the motherboard I/O and power supply



I remember mentioning that I free-handed the holes with the router for the left-hand cabinet. I decided to play a safer route for the right-hand cabinet.

I took a piece of wood, lined it up with my straight edge, and ran my router on top of the wood with a straight bit - this game me a perfect "stencil". What I can do then, is take the stencil, line up the edge with a line that I've drawn on the target piece, place a straight edge behind the stencil, clamp down the straight edge, remove the stencil, and run my router across the straight edge for a straight, accurate line.

Wow, that was a mouthful.





And the end product:





And then I made a pretty huge mistake...

Here is the suspect:



Bam. Can you guess why this was a bad idea?

Hey Lordbob, thanks for the link!

Holy moly, I'm really sorry for the lack of updates folks - I've been sick for quite a while and the weather has been miserable so I haven't had much time to work on the desk. Apparently I had cedar poisoning! Wonderful!

Anyways - back on track!

Those of you who guessed it right - yes, I shouldn't have made the hole in the first place. I don't know what I was thinking. This is the right-hand cabinet.



Whoops!



Here's the biscuit joiner I was using. It worked pretty well for what it is. The tricky part was determining the order of which pieces/faces/sides to glue first and how to keep it all from falling apart before completion.









Here's the left-hand cabinet all dried and ready for some trim



And voila, my erm.. elegant clamping solution (I need to grab some cauls!)





Hope you enjoy! Rest assured, this project WILL BE FINISHED! Just.. mm, I don't really know when. I'm moving in a month and a half, so all the staining/sanding will have to be done, at a minimum.

Take care!