Tag: rack

Studio Desk – Part 5: Attaching the hardware

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Trent Davis3 Comments

This is a continuation of Studio Desk – Part 4: Applying The Finish   For me, all projects have a point where they start to fall apart.  This is what happened here. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with how the desk turned out but I also have a few things that I really want to change.

Attaching the Casters

I decided to go with 3″ polyurethane casters since this is going to sit on hardwood floors.  This was my first mistake in that I grossly underestimated the weight of this desk when completed.  More on this later.

1. Rough-positioning the casters

First I laid out where they would be placed on the underside of the bottom piece.

2. Fine-positioning the locking casters

I roughly centered the wheels on the sections that extend out the back by placing the casters 6-3/4″ from the outside edge…

…and 1″ from the rear edge.  This will allow me to lock the casters when I don’t want the desk rolling around.

3. Attaching the locking casters

I secured the casters with 1-1/2″ button-head screws.

4. Fine-positioning and attaching the middle non-locking casters

The casters that are not at the rear of the desk are non-locking.  I used my combination square to ensure that the middle casters are inline with the rear casters.  These were attached with the same 1-1/2″ button-head philips screws.

5. Finishing up with the front non-locking casters

The casters at the front are more centered to better bear the heavy load of all of the desk gear.

Installing the Rack Hardware

Equipment racks are one of the most overpriced pieces of studio gear and it gives me great pleasure to be able to make my own for a small fraction of the cost.  If you have a use for a studio rack, I highly recommend you try making your own.

1. Positioning the 4-space rack rails

The rack rails were installed so they were 1/8″ from the front of the rack body.  I used two scrap pieces of laminate left over from my router enclosure build to shim between the top and bottom of the rack rails and the inside of the rack body, ensuring that they would be centered and consistent on both the front and back of the racks.

2. Attaching the 4-space rack rails

These rails were attached with screws as well.

Each rack got four rails; two for the front and two for the rear.

3. Determining the location for the grommet

Each rack will have a number of cable pass-throughs.   I wanted the pass-through to be placed towards the back and towards the top, which will make it easier to conceal the cables.  I decided to have the computer pass-through located 2″ from the top of the rack and 5-1/4″ from the rear.  This was a slight mistake, as you’ll see below.

I marked the spot on painters tape and drilled a pilot hole.

4. Prepping the circle-cutter

I used a circle cutter on my cordless drill.

I only used one cutter to do this.  Having the second cutter installed was feeling a bit sketchy.

5. Cutting the circle for the grommet

I used the pre-drilled pilot hole to start cutting

The circle cutter uses the pilot hole to keep it in the proper location.

6. My first major screw-up

This is where I screwed up.  I forgot that the top and bottom of the racks have two layers of 3/4″ particle board rather than just one.  I didn’t calculate that when I decided on a hole placement.  This means that the top of the rack will interfere with the pass-through.

7. Fixing the screw-up

I used a chisel and a rasp to clear out enough room to allow the pass-through grommet to be fully inserted and provide more room for cables.

Much better.

8. Installing the grommet

The grommet fits nicely and covers the jagged edge around the hole.  I used some 5-minute epoxy to secure the grommet in place since the hole cutter didn’t really cut a smooth hole in the particleboard..

9. Taking it all in

This is how the rack will be positioned in the desk.  You can see the pass-through grommet in the upper rear corner on the side of the rack.

10. Ensuring that the PC will fit in the rack

I set the rack on its back and dropped the computer in.  I screwed it to the rack rails but right now there isn’t anything supporting the computer, which is very heavy.

11. Measuring the space under the PC

I set the rack upright again and went around the back.  You can see that there is a gap between the computer and the inside floor of the rack.

I measured that to be 1-1/8″.

12. Making the PC supports

I cut two strips of MDF at that width and slightly tapered the end on a disc sander.  These will go between the computer and the rack floor to help support the computer.  The taper at the end will make it easier to insert the computer from the front.

This is where the wood supports will be placed.

13. Installing the 8-space rack rails

I installed the 8-space rack rails to the larger two racks in the same manner.  They don’t need the wooden supports added to them but I did install a few grommets on both the left and right to allow the cables to pass between the boxes.

Installing the Leg Mounts

The leg mounting hardware needs to be mounted in a way that will allow each of the three racks to be installed in either location.  This didn’t seem like it would be that big of a problem but it took some thinking before I could even get started.  Each rack unit will have three legs; two on the sides towards the outside of the desk and one underneath towars the inside of the desk.  I decided to start with the legs on the sides.

1. Steel-Tek hardware

The side flange is part number 679-804HC from Steel-Tek and can be bought from Lowes.

The floor flange is part number 673-104HC from Steel-Tek and can be bought from Lowes.

