Author Topic: Overcomplicated top (Read 2091 times)

flip · « **on:** December 14, 2006, 04:20:36 pm »

My parents are moving into a different house and now mom has a dedicated computer room. My father, wanting to put his special touch on the house, insists on making her a computer/media desk. I have some hard maple in the kiln which will contrast the dark cherry flooring nicely so hard part to me is done, wood type is selected. The guys doing the work on the house have added their 2 and 4 cents and have him in a state of confusion

. The game plan is to use a sheet of 3/4 cabinet grade ply and attach-glue-screw-or nail the maple to the ply. I just moved my shaper to his new shop and said we should just tongue and groove some 3" stuff and nail it to the top then use a piece of 1/2 or 3/4 to the edge for banding and do a round over. Over kill? I'd rather just edge glue plane and put some legs under it but he inists it's not heavy enough. Any ideas?

beenthere · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2006, 05:56:28 pm »

flip
I'm not following the story very well. I'm lost with who is doing what and don't see how thick the 'edge-glued' material (hard maple?) is. Apparently there are three suggestions as to how to build?
Sorry to be confused.

But it doesn't sound like the "hard part" for you is 'done'.

Fla._Deadheader · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2006, 07:02:34 pm »

2" would be plenty heavy.

What about "breadboarding" the ends, then rounding all the top edges

That would be easy enough to do.

Sprucegum · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2006, 07:45:44 pm »

Is your hard maple only 1/4 inch thick already? If so you are on the right track with glueing it to the ply. If not cut yet why not go 5/4 thick , edge glue it together and you got your top. The strenght you need to carry a heavy load(books or whatever) is supplied by the legs and rails. Or drawer modules.

I know - clear as mud

metalspinner · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2006, 10:41:05 pm »

A 4/4 top is plenty heavy for a computer desk. If you take the wood movement into account when the top is attached there should not be any troubles with seasonal movement. As mentioned by Sprucegum, the aprons will give strength to the top.

If you go with 8/4 or even 6/4 a trestle design can be used without aprons.

JimBuis · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2006, 10:49:05 pm »

I'm not sure I follow all of the details, but if you are talking about glueing solid maple to plywood, I wouldn't do that. The solid wood will expand and contract at different rates than the relatively more stable plywood. Over time, the maple will crack.

IMHO,
Jim

flip · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2006, 09:39:22 am »

That is dad's plan. I would rather not use any type of underlayment and just go with the solid top. The maple I have is all at a heavy 1 1/8 and dry, I guess I can probably get 11/16" finished. Breadboards are fine and I am still considering them. I really think 1 1/2 is too much for a table top no longer than 7 foot long 24" deep. It will have the computer hung underneath, flat panel, fax/printer on top. Not much weight. The trick here is that there are no right angles in the house and one end will go into a 60 degree corner and make a dog leg of about an extra 2'. I think I'll piddle this weekend and maybe get a couple of pics. to show you what I have to work with.

Flip

Larry · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2006, 12:36:02 pm »

You might consider incorporating a keyboard tray or multi-level top for mom's comfort.

WDH · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2006, 01:47:21 pm »

The keyboard tray is a must. Also, if you have dry maple at 1 1/8' thick, you should have no problem planing to 3/4" or maybe even 13/16" if the boards are reasonably straight. Plus, you are not going to see the top from the bottom anyway. I made a computer desk out of cherry - turned out nice. Also made a filing cabinet to match. I will post a pic if you are interested.

flip · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2006, 01:51:59 pm »

I like pics

pigman · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2006, 02:57:53 pm »

This is something I through together a while back. It is all cherry except the 1/4in ply back. It has the pull out keyboard tray and a pull out shelf on the right side. The top is just 3/4in and seems to be plenty strong. Of course, the way I built the desk the top is supported in four places. On top of the desk is my new computer which is giving me fits trying to figure out all the new and different things.

Bob

WDH · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2006, 03:30:05 pm »

Wow Pigman,

That is one gorgeous desk. Mine won't measure up to that !!

I play music, and whenever I hear someone play who is really good, I say that I am going to quit given the comparison of me to them (but I never do!). I have the same feeling looking at your desk. Nice job.

Larry · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2006, 04:01:41 pm »

I like your desk to...its attractive and looks well thought out. Hope my boss doesn’t see the picture or I’ll have another project to complete.

I know what’s wrong with your computer...it’s tuned in to the wrong channel.

What’s that funny little stool thingy? Is that something for Bob the cripple?

pigman · « **Reply #13 on:** December 15, 2006, 04:59:36 pm »

Quote

What’s that funny little stool thingy?

Larry, that is a little slant top stool that I put my feet on to lean back in my chair while I am waiting for the slow dialup to download.

The leaning back causes me to be so far from the monitor that I have to increase the text size to the maximum to be able to read anything. I think I should have bought a larger monitor.

I guess I could slide the monitor closer, but then I wouldn't have any room for my food.

Bob the cripple, but getting better

Norm · « **Reply #14 on:** December 15, 2006, 05:01:40 pm »

Bob something you just throw together involves 2x4's and a framing hammer.

Beautiful desk!

Tom · « **Reply #15 on:** December 15, 2006, 05:16:29 pm »

You sure do keep it neat and clean. $:-\$

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2006, 06:40:40 pm »

I sure wish I had one of Bob's stool's to elevate my ailing leg (knee) while sit'n at the 'puter. Ever try to stand up straight after sitting in a desk chair for a couple hours and realize the knee just turned stiff on ya?

argg!!

pigman · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2006, 06:45:04 pm »

I did a little housekeeping before I took the picture.

Now I don't know what to do with the tall stack of papers and other junk I removed.

Donk, the stool was easy to make.

Bob

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2006, 06:53:29 pm »

One project at a time.

WDH · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2006, 08:56:48 pm »

Flip,

Here is the pic of my desk. Not nearly as refined as Pigmans!

It is a simple student desk design. The middle drawer is a pull-out keyboard. The desk is 30" high. The top is 3/4" thick, 58" long, and 27 1/2 " deep. Files are kept in a separate filing cabinet to maximize freedom of movement under the desk.

News:

Author Topic: Overcomplicated top (Read 2091 times)