I'm building a 32" wide 24" deep desk with shelves extending up making the entire piece of furniture 72" high
It needs to be strong enough to hold over 150lbs of electronic equipment
I need the cheapest materials that can work for this, be it particle board, metal, fiber glass... etc...
Any ideas?
Go to the hardware store and find some decent plywood, they make some with a nicer finish. I would stay away from particleboard, pretty heavy, and might be a little sketchy with 150lbs on it, depending on the way you reenforce it
Find a local cabinet shop in your area. Ask them if they have any "scraps" of pre-finished wood. It's particle board with a veneer or plastic cover that looks like wood. They will usually give it away for free depending on the company, and the "scraps" are usually about 2 or 3 feet long, sometimes 4x4. Anything that didn't make the cut in one kitchen usually needs to just be tossed so the pieces will match on the new set, so they wind up with a lot of extra material they can't usually use. Sometimes you may have to but it off them, but I've never had an issue getting it for free.
Other than that, get a couple sheets of 3/4" plywood. I've used thinner stuff as desk material and it was a mistake - it will bow eventially. You can buy 2 sheets of 3/4" project grade ply with minimal biscuitting for about $40.00. Then buy yourself some door skins, they come in 4x8 sheets, and you need minimal sanding on them to make very nice looking stuff. Clear coat it and forget it. Door skins are usually 1/8" thick. You just need to glue them to the finished plywood - very easy. Whole project should run you about $150. Or just go buy a desk from Office Max for $150. Your choice. :smile:
Yeah plywood sounds like my best option.
I'll have Home Depot make the cuts, will save me a lot of time and headache at home
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/cab2.png[/img]
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/measurements1.png[/img]
I haven't worked with plywood, but I'd imagine you'd be best routing a channel into the main vertical sections and slotting the horizontals into them. That way you won't be relying on screws/nails to take the load of the structure and its contents.
[QUOTE=HiddenMyst;38942881]I haven't worked with plywood, but I'd imagine you'd be best routing a channel into the main vertical sections and slotting the horizontals into them. That way you won't be relying on screws/nails to take the load of the structure and its contents.[/QUOTE]
For not having worked with it, you are correct.
I was going to use scrap pieces for shelf support, like this
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/CABINET1.png[/img]
[editline]23rd December 2012[/editline]
only thing that at all concerns me is that second shelf up from the bottom, since it lacks a cross beam
[editline]23rd December 2012[/editline]
I got the plywood today, home depot cut it up perfectly for me, really strong "cabinet grade" stuff.
Heavy too.
Just tie the back together somehow. This is how cheap furniture is held together, but usually with a cardboard piece on the back with a bunch of nails. It creates a box beam in a way and is very sturdy. Your second shelf may not matter and will not move once you build the smaller ones on top. Also, I don't know about you, t plywood edges look tacky to me. They sell melamine edging in many different styles that will clean it up.
That's a good plan, have them cut it. Just double check the guy's first cut, sometimes the employees don't really know how to use the tools, I've had them mess up a few cuts for me. They will take it back, but it's best not having to deal with going back and all
*edit*
The design looks good, too!
well, it's coming together, I have it tac'd together with small nails, will fortify it tomorrow with shelf support and poor-man 2x4 brackets.
I'll post some pics tomorrow too
[QUOTE=Barbarian887;38965765]well, it's coming together, I have it tac'd together with small nails, will fortify it tomorrow with shelf support and poor-man 2x4 brackets.
I'll post some pics tomorrow too[/QUOTE]
you did use glue before tacking yes?
[QUOTE=Serj22;38965868]you did use glue before tacking yes?[/QUOTE]
Shit, nope :v:
pics tomorrow, didnt get a chance to work on it today
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