2. Determining the position of the side flanges

I positioned the side flange on the side of the rack as far forward as I could.  I positioned it 3-1/2″ down from the top.  This doesn’t add anything in terms of stability, it just looked best and it ensured that the bolts I used to attach the bracket wouldn’t hit the screws for the rail hardware.

3. Attaching the side flanges

The side flanges were installed on both sides of one of the larger 8-space racks.  I will install them on the other rack later.

4. Attaching the side flanges

By using some temporary leg rails I was able to place the PC rack on top of one of the larger 8-space racks.  This allowed me to determine the locations for the side flanges.

The side flanges were attached three and a half inches from the top, just to be consistent.

5. Positioning the first floor flange

Then it got a bit squirrely.  I took the PC rack off the larger 8-space rack.  Then I turned the 8-space rack upside down and set the PC rack back on top and installed the temporary leg rails.   I then used another temporary leg rail and two of the leg mounting brackets and one of the floor flanges, which will be installed on the underside of each of the 8-space racks.

This is how the flange looked after it was installed.

6. Installing the legs

I cut smaller tubes for the legs that will be installed in the flanges.  Then, to get an idea of how it will all look, I put it all together on the workbench, complete with the flanges that will be attached to the desk base.

Attaching the Legs to the Base

New I get to take it all out of my shop and move it into the studio.  I could almost sense my shop breathing a congested sigh of relief as I moved the components out.  Don’t worry, little shop.  I’ll fill you with tripping hazards again soon.

1. Positioning the right-side rack.

With the legs installed on one of the larger racks, I positioned the legs and flanges in position, using the wall to ensure the outside face of the rack is flush with the outside face of the base.  I set the flanges on blue shop towels to make sure I didn’t scratch the base.

2. Dealing with another screw-up

This is another area where I realized that I really screwed up.  As you can see, the flange sticks out past the edge of the base.

I rotated the flange 45-degrees so I could attach it to the base with three bolts rather than just two.

3. Attaching the right-side flanges

All three flanges were attached with 1-1/2″ lag bolts.

4. Attaching the left-side flanges

I performed the same procedure for attaching the flanges on the left side.  To test it out, I installed the PC rack.  It went into place perfectly.

5. Attaching the center flanges

I installed the flanges for the central rack using the rack from the right side.

To make sure that the central rack has the side flanges installed correctly, I used the first 8-space rack to position them by removing that rack from the desk and setting the second rack upside-down on top of it.

6. Attaching the side flanges for the second 8-space rack

I inserted the leg rails in the lower rack and then attached the side flanges in place.  I positioned them 3-1/2″ from the lower edge.

7. Attaching the floor flange on the second 8-space rack

To install the central flange on the underside of the second rack, I set it upside-down on the floor and used the PC rack to position the flange just like I did with the other 8-space rack.

8. Installing the legs and upper flanges

Once I was done with the racks, I set them aside and installed each of the legs and the top flanges.  I left the racks off because I need to attach the flanges to the underside of the desk top and the racks will just be in my way.

Putting it All Together

The hard work is over and now it’s time to put it all together.  I’m really getting tired of working on this, mainly because of how much space it is taking up in my shop so this is a very welcome moment.

1. Positioning the desk top

I placed the desk top loosely in place.  It actually started to resemble a desk at this point.

2. Marking the hole locations

From underneath I could see where I needed to drill the holes for the lag bolts.  This is where I almost screwed up.  I realized that there was some play in the flanges and that would cause the legs to tip a bit.  In order to ensure that everything was installed correctly and that the racks would be able to go on squarely, I reinstalled the racks and placed the desktop back on then marked the holes with a silver Sharpie, then rook the top and the racks back off, put the top back on and lined up the holes, then drilled the holes for the lag bolts and attached the flanges.  These parts are very heavy and this was a LOT easier said than done.  As a result, I was too flustered to take photos of that agonizing process.

3. Installing the racks

Once the flanges were attached, I removed the top and reinstalled the racks.

4. Attaching the desk top

After that I finally put the top back on and the desk assembly was complete.

This concludes part 5.

Closing remarks

This was a pain in the butt.  Each of these pieces weighs a ton and was very difficult to maneuver.

This is also where I ran into a major problem.  The desk is too heavy for the casters.  It’s so heavy that the casters get a flat spot on them if the desk sits in one spot for any length of time.

I don’t know why I missed this but I think it is a good representation of the dangers of keeping your focus on one little detail and not taking in the entire picture.  I was so focused on getting polyurethane wheels that I totally missed the weight issue.

I might try doubling up on the casters.

The next step is to do the electrical.

If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.  I’d love to see any desk builds you’ve done.  Also, if you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my mailing list so you get e-mail notifications when I post new articles.

Studio Desk – Part 4: Applying the Finish

,
Trent Davis

 

This is a continuation of Studio Desk – Part 3: Assembling the Racks

 

Now that the components are built, they’re ready to be stained and finished.

