[Aeternus]

Okay, for the past 2-3 months, I've been building a desk. A mighty desk. A desk so powerful, it would be unstoppable. One desk to control them. One desk to rule all!!!!

Okay, enough. I needed it to house my iMac, and my A/V equipment, and it would serve two functions:

1. Desk
2. Home theater center

Googling for such a desk, I came up with zilch. Plus my equipment is too large to fit in normal A/V stuff, so I designed the desk around my system. After months of sketching, I finally wanted this thing to be done, so I had to start, even if the rough design was done in only a few hours. I would be using 7ply plywood, with a baltic birch veneer. I bought 3 sheets of it at Lowe's, and it's American plywood, for about $100 total. I then set about cutting stuff up. After two weeks of on again off again work, it looked like so:



I could have easily been done in two weeks, but I have jobs, and they were unfortunately coinciding when I could get into the lab, so it was slow going.

Here's the desk, in it's first test assembly, with details about it's design:


View from the front. The cabinets are different heights to accomodate the different heights of my equipment. My quadraphonic receiver is going to go above the right cabinet, and the quadraphonic 8 track player is going on the left one. The receiver is taller, so I made the cabinets different heights. Eventually it will have drawers and stuff too. Also, notice the bevel on everything. I did it from the bottom edge, to help it look 'lighter' and more airy.


First time it was fully assembled. I assembled it just to make sure everything fit, now I'm taking it all the way apart again to seal it with satin polyacrylic by Minwax.


Curved shelving to hold three technics amps, an SU-7300, SU-7700, SU-3404 (ultra rare), and an audioscope, which just looks sexy as hell. All the tubing is anodized aluminum, being clamped from a stainless steel capscrew up top, and a nut on the bottom. I had to use couplers and threaded rod, it was a huge PITA.


Baby's got back. I made the upper shelves go a bit further back than the back edge of the cabinets, because you can never push a desk ALL the way to the wall because fo the molding/trim along the floor.


Sweet.


Freshly installed, and after finishing with minwax's polycrylic. Great finish btw. I used a spraygun to apply it, and it turned out great.

[Aeternus]

Now we're getting somewhere! Everything installed, but not wired.

[Aeternus]

DONE! I still need to finish the drawers and cabinet doors, but the desk is basically finished. So far, it's been incredible! Super comfy, large, very spacious, and it holds all my gear. The height is perfect for movies too! I couldn't be more pleased. Thinking about putting into production on a small scale. PM me if interested to work out details, and design customization. Actually, email me instead. cash68@gmail.com

[KeriVit]

THAT is Sweet! Really! Great Job!
I'd trust it over that store bought fiberboard crap any day.

[Rumor]

Due to work blocking anything related to Facebook, I can't see the pictures.

[olePigeon]

I was going to suggest you cut a hole or slit along the back panel of the two lower cabinets. That would allow you to snake cables through.

Awesome job, though.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Why does that clock have a wire running to it?

[Peter]

you hosted this on facebook?
coooool

I'm a fan of the Ikea Jerker desk - it has a bit of cult following.

[residentEvil]

how good are the shelfs going to be if/when the equipment fails and you buy something else and they don't fit?

or you find another set of vintage to buy and they don't fit?

i've already run into that problem with my built in wall A/V rack from my home theater. the standard thin DVD player plus cable or sat box fit on the same shelf (receiver in the other, UPS/power protection in the other). that won't work with any of the new HD-DVD or Blu-Ray players as they are too damn thick.

i'm going to have to relocate the other UPS/power protection out of site now...and that is too bad.

[Aeternus]

I have an ikea jerker desk too. I use that for drawing and stuff, but it would not house my iMac/Stereo equipment very well. It was also flexing under all the weight.

Sprinkles: The clock is a super old school antique. It requires A/C. The second hand moves 'smoothly', not choppy, and the glass and all the hands are curved convexly. It's neat. I hate the wire though but until I get a house it's staying that way.

[residentEvil]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Why does that clock have a wire running to it?

because those silly things need power to run. not all clocks run on batteries you know. almost any real vintage clock (not to look vintage from walmart bought ones) use electricity.

[Peter]

why do you need a UPS for a home theater? odd

[Aeternus]

Originally Posted by residentEvil 

how good are the shelfs going to be if/when the equipment fails and you buy something else and they don't fit?

or you find another set of vintage to buy and they don't fit?

