Offtopic - Suggestions on building a desk?

[mademperor]

I'm looking to build a desk for my room, I later want to build a matching Aquarium Stand.

I was originally thinking of using Aspen 3/4" wood. I've been told that it is way to soft to make a desk out of (would ding and scape easily.)

Now I'm thinking of making it out of 3/4" Oak. (solid wood, Not Plywood.)
I plan on staining it "red oak"

Any suggestions? (also if you have pics of furniture you made post it)

 

[mellowvision]

oak is very hard, and would make a fine desk, or aquarium stand... natural oak wood doesn't particularly need oak stain to look nice, you could clear coat it if you didn't want it darker. you could also use maple, walnut, ash, etc. if you wanted a different color or finish. I'd consider using veneered plywood for the surface, with grain that matches the hardwood. this will save you a lot of time and money building a solid top... but solid tops are nice.

 

[redswi]

I would avoid the aspen all together, it is way too soft for the writing suface of a desk...solid Oak would be fine, but if you don't have the tools to mill it up yourself, glueing up and leveling panels could be a real pain...I myself would use a combo of plywood with solid edging for the basic structure, and solids for the top...I don't have many pics of the furniture I have done, but here are some of my latest projects...If you want to PM me some ideas I could sketch up some plans for you..

Hickory bath with ply and solids

Laundry in paint birch

Kitchen in Maple ply and solids

 

[cdfishie123]

Redswi, you r a great handi man, i would pay you to make some stuff for me if i owned a house, that wont be in about 10 years.

 

[AnDr3w]

I'm looking to build a desk for my room, I later want to build a matching Aquarium Stand.

I was originally thinking of using Aspen 3/4" wood. I've been told that it is way to soft to make a desk out of (would ding and scape easily.)

Now I'm thinking of making it out of 3/4" Oak. (solid wood, Not Plywood.)
I plan on staining it "red oak"

Any suggestions? (also if you have pics of furniture you made post it)

Off topic is my middle name... s.

I used something called 'Sandeply'

Its nice but doesnt have that "soft" smooth wood feeling... : /

 

[AnDr3w]

WOW Redswi your something else.

Your the ultimate king of DIY. Beasts of all beasts! :headbang2:

 

[spirals]

Wow...those are amazing....
my dad made my desk and bed when i was in college (still use the desk). We just found the bottom to a kitchen aisle in through freecycle (the drawers/support) and then used scrapwood to build the other support which includes a boocase and spot for my computer tower to go in. Slap a board on top with the casing (the plasticy stuff that goes over florescent lights) to protect the wood and provide easy cleaning.
the bed was a bunch of 1' by 1' boards that were made into cubes, some 2 by 4's, and 4 large pieces of plywood.

 

[Plecosterone]

I would avoid the aspen all together, it is way too soft for the writing suface of a desk...solid Oak would be fine, but if you don't have the tools to mill it up yourself, glueing up and leveling panels could be a real pain...I myself would use a combo of plywood with solid edging for the basic structure, and solids for the top...I don't have many pics of the furniture I have done, but here are some of my latest projects...If you want to PM me some ideas I could sketch up some plans for you..

:iagree:
Plywood and solid edging is the way to go, and cheaper. The problem with solid lumber is, unless you have a moisture meter to measure the moisture of the wood it will probably warp and check. Even veneered particle board is a good choice (and a lot cheaper) if kept in a controlled environment.

 

[rwilliams254]

Some cinderblocks and a piece of scrap wood.

 

[redswi]

:iagree:
Plywood and solid edging is the way to go, and cheaper. The problem with solid lumber is, unless you have a moisture meter to measure the moisture of the wood it will probably warp and check. Even veneered particle board is a good choice (and a lot cheaper) if kept in a controlled environment.

yes, moisture content is an issue, but when you buy hardwood lumber from the home center(depot,lowes,ect)it will be kiln dried, and more stable...good to go for most projects....constuction lumber(pine, fir,2x) is also kiln dried, but to a higher percent, making it a bad choice for furniture....air dried lumber(small mills, that tree from the back yard)will change dramaticly with the enviorment, and should only be used the the seasoned woodworker...

another choice (what I used for my tank stand) veneered MDF, readily available, very stable, comparable to veneered flakeboard in price.