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[For Sale] Custom desks, stands, tables, brackets and other surfaces or racks!

Location
  1. Pretoria
Province
  1. Gauteng
Warranty
No
Condition
  1. New
Have had a read through the thread. Quite interested myself so might be in touch at some point @Toxxyc. Finding a decent desk that isn't priced in the billions but also meets all my requirements has turned out to be a difficult task over the past few months.

I'll get some ideas together when I have some time and drop you a PM.
You're more than welcome. Standard desks have kinda become my "thing" now, and while I'm not at MrPrice Home prices, I'm definitely leagues ahead in quality. Ask someone like @Ninja_Theory how his turned out, and that wasn't a cheap build.
 
Could you do a basic test bench ?

Just needs to house a psu, have standoffs for easy motherboard changing, relatively solid and can hide most cables

I'm sure it'll be possible. Send me a possible design and I'll get on it?
Okay now we're talking how hadn't I thought of that in the past.

If this happens would love to see how it turns out.
 
I've already got an idea for it in mind, so yeah I think it'll be totally do-able.

Also, bump!
 
Bump. Working on a few quotes right now, guys, so time is a bit pressing, but I'm getting around to it!
 
Bump! Another one being dropped off today!
 
Sure. Not all is according to how I would have preferred to do it, but it's how the customers wanted it. There's more, but I can't find pics now:

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Hah thanks, appreciate it. So far no unhappy clients, so holding thumbs it stays that way...
 
Thanks for the kind words, mate! Another happy customer then, I'd say!

Next up, a quote for a magnetic gaming desk (waiting on some prices here), a U-shaped office desk and a built-in custom cabinet with cable management for a hifi system, some shelving and space for all the stuff that's in the current shitty cabinet.

Busy busy busy...
 
You've piqued my interest, how would this work ?
The idea is a regular steel frame, with a wooden top, and the top would then be cladded with a powdercoated steel sheet, probably 1.6mm or so thick. I'm still waiting on a price on the steel sheet's powdercoating, it doesn't seem like people are really interested too much.

If the price for powdercoating isn't too bad, I'm hoping to powdercoat the entire frame as well, and it can be done in a variety of colours. The idea with the steel top and frame is to then use neodymium magnets to build things like cable clips and headset holders and mouse bungees and so on that you can magnetically attach anywhere on the frame, wherever you'd like.

I can do it with a regular sprayed finish as well, but I'm worried it'll chip or rub off too easily as spray typically isn't the hardest wearing. That's what you want powdercoating for.
 
His requirement was "strong, sturdy, stable, and secure enough to hold a 15kg PC". The result, if you ask me, will hold 10 times that, easy. I overshot the design a bit, and made it way stronger than it needs to be, using steel for the frame and laminated (and varnished) pine for the top. This thing will outlast his PC 10 to 1, if you ask me.

Then, talking about this to a few guys offline, there seem to be a gap in the market for this sort of thing. I learned A LOT about building these from this first attempt, and I'm sure I'll be able to do future builds for cheaper as well (first run is always expensive). People seem to want solid desks and stands for their goods, doesn't have to be gaming related either.
I haven't been through all six pages so I haven't seen pics, but if you can build strong desks I think the world is your oyster.

I have an old steel (not alu) desk from the early 90s that I won't part with for love or money. It weighs in at just under 40kgs (cost a bloody fortune to bring it up from CPT), it has a sliding surface with a cable management tray across the width at the back, cable management built into the legs, etc, but it can comfortably support 250kgs.

My FIL gave my oldest a modern computer desk that wobbles when you push the side with two fingers. I sure as hell wouldn't lean on it, but I have danced a bit tipsy on mine. They don't make things the way they used to - if you make them the way they used to, you'll have a market for sure.
 
I have an idea for a PC stand. Simple steel frame, rubber feet, wood top (any sturdy, dark wood - even pine with a dark stain), around 730H x 340W x 680D. Maybe with a second, lower shelf ~200mm above the ground on which to mount a PSU. And (might be wishful thinking) a headphone hook on the front, screw-mounted so it can be removed if necessary.

Kinda like the second thing in this post: https://carbonite.co.za/index.php?t...d-other-surfaces-or-racks.385487/post-2750068 But without a middle shelf. (Or with a middle shelf? Might be useful actually...)

Would that be feasible and not mad expensive?
 
I have an idea for a PC stand. Simple steel frame, rubber feet, wood top (any sturdy, dark wood - even pine with a dark stain), around 730H x 340W x 680D. Maybe with a second, lower shelf ~200mm above the ground on which to mount a PSU. And (might be wishful thinking) a headphone hook on the front, screw-mounted so it can be removed if necessary.

Kinda like the second thing in this post: https://carbonite.co.za/index.php?t...d-other-surfaces-or-racks.385487/post-2750068 But without a middle shelf. (Or with a middle shelf? Might be useful actually...)