I'm not. I'm keeping these. They'll last me til the end of time. I have the schematics, I can replace anything that needs fixing, forever.

[Aeternus]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

I was going to suggest you cut a hole or slit along the back panel of the two lower cabinets. That would allow you to snake cables through.

Awesome job, though.

Cables for what?

[Aeternus]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

Due to work blocking anything related to Facebook, I can't see the pictures.

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/61107515/

[starman]

No cupholders?

Looks good.

[KeriVit]

Also- I think he has built the shelves for substantial size components vs the newer slim stuff. By some off chance, should he decide to purchase something new someday, they won't/shouldn't be larger than these classics.

[residentEvil]

Originally Posted by Peter 

why do you need a UPS for a home theater? odd

you would too if you wanted to protect a HD projector. just unplugging them or "loss of power" which is like unplugging them isn't good. they need to properly cool down. unless you are rich enough to buy one a new one every time the power blinks? i'll buy the UPS/power protection thing you very much.

plus, i can ride out up to 20 minute power outages and still watch TV/movies and surf the net (cable internet is attached too).

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by residentEvil 

because those silly things need power to run. not all clocks run on batteries you know. almost any real vintage clock (not to look vintage from walmart bought ones) use electricity.

Really? I was born in 75 and I have never seen a wall clock that didn't use batteries outside of an old school.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Aeternus 

Cables for what?

The clock apparently.

[Andhee]

Holy fudge cake man! That is one physco desk you've built! Whereas you built a desk to fit your stuff, I bought the stuff to fit my desk, tres annoying though! I'd love to have a custom desk, so much easier!

[sek929]

Wow, nice job. Excellent design and craftsmanship.

One thing I can't ascertain from the photos is if you finished the raw ends of the plywood with anything.

for going with Birch Ply, just some stain and it looks gorgeous.

[residentEvil]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Really? I was born in 75 and I have never seen a wall clock that didn't use batteries outside of an old school.

75 isn't vintage, that is for damn sure. check out 1940s/1950s clocks. they all do. i know, i'm good friends with a guy that collects them; has over 37. all require electricity. and no, before you ask, they are not all on. but they all still have their chords.

[Aeternus]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Really? I was born in 75 and I have never seen a wall clock that didn't use batteries outside of an old school.

It is an old clock. But I think it's cooler than newer walmart ones. Plus I hate battery powered clocks. They aren't as accurate when the batteries start to go.

[Aeternus]

Originally Posted by sek929 

Wow, nice job. Excellent design and craftsmanship.

One thing I can't ascertain from the photos is if you finished the raw ends of the plywood with anything.

for going with Birch Ply, just some stain and it looks gorgeous.

No, it's exposed ply, but I used a router to bevel everything upwards, and then sanded everything after the first coat of polycrylic. I chose polycrylic because it changes the color of the wood the least. Everything else I tried turned it yellow/orangy/ugly.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Cash is that a home theatre also? If so that centre channel has got to go!

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by residentEvil 

you would too if you wanted to protect a HD projector. just unplugging them or "loss of power" which is like unplugging them isn't good. they need to properly cool down. unless you are rich enough to buy one a new one every time the power blinks? i'll buy the UPS/power protection thing you very much.

plus, i can ride out up to 20 minute power outages and still watch TV/movies and surf the net (cable internet is attached too).

BTW dude, if that's a Belkin UPS then you prolly need to get shut of it and get something that actually works. I've had four Belkins only let me know that they're out of battery when the power cut and they were supposed to be doing their job. But didn't.

APC is good, no problems with them.

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by Aeternus 

Home Theater Desk, COMPLETE by ~cash68 on deviantART

Thanks for the attempt. Apparently, Deviant Art is against corporate policy for use of the internet (though I still wonder why they have blocked this place after a year and half).

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by Peter 

you hosted this on facebook?
coooool

I'm a fan of the Ikea Jerker desk - it has a bit of cult following.

Oh yeah, the Jerker is, like, the best desk ever. Mine is currently disassembled in my boyfriend's spare room at his house - my apartment just doesn't have the floor space for it right now. I had to get the new version of the Jerker (which has been discontinued) - the Fredrik. It's got its own set of benefits, but it's just not the same.

RIP Jerker.

To the OP: That desk is incredible. I built a bookcase to fit in a space in my apartment, but it's sh*t compared to what you did.