I was going for a specific look that I think worked but I’m having my doubts that I’ll be happy with it in the long run.  I was inspired by a piece that I saw at a restaurant a while ago.  They used plywood where I used particleboard but what I was drawn to was the feel of the piece.  The best way I could describe it was “too much poly with no sanding between coats”.  You couldn’t feel any wood grain through the finish but you could feel the brush marks.

I figured that for this piece, I might as well try to replicate that since I liked it so much.  I think I succeeded but now I’m not sure how much I like it.

 

Staining the wood

I started with the parts all sanded and ready for stain.

 

Before applying stain or finish, I like to wipe down the material with denatured alcohol.  This helps remove loose dust particles.

 

I’m applying Varathane brand Kona wood stain using a cheap foam brush.

 

I recommend having someone help when staining something this big.  One person can apply the stain and the other can follow up with a towel to remove the excess after letting it sit for a few minutes.  Since it was just me working on this, I had to apply the stain in sections and then wipe it off before moving on to the next section.  This can be tricky since the stain can overlap and make for darker sections.

 

I used blue shop towels to wipe up the excess stain.

 

I really like the look of the particleboard with the Kona stain applied.

 

I applied the stain to one side and let it sit overnight, then applied to the opposite side.

 

The areas that I patched up take the stain differently, as expected.

 

 

Applying polyurethane to the upper section

Once the stain set up, I started applying Varathane brand polyurethane matte finish.

 

Foam brushes cause bubbles in polyurethane so you’ll want to use a decent synthetic brush.

 

It goes on milky but dries clear.

 

This is how I did the top surface of the upper section of the desk.  The underside of the upper section just had three coats of polyurethane applied.

I let the first coat dry for a few hours.  You can see on closer inspection that the wood still has a bit of a rough texture that you can feel through the polyurethane.  Normally, I would lightly sand between coats, regardless what the instructions say.  I chose not to in an effort to add a subtle texture to the finish.  My goal is to apply enough finish so it has more of a plasticy feel to it.

 

The second coat was applied.

 

I let that cure for a few hours.

 

The third coat was applied without any sanding.

 

After letting it dry, I really liked the look and I could have stopped here but I wanted to add several more layers to give it the look and feel I was after.

 

I added a fourth coat.

 

And let it dry.

 

It’s starting to get that “too much poly” look that I’m after but there are a few high spots that I wanted to knock back.  I decided that I would sand the surface with a 220-grit adhesive-backed sanding disc.

I grabbed a scrap piece of MDF to use as a sanding block and stuck the disc to it.

 

This resulted in a nice flat sanding block.

 

I sanded the high spots off then went over it again with a piece of 0000 steel wool.

 

I made sure to wipe all the sanding dust off.  I didn’t want to introduce a chemical to the finish at this point so I just went over it a few times with blue shop towels.

 

Then I applied a fifth coat of polyurethane.

 

After letting it dry for a few hours I could still see some of the sanded areas through the finish.

 

A close up shows that the finish still has a texture to it but the gritty bumps have been removed.

 

This is really starting to feel ridiculous, but I added a sixth layer of polyurethane.

 

I can still see a few dull spots form the sanding.

 

A closer look shows the slightly duller areas left over from the sanding.  I am actually pretty happy with the texture at this point but I figured one more coat should hide the rough spots.

 

I applied the seventh and final coat.

 

All done.  Now I just need to let it cure for a week.

 

 

 

Applying polyurethane to the lower section

I applied the polyurethane to the lower section in the exact same manner as I did on the upper section.

I first tackled the underside of the lower section.  As with the upper section, I put three coats of polyurethane on the underside.

 

I let it sit for two days.                     

 

I flipped it over and applied the polyurethane to the underside.

The first coat.

 

The second coat.

 

The third coat.

 

The fourth coat.

 

Like the upper section, I sanded the high spots after the fourth coat.

 

The fifth coat.

 

The sixth coat.

 

I didn’t get a photo of the seventh coat after it had dried but here it is shortly after applying the final coat.

 

Applying polyurethane to the racks

Again, I applied three coats to the undersides of the racks and seven coats to the sides that will be seen.

I wanted to try something different with the racks.  Instead of using glue and sawdust, I tried Elmer’s Wood Filler.  I applied some to all of the seams then sanded it flat.  This stuff doesn’t accept stain very well and I wanted to see how it would look since I’m going for a rough industrial look.  You can see some applied near the edges of the racks.  It shows up as lighter spots.  Personally, I think they add some texture and character.  Elmer’s makes a stainable wood filler but I wanted a rough look here so I went with the regular kind.

 

I added the first coat.

 

Then the second.

 

And the third.

 

Then the fourth.

 

I lightly sanded the racks after the fourth coat.

 

Then I applied the fifth coat.

 

And the sixth.

 

Then finally the seventh.

 

This concludes part 4.