Would that be feasible and not mad expensive?
As told to me by @Toxxyc - custom anything rightfully has a higher unit cost when compared to something mass produced.
 
Have you found a way to make a desk Height adjustable as yet? not looking for anything crazy just like a 10cm adjustment for fine tuning. @Toxxyc
 
As told to me by @Toxxyc - custom anything rightfully has a higher unit cost when compared to something mass produced.
There's also a difference between custom expensive and "mad expensive.
 
I haven't been through all six pages so I haven't seen pics, but if you can build strong desks I think the world is your oyster.

I have an old steel (not alu) desk from the early 90s that I won't part with for love or money. It weighs in at just under 40kgs (cost a bloody fortune to bring it up from CPT), it has a sliding surface with a cable management tray across the width at the back, cable management built into the legs, etc, but it can comfortably support 250kgs.

My FIL gave my oldest a modern computer desk that wobbles when you push the side with two fingers. I sure as hell wouldn't lean on it, but I have danced a bit tipsy on mine. They don't make things the way they used to - if you make them the way they used to, you'll have a market for sure.

Yeah my stuff is sturdy, I'll be honest. You can ask anyone. I typically do the "sit test" on all my desks, and some of them far, FAR exceed that. The printer table with the thicker grey tops in my pictures above was made to hold a heavy printer, with some stuff under it, and that thing is superbly strong. Will easily hold 250kg as well, and while heavy, it's not THAT heavy. Strong doesn't have to be thick and heavy.

The desk I did for @SirAfroPanda was made using regular 25mm square tubing, and it's 1.6m wide and 60cm deep. When I sent him the first pics of it via WhatsApp I could read his panic when he "just wanted to ask if it's sturdy enough". I assured him it is, and he's happy.

Some of the other stuff I've built I've done with much thicker steel tubing, like the coffee table using 50mm square tubing, but that's purely for looks. For what it is, it's totally and completely overkill. Making something sturdy isn't as much about the material you're using, it's about HOW you fix it together, and that's the golden part. I've practiced with my weld a lot now over the last few months and I'm at the point where I don't even weld the outside edges anymore as it's not required. SirAfroPanda can also check his desk - the outside joints aren't welded. They're merely filled up with spot putty to look neat, sanded down and then sprayed. I only weld on the inside and lower edges that aren't visible.

I have an idea for a PC stand. Simple steel frame, rubber feet, wood top (any sturdy, dark wood - even pine with a dark stain), around 730H x 340W x 680D. Maybe with a second, lower shelf ~200mm above the ground on which to mount a PSU. And (might be wishful thinking) a headphone hook on the front, screw-mounted so it can be removed if necessary.

Kinda like the second thing in this post: https://carbonite.co.za/index.php?t...d-other-surfaces-or-racks.385487/post-2750068 But without a middle shelf. (Or with a middle shelf? Might be useful actually...)

Would that be feasible and not mad expensive?

Yeah sure, it's doable. It seems similar to the one I built for @Eon a few months ago. Literally just a stand to sit a PC on. His was a bit of work and still a lot of practice went into it, but I know the process by now. Stained pine is definitely an option but I can do all kinds of solid woods in 25mm thickness as well. Kiaat is a popular (and beautiful) choice, and if you don't mind a top made up with various planks (150mm is the regular width) I can actually do it on a relatively neat budget as well.

Again, 25mm square tubing is a popular choice as it's relatively cheap (you pay for steel per weight), and if welded properly it's stupidly strong, specially over shorter distances like what you have in mind.

Have you found a way to make a desk Height adjustable as yet? not looking for anything crazy just like a 10cm adjustment for fine tuning. @Toxxyc

Nothing that's really user-friendly, to be honest. I can do something, but it will either be a mission to set up each time you want to adjust it, or it'll be flimsier than I'm happy to hand over.

I'd recommend sitting at various desks and deciding what height you want. Alternatively I can make the desk at the max height you want, and cut it down if you want it shorter. That's a cheap way to check it out.

Actually, I just had an idea. Perhaps a thicker outside tube with a thinner one inside it, with different lengths to control the height. It'll be way less flimsy as well. Hmmm.... If you want to adjust the height, you just replace the feet.
 
@goldfritter I can recommend and if you pm me, can send pics on whatsapp. I am very happy with this stand.
 
There's also a difference between custom expensive and "mad expensive.
This, a hundred times over. Not everyone, and people seem to be coming around these days, but some people still think I can build a quality desk and make it worth my time (keeping in mind it takes HOURS to do even a simple build), for the same price that Makro sells a cheapie. It's simply not possible. If the raw materials cost me R1,200 to buy (steel, wood, tools) and it takes me a morning to do the welding and sanding and filling with spot putty and all that, it still takes me time after the fact to apply varnishes, in several layers. Between the layers there's careful sanding that has to be done, and all that takes a lot of time. A wet top can't be just left outside, because rain will ruin it, so it has to be moved somewhere safe and clean. All this adds up, and if I make R1k-ish on a medium build, I don't think it's a lot considering the time and effort it takes.

