Project: The Ultimate Computer Desk

[Jaime74656]

now i just need to decide if i want my machine integrated into the desk or not LOL and the finial color(s) im thinking ferrari red or Caterpillar Yellow or a mix of the two colors...

 

[Lordbob75]

I had no idea they made custom motherboard trays like that. This project NEEDS to be done, it is calling to me...
Too bad I can't build a desk in the dorms.

I am already thinking of a nice big desk, monitor stands built into the back with full rotation (maybe), cup holders with a mini fridge (I like my drinks ), all the wiring going through special troughs built into the desk. The computer will be up on the back with the motherboard try flat against the wall. It will be covered by a clear acrylic panel so you can see the watercooled parts, with some nice big and high velocity fans moving air through it. I can put a light switch and fan control panel else where on the desk within easy reach, and I can build my startup switch (key switch) into the panel as well. The CD tray will be put somewhere that it is easy to reach (long SATA cable required), etc.

So many awesome ideas, so little time, space, and money.

Good luck on the project, I still can't wait to see it finished. Congrats on all the sponsors by the way!

~Lordbob

 

[profdlp]

...This project NEEDS to be done, it is calling to me...
Too bad I can't build a desk in the dorms....

...So many awesome ideas, so little time, space, and money...

Fear not. The work you do in college will take care of the "space and money" problems in due course. (The "time" situation depends on your job after graduation.)

You'll have your own custom desk one day.

 

[Lordbob75]

...This project NEEDS to be done, it is calling to me...
Too bad I can't build a desk in the dorms....

...So many awesome ideas, so little time, space, and money...

Fear not. The work you do in college will take care of the "space and money" problems in due course. (The "time" situation depends on your job after graduation.)

You'll have your own custom desk one day.

Ah, still need to wait till I have my own place, that's the hard part

~Lordbob

 

[kool1zero]

keep in mind that SATA spec says the maximum length for cable is 1 meter. 2 meters for eSATA

 

[Devilz]

this is ultimate computer desk indeed, good work mate

 

[ultimatedesk]

IO Slot Cutting Part 1

now i just need to decide if i want my machine integrated into the desk or not LOL and the finial color(s) im thinking ferrari red or Caterpillar Yellow or a mix of the two colors...

Ooooh, Ferrari Red, that's a favorite of mine!

I had no idea they made custom motherboard trays like that. This project NEEDS to be done, it is calling to me...
Too bad I can't build a desk in the dorms.

I am already thinking of a nice big desk, monitor stands built into the back with full rotation (maybe), cup holders with a mini fridge (I like my drinks ), all the wiring going through special troughs built into the desk. The computer will be up on the back with the motherboard try flat against the wall. It will be covered by a clear acrylic panel so you can see the watercooled parts, with some nice big and high velocity fans moving air through it. I can put a light switch and fan control panel else where on the desk within easy reach, and I can build my startup switch (key switch) into the panel as well. The CD tray will be put somewhere that it is easy to reach (long SATA cable required), etc.

So many awesome ideas, so little time, space, and money.

Good luck on the project, I still can't wait to see it finished. Congrats on all the sponsors by the way!

~Lordbob

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

...This project NEEDS to be done, it is calling to me...
Too bad I can't build a desk in the dorms....

...So many awesome ideas, so little time, space, and money...

Fear not. The work you do in college will take care of the "space and money" problems in due course. (The "time" situation depends on your job after graduation.)

You'll have your own custom desk one day.

That's right! It'll take a bit of patience and space, but you'd be amazed at what you can accomplish with just a little space and a few basic tools!

keep in mind that SATA spec says the maximum length for cable is 1 meter. 2 meters for eSATA

Yes, thanks for the reminder, this will be an interesting thing to overcome. I may opt for either external USB optical drives, or I may have to relocated them.

this is ultimate computer desk indeed, good work mate

Thanks Devilz!


So - it's been sometime since I've posted an update - apologies, things have been very busy lately.

With the parts from Danger Den having arrived, I could now move on to some more specific details with both of the cabinets that will contain the computers.

Once again, I started with a test fitting, this time, it was a very accurate fitting, requiring quite a bit of sanding and fiddling around to get as close to the final product as possible.

I then placed some test parts for fitting, and traced some outlines on the wood. The motherboard tray was placed on some thin strips of packing foam that I cut up, to help isolate any vibration from the CPU Heatsink.

Installed some new blades on the jigsaw, put my biggest drill bit in the drill, and went to town!

Part 2 coming right up!

 

[ultimatedesk]

IO Slot Cutting Part 2

After doing the rough cut with the jigsaw, I took out the router and free-handed with a straight bit to smooth out the edges.

The semi-finished air intake for the left-hand cabinet:

The power supply rough cut:

I decided that the PSU bolts will need a little more clearance around the screw holes.

The I/O Shield cut out was a bit tricky to measure, but I think I did a pretty decent job:

And a final shot from above and below:

Next update, I'll have pics of actual assembly of the left hand cabinet, and then more cutting, and biscuit joining on the right-hand cabinet.

 

[Everlong]

Coming along nicely. Starting to take form now

 

[Lordbob75]

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

 

[DrToxic]

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)

 

[linnemeyerhere]

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.

 

[DrToxic]

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.

 

[Uploaded]

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.

 

[DrToxic]

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.

a proper key-ignition? as in 3stage from a car?

 

[ultimatedesk]

Left Cabinet Assembly

Coming along nicely. Starting to take form now

Thanks Everlong

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.

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....

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?

 

[DrToxic]

I made a pretty huge mistake...

Here is the suspect:

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

you didn't split the wood did you? :O

 

[Lordbob75]

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.

Already have a tutorial up on it, and its fairly simple if you can solder.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/87295-fan-speed-controller-build-your-own.html
If you want light switches on the fans though, rewiring them is a PAIN.

~Lordbob

 

[ultimatedesk]

Right-Hand Cabinet

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!

 

[brayway]

slowly getting alone there
And yay for the nucense of moving, I know how you feel, Probably moving countries in 6 weeks :S