 

Closing remarks

I think I succeeded in getting the finish how I originally wanted it, but I’m not so sure how much I like it now that it’s complete.  I guess I’ll grow accustomed to it over time.  Also, I can just remake them if I don’t like it.

 

The next step is to attach the hardware then install and configure the electrical components.

 

If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.  I’d love to see any desk builds you’ve done.  Also, if you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my mailing list so you get e-mail notifications when I post new articles.

 

 

Studio Desk – Part 3: Assembling the Racks

,
Trent DavisOne Comment

The top and bottom are ready to be stained and finished.  I’m going a bit out of order at this point.  I have already finished the top and the underside of the bottom but I’m going to bundle that in with my next post.  Here, I’m going to show how I assembled the carcases for the racks.

If you look closely, you will notice the stained desk bottom in the background of some of these photos.

 

I started with the boards all cut.  I’m not going to show you how I did this since it’s just a bunch of cutting at the table saw and is quite boring.  For something like this, I think it’s really important to clearly label the pieces.  I did this with blue painters tape and a Sharpie.

 

Assembling the PC Case

Before doing any glue-up I like to do a dry fit just to make sure I haven’t screwed anything up.  I did this with some corner clamps and a quick-release clamp.  Everything looks good.

 

I decided not to have any visible fasteners on the wooden parts of the desk so I’m holding the whole thing together with a butt-load of Titebond II wood glue.  Here, I am attaching the inside of the tops and bottoms to the outside of the tops and bottoms of the PC case.  I spread a good amount of wood glue on the underside of the insides…

 

…then flip them over and lay them on the outsides.  I used a scrap piece of 3/4″ particleboard up against the inside piece to ensure that they are positioned correctly.

 

Then I clamped it all up and let them sit for about a half hour.

 

I tend to over-glue (as you’ll see in a bit) so there is usually some squeeze-out that I have to clean up.  For particle board I prefer to let it cure quite a bit then come back with a chisel to take the glue beads off. In this case I wasn’t allowing enough time for the glue to cure so I had some messy blobs to work around.  This wasn’t a problem as you’ll see in the next step.

 

The two pieces glued up effectively make a piece that is 1-1/2″ thick with a 3/4″ X 3/4″ rabbet along two edges.  I applied glue along these edges so I could attach the sides.

 

I used quick release clamps to hold one side in place while I maneuvered the second side in place.

 

The same quick-release clamps held both sides in place so I could drop the top assembly in place.

 

The top is just like the bottom so I added glue to the rabbets.

 

I dropped the top part in place and  kept the clamps loose enough so I could  nudge the pieces so they were well aligned.

 

Rather than make the side pieces on the inside of each rack the entire length of the rack itself, I made them 4″ wide.  This will accomplish a few things.  It will lighten each rack a bit, although they still weigh a ton.  Mainly, they will aid with airflow.  Also, I’m installing cable pass-through grommets and they work best when the material they are going through is 3/4″ thick.  I cut four pieces for the sides of each rack and slathered on the glue.

 

I then clamped them in place.

 

After letting it sit overnight, the PC rack is assembled and ready to be shaped and cleaned up.

 

Assembling the Two Racks

I then repeated the process for the equipment racks.  The tops and bottoms were glued up and ready to be assembled with the sides.

 

 

Lots and lots of clamps were used for the assembly since I am relying on glue to hold this all together.

 

As you can see, I got a little crazy with the wood glue.  It cleans up easy enough and shouldn’t interfere with the finish at all.

 

Too much glue is better than not enough.

 

 

Cleaning up the Racks

I used a random orbital sander to clean up the edges on one face of each rack.

 

I also cleaned up the tops and bottoms.

 

To clean up the final face, and to ensure that both of the equipment racks are the same depth, I shaved off the edge of the last side at the table saw.

 

I shaved off just enough to clean up each edge.

 

Once each face was clean, I decided to try something different.  I’m going for a rough industrial look with this.  I had seen a piece of furniture once that was made with MDF and had some (what I assume is) wood filler in certain parts.  The way that the filler reacted with the stain and finish had a really interesting rough look.  I decided that I would try this on the racks.  If I end up not liking it, I can always just remake the racks.

 

I spread wood filler into each seam and let it sit for an hour.

 

After letting it sit I cleaned up the edges with my random orbital sander then applied a 1/4″ roundover to each edge just like when I made the desk top and bottom.

 

I cleaned up the routed edges with my random orbital sander again as well as with some careful hand sanding.

 

 

 

This concludes part 3.

 

Closing remarks

They’re all ready to be stained and finished.

 

As I said before, I don’t have a lot of room in my shop right now so it’s difficult to get this built but it’ll be worth it in the end.

 

If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.  I’d love to see any desk builds you’ve done.  Also, if you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my mailing list so you get e-mail notifications when I post new articles.