Building a computer work center

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:24 pm

This is not as big of project as the time it took, but it all started last November with a photo my Wife found.
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Drew up my version of the thing and got approval. I'm not much of a sketchup artist, but only wanted to give her an idea of what it would resemble.
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Next ordered some quartersawn oak. It came in as white oak.
In order to start sawing first had to draw up a more detailed plan. Didn't care for the wide face frames as they made the unit look a bit clunky IMO. Here's photos of the printed plans.

First the bottom parts -
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and the upper parts -
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It was plain to figure the thing had to be built in pieces that could be dis-assembled to carried into and through the house. I could glue and screw up the parts, but each part must be carry-able by one person. So - the building began.

First the two loser bases.
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These two pieces are light enough and small enough to be handles separately. Although I tried to make the drawer holes perfectly square, that didn't happen. Oh well I can make un-square drawers. If the drawers are made well enough there is no need for sliders.

Now only had to make the desk top and the sub-top that would fit into the bases and secure their relative positions.

More coming:

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 2:02 am

So the sub-desktop had to have grooves and dados that would fit into the upright stubs of the two bases. The sub-desktop is nothing more than a frame of about 3" wide pieces, with butt joints glued together with biscuits. The grooves and dados were hand cut with a couple of chisels.
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This sub-top will be carried separately and fastened to the desktop with Z fasteners. That way the bases can be moved into position on the rug in the sewing room and positioned correctly in the dados and groves of the the sub-top. The sub-top will be screwed to the two bases.

The desk top will then be placed on the sub-top and fastened with the Z fasteners. Hese's the bottom view of what that will look like.
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More to follow tomorrow:

skou · Post by **skou** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 2:13 am

Chuck, it looks like you have the actual "computer" in a sealed box. Remember, cooling is your FRIEND when it comes to computing. Make DANG sure the airflow around and through the computer case is NOT disturbed. I've been building computers, and high-powered computers for almost 15 years now. Heat is the biggest killer of almost ALL parts.

If you want some more assistance, do not hesitate. I'm here daily. (Or, like 5 or 6 times a day.)Yes, I know more about computers, than my ERs, strange as that sounds.

steve

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:09 am

As always, Charlese. It is looking really good.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 4:56 pm

When the desk top is fastened onto the sub-top and set on the two bases this is what it looks like.
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Sorry- it has become obvious I didn't snap enough photos, but here is a pic of gluing up one of the outside paneled stiles of the upper cabinets. I used the two bases as a table. (all stiles of the boxes are paneled with 1/4" oak plywood to cut down n weight)
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Here is what it looked like (2 pics) when the two upper cabinets were fastened to the desk top and the stabilizing shelves were placed between them. Also doors are mounted in this pic.
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Now that the total cabinet is finally finished, I'll get some more photos to show the finished product.

More to come--

algale · Post by **algale** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 6:28 pm

I am constantly amazed by the skills that are on display by the forum's members. Both inspiring and very humbling.

john · Post by **john** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 7:55 pm

Chuck:

That is some project to take on.

The results so far look amazing!..

John

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 1:35 am

O.K. this is getting long - never fear it will end in these last two posts. Had to try to take pics of the finished computer Center.
Sorry about the glare. Couldn't help it. The only place I could back up far enough to get the whole thing (almost) in was by the open shop door. All the light is coming from the shady side of the shop.
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So here are some other shots:
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Since the drawer openings weren't perfectly square, I cut beads around the drawer fronts in order to hide the crooked fitting.
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this is how the upper parts are fastened to the table.
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charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 1:44 am

Here's the back - only the upper part has a backing. The right side back is left open for ventilation in case a tower is put in there. Her computer right now is a desk top and there should be plenty of room for it.

The drawers have been numbered to avoid trying to put them into the wrong hole. The triangle pieces were not necessary for stabilization, but were used for drawer stops.

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END

algale · Post by **algale** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 7:57 am

charlese wrote: Since the drawer openings weren't perfectly square, I cut beads around the drawer fronts in order to hide the crooked fitting.

I'm not familiar with this idea. Does the bead follow the drawer openings or the drawer fronts and, in either case, why does cutting the bead hide the problem?