That's my desk right there! Very happy with it and can easily recommend
You've piqued my interest, how would this work ?magnetic gaming desk
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.You've piqued my interest, how would this work ?
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.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.
As told to me by @Toxxyc - custom anything rightfully has a higher unit cost when compared to something mass produced.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?
There's also a difference between custom expensive and "mad expensive.As told to me by @Toxxyc - custom anything rightfully has a higher unit cost when compared to something mass produced.
Fair - it is relative though based on expectations.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.
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?
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
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.There's also a difference between custom expensive and "mad expensive.
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.
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.
Thanks okes. PMs incoming.@goldfritter I can recommend and if you pm me, can send pics on whatsapp. I am very happy with this stand.
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.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.
Can't speak for the rest but I'd rather wait a bit longer for a job done properly, than the alternative. Take your time.Sure. If the top's in good condition, I can either just build a frame for it or renovate the top to look fresh again.
Regarding orders, guys, I'm aware some of you are currently waiting on your stuff. The recent load shedding and out-of-season rains have been kicking my time to work on this down a lot. With load shedding I can't weld, cut, clean or sand, and with the rain I can't weld or paint/varnish, so I'm really sorry, there's a delay but I'm working on it. If I do paint in the rainy weather when it's really humid the varnish and paints tend to bubble up, and oiled finished on wood make streaks, and that's just not what I'd consider to be acceptable, so I rather take a bit longer.