<edit>
I showed this to my friend - he wants to know how you did the metal tube supports. How did you secure them to the wood?
</edit>

[residentEvil]

Doofy -

Belkin is the power center (controlling voltage over/under and delayed startups). APC is the UPS. Don't worry, it isn't my first rodeo.

You can see it all here; although out of focus...

http://www.hoedeman.net/hta/cimg0062.jpg

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by residentEvil 

Doofy -

Belkin is the power center (controlling voltage over/under and delayed startups). APC is the UPS. Don't worry, it isn't my first rodeo.

No worries - just sharing, just in case.

[residentEvil]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

No worries - just sharing, just in case.

thanks no worried here either. the Belkin i have has worked wonderfully. and APC is all i will approve at work so was the obvious choice at home too.

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by residentEvil 

how good are the shelfs going to be if/when the equipment fails and you buy something else and they don't fit?

or you find another set of vintage to buy and they don't fit?

i've already run into that problem with my built in wall A/V rack from my home theater. the standard thin DVD player plus cable or sat box fit on the same shelf (receiver in the other, UPS/power protection in the other). that won't work with any of the new HD-DVD or Blu-Ray players as they are too damn thick.

i'm going to have to relocate the other UPS/power protection out of site now...and that is too bad.

What kind of beers are those?

[residentEvil]

well, i only buy a few bottled beers (i mostly drink jack) so it can't be too many choices (canned beer i save for golf and camping but that is just blue light or similar)

so the choices would be: michelob ultra amber, leinie sunset wheat or sam adams seasonal. those bottles would be the ultra ambers

[imitchellg5]

That desk looks ready to roll over like a SUV.

[Buckaroo]

It appears as though the quality of your work is outstanding. Really looks nice. The only thing I don't like are those antique metal boxes . . . old stereo things all around. Just kidding.

Good job.

[Buckaroo]

Here's my setup. It's far from finished.


http://home.socal.rr.com/buckaroo/images/desk3.jpg

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Buckaroo 

Here's my setup. It's far from finished.


http://home.socal.rr.com/buckaroo/images/desk3.jpg

What you got left to do? Get rid of 4 out of the 5 mice?

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by Buckaroo 

Here's my setup. It's far from finished.


http://home.socal.rr.com/buckaroo/images/desk3.jpg

is that six monitors on one machine, or six monitors across four machines (i see four mice, so...)?

if that's six on one, I hate you.

[Dakarʒ]

There's an obscure Showtime movie called SafeHouse. If you've seen it, Buckaroo's set-up reminds me of a low production value version of it.

[Buckaroo]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

What you got left to do? Get rid of 4 out of the 5 mice?

I have one mouse for each computer. I don't always need a keyboard, and I switch from one to the other with the KVM switch. But I find it easier to have one mouse for each computer. I don't have to push a button to make something happen on a computer with seperate mice. I have all the trim work and blinky lights to install.

[jonasmac]

Originally Posted by Buckaroo 

Here's my setup. It's far from finished.


http://home.socal.rr.com/buckaroo/images/desk3.jpg

Looks like you're ready for the apocalypse.

[lpkmckenna]

Originally Posted by Buckaroo 

http://home.socal.rr.com/buckaroo/im...ages/desk3.jpg

omigod. All that money for technology and you can't take a focused photograph?

Looks like Vishnu's setup with all those mice.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Aeternus 

No, it's exposed ply, but I used a router to bevel everything upwards, and then sanded everything after the first coat of polycrylic. I chose polycrylic because it changes the color of the wood the least. Everything else I tried turned it yellow/orangy/ugly.

It certainly looks really good.

One thing to consider for next time is buying maple and ripping 1/2" strips to cover all the rough edges. You can get fancy and miter the corners and then use the router to ease the edge. It ends up matching the birch ply really well.

[lpkmckenna]

[cSurfr]

^ Nice!

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by Buckaroo 

Here's my setup. It's far from finished.


http://home.socal.rr.com/buckaroo/images/desk3.jpg

This is the corner set up you were talking about building, isn't it?

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by lpkmckenna 

[rickey939]

I'll take an order of 50....I need them by Monday.

E-mail me at Ca$h_Only@macosrumors.com

[Aeternus]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Cash is that a home theatre also? If so that centre channel has got to go!

Screw you. I BUILT that speaker. For like $40. It's awesome sounding.

http://www.quadraphonicquad.com/foru...ead.php?t=7450

The pics don't work because my server died.