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Pages: 1 | 2 | Next | (show all) Sandal Woods Threw a curve to a Table Registered: 09/01/04 Posts: 2426 Loc: NW Missouri Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design       #4890664 - 05/21/10 10:30 AM Edit   Reply   Quote   I need your input on the build of the two desks in the image below. ===>> All hardwood construction: Quarter-sawn white oak, and (possibly) black walnut panels. Concept sketches: 1. The executive knee-hole desk on the right is the original design. It has a 30" x 60" top, 1-inch overhang on the sides and the front. 2. However, some new constraints *may* require that the drawer cabinets be mobile, i.e., on wheels (fancy casters, with the trim extending almost to the carpet, to conceal the casters). Thus, the "shell" on the left, with identical dimensions for the sides and the top. I have the following questions: a. Has anyone built something like the shell in the image? b. My concern is that, without substantial support, even a 2-inch top on the shell will likely sag. I have considered moving the modesty panel about 6 inches toward the front, to help with this issue. 3. If you have built something like this, did you incorporate metal framing to minimize the risk of sagging of the top? I look forward to your input. Thanks! Al -------------------- Sandal Woods - Fine Woodworking Post Extras:       DonJuvet Hasn't learned Registered: 06/03/08 Posts: 520 Loc: Northern Cal Re: Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design [Re: Sandal Woods]       #4890712 - 05/21/10 10:54 AM Edit   Reply   Quote   I would be concerned about the racking that will happen if you roll it around. Add a 2" skirt along the unsupported opening to minimize sag. (you could also add one to the center) Build the sides as box columns about 4-6" wide. This gives you more to attach everything to. -------------------- Hangin in by a splinter Post Extras:       MsNomer Wood Recycler Registered: 05/20/05 Posts: 5898 Loc: NorthCentral OK Re: Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design [Re: DonJuvet]       #4890764 - 05/21/10 11:17 AM Edit   Reply   Quote   That top looks rather flimsy given the elegance of the rest of the piece. You've got some room to beef it up. I would be concerned with racking even though the shell doesn't roll. -------------------- Carolyn "It's good to know, but it's better to understand." Auze Jackson www.carriesmission.com Post Extras:       BpB123 Member Registered: 02/13/05 Posts: 469 Loc: So Cal Re: Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design [Re: Sandal Woods]       #4890786 - 05/21/10 11:28 AM Edit   Reply   Quote   You may want to cosider using hidden angle-iron to address the wide-span sag issue. You can face it with wood so it is not seen. It will allow you to have a smaller "skirt" around the top. <not sure I am using the right words here... in essense, the metal has a higher strength to dimension ratio and can be hidden> -Brian Post Extras:       Shovel Man Member Registered: 01/03/06 Posts: 2112 Loc: Michigan Re: Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design [Re: Sandal Woods]       #4892031 - 05/22/10 10:34 AM Edit   Reply   Quote   A 2" thick White Oak top will be pretty stiff. If you and a friend sit on it, it will not break but it will sag some. For lighter duty it should be fine. In fact you can save some wood if you make the front 8" of the top 2" thick and the rest 3/4" thick. Be sure to allow 1/2" minimum clearance to the rolling cabinets for the minimal sag, imperfections in your work, uneven floors etc. Now about those wheels, why not nail on some plastic buttons instead. And you'll want some way to grab and pull the cabinet in any case. (oops, sorry) The joint you use to connect the top to the sides is critical to this design as you know. Since it will have to accomodate a lot of movement, you might want to make the front 6" of the joint solid and strong. Let the rest of the top float on the base. Just use some figure eights or sliding cleats at the back. How about a thru finger joint at the front? I'm thinking 5 fingers 1" x 3/4" if you make the front vertical 1" x 6". Post Extras:       Howardly Member Registered: 01/22/09 Posts: 4449 Loc: Long Island, New York Re: Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design [Re: Sandal Woods]       #4892164 - 05/22/10 01:36 PM Edit   Reply   Quote   I built a computer desk for my son out of 3/4" oak ply similar to the shell you show there. I made the top out of ply with HW edging and removable. The frame has stretchers running across its width, front, back and one in the middle that I used to screw the top onto. The only other thing that holds it together are shelves inside on each inside end. One for the CPU, the other for a sub woofer and they tie the sides to the back for sneaky support. It's very solid. BTW - it measures 55" wide, 36" deep and 30" tall. Edited by Howardly (05/22/10 01:38 PM) Post Extras:       highpi Still Learning... Registered: 07/12/02 Posts: 1260 Loc: Roseville, Ca. Re: Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design [Re: Sandal Woods]       #4892242 - 05/22/10 03:27 PM Edit   Reply   Quote   If I understand it correctly, can you build it like the one on the right but just have the drawer sections slide in and out between vertical panels on each side? IOW, just add two vertical panels to the interior and then design the mobile drawer cabinets to roll in between the panels. The added panels should limit racking and you will still maintain the design elements of the one on the right if that was the preferred design. Just a thought. I hope that makes sense. Ken -------------------- If I could kick the person in the tail that causes me the most problems I could not sit down for a week. - Will Rogers www.me-onefoundation.org Post Extras:       Sandal Woods Threw a curve to a Table Registered: 09/01/04 Posts: 2426 Loc: NW Missouri Re: Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design [Re: Sandal Woods]       #4907880 - 06/03/10 09:36 AM Edit   Reply   Quote   My thanks to all - your feedback is great!!! I will be mocking up the "shell version in heavy-duty cardboard, and putting the top under heavy loads. Maybe this could me *some* idea of the weak spot(s). Any guess where that spot is? My guess: the edge near the center front. Al -------------------- Sandal Woods - Fine Woodworking Post Extras:       Howardly Member Registered: 01/22/09 Posts: 4449 Loc: Long Island, New York Re: Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design [Re: Sandal Woods]       #4907912 - 06/03/10 09:49 AM Edit   Reply   Quote   I just finished building a desk ( only 20" deep) out of 3/4" oak ply that has a 4' span between vertical supports and a 2 1/4" tall hard wood stiffener on the front edge allows me to sit on it without doing it any damage. It does flex a bit under that load but springs right back to flat afterward. HTH Edited by Howardly (06/03/10 09:50 AM) Post Extras:       JGrout member Registered: 08/04/02 Posts: 18106 Loc: Grand Junction CO Re: Request for feedback and suggestions: Desk design [Re: Sandal Woods]       #4908081 - 06/03/10 11:33 AM Edit   Reply   Quote   make your shell utilizing torsion box construction (yes you can still incorporate the raised panels into the sides using a torsion box ) the top would benefit greatly as well, and the weight would be reduced allowing for movement if required. a step back in the side panel fronts would keep the front faces looking as you have them drawn when the cabinets are in place, it would only make a minor change to the inside area when the file units were removed. Joe -------------------- FJS "a man with experience is never at the mercy of one with only an opinion. " ø¤º°¨¨°º¤ø¤°¨¨°º¤ø„¸„ø¤º°¨¨°º¤ø¸¤ø ¸„ø¤º°¨¨°º¤ø ø¤º°¨¨¨°º¤ø ¸„ø¤º°¨¨°º¤ø ¸„ø¤º°¨¨°º¤ø ¸„ø¤º°¨¨°º¤ø,„¤ø ¸„ø¤º°¨¨°º¤ø ø¤º°.... 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