Also, that's time and effort excluding the quotation phase. Some designs and some orders are really simple and only takes a few minutes, but some of these builds have taken literally hours of time just to fine tune to what the customer wants. The worst is when I go through hours of these kinds of quoting work, only to be told "oh sorry, I don't have the money right now" and then it's time down the drain.

Keeping in mind I do a full-time day job as well as another side-job as well. Time lost is money lost.

Because of this actually I'm considering charging for quotes. I was thinking I'd do a free first quote, and then do a free adjustment on the quote once. After that, it's a R100 per change, minimum. If I have to drive around and spend time on the phone to get custom numbers for you, that's going to cost you. However, take the job and make it worth my time and I might just waive those costs in some cases as well.
 
Actually, I just had an idea. Perhaps a thicker outside tube with a thinner one inside it, with different lengths to control the height. It'll be way less flimsy as well. Hmmm.... If you want to adjust the height, you just replace the feet.

That sounds like it could work, maybe holes every 2cm on the legs and use a metal dowel with a pin to lock it in place.

I'm moving on Friday and once all my stuff is in I can do some measurements on the desk I want and will be contacting you.
 
Yeah sure, it's doable. It seems similar to the one I built for @Eon a few months ago. Literally just a stand to sit a PC on. His was a bit of work and still a lot of practice went into it, but I know the process by now. Stained pine is definitely an option but I can do all kinds of solid woods in 25mm thickness as well. Kiaat is a popular (and beautiful) choice, and if you don't mind a top made up with various planks (150mm is the regular width) I can actually do it on a relatively neat budget as well.

Again, 25mm square tubing is a popular choice as it's relatively cheap (you pay for steel per weight), and if welded properly it's stupidly strong, specially over shorter distances like what you have in mind.
@goldfritter I can recommend and if you pm me, can send pics on whatsapp. I am very happy with this stand.
Thanks okes. PMs incoming.
 
This, a hundred times over. Not everyone, and people seem to be coming around these days, but some people still think I can build a quality desk and make it worth my time (keeping in mind it takes HOURS to do even a simple build), for the same price that Makro sells a cheapie. It's simply not possible. If the raw materials cost me R1,200 to buy (steel, wood, tools) and it takes me a morning to do the welding and sanding and filling with spot putty and all that, it still takes me time after the fact to apply varnishes, in several layers. Between the layers there's careful sanding that has to be done, and all that takes a lot of time. A wet top can't be just left outside, because rain will ruin it, so it has to be moved somewhere safe and clean. All this adds up, and if I make R1k-ish on a medium build, I don't think it's a lot considering the time and effort it takes.

Also, that's time and effort excluding the quotation phase. Some designs and some orders are really simple and only takes a few minutes, but some of these builds have taken literally hours of time just to fine tune to what the customer wants. The worst is when I go through hours of these kinds of quoting work, only to be told "oh sorry, I don't have the money right now" and then it's time down the drain.

Keeping in mind I do a full-time day job as well as another side-job as well. Time lost is money lost.

Because of this actually I'm considering charging for quotes. I was thinking I'd do a free first quote, and then do a free adjustment on the quote once. After that, it's a R100 per change, minimum. If I have to drive around and spend time on the phone to get custom numbers for you, that's going to cost you. However, take the job and make it worth my time and I might just waive those costs in some cases as well.
Yip absolutely agree with you, the more complex the requirements and especially if they go wasting your time and then not pony up the money for the build once you've designed the whole thing especially multiple times. There's a reason I haven't contacted you in any serious manner regarding a test bench.

Although if you're getting decent pricing on power coating it really makes me want to save up and then book that build.
 
TLDR; Never work for free or pay your "potential customer" for work - your time is worth money.

Simple flat rate for basic quotes (i.e. items you have designed and built before) - R250-R350.
Quotes for custom pieces R750 minimum and depending on how complex the design/costing is up to R1500-R2500.

If the client accepts your quote/design absorb the cost in the final price.

If they don't accept your quote, in the case of custom design and cost calculation, give them the design plans and material lists. The customer can then either build it themselves or get someone "who thinks it's easy" to mess it up or wipe their butt with it. But you don't sit with the scenario where end up working for free or paying someone for possibly accepting your quote/design that you have spent time on - and they get the plans and material lists (win-win).

mike drop...
 
do NOT share your supplier details. Finding reliable honest and well-priced suppliers should be your most valuable trade secret.
 
Yeah I don't share my suppliers at all, although they're not hard to find.
 

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