Question for the seasoned wood workers

[me217]

Hey everyone. I know a few people on here are really good with wood work. Now I'm taking on a big project, I want to build a desk out of actual wood. No ply or mdf or chip board.

Now my main question is what would be the easiest way to make the top. I was thinking make it out of planks and joined together I was wanting a top about 20mm thick.

Yes I know it will be heavy when done. But that's the point. When it's done I want it to look like a $1000 dollar desk.

[Rumpig]

20mm isn't that thick, my solid slab dining table would be closer to 50mm thick.
Might help to give people an idea of what look you are  after...over all size, do you want rustic or modern look, etc etc.

[Bird]

timber slab
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=timber+slab&_sop=16

[me217]

It is going to be a dark stained computer desk. But with a twist. It will also house two computers in the actual desk not just sitting the cases in it. It will be the case. I want a thick desk top. I'm thinking have it on four legs. My father has a lathe I can learn/use. And it will have a back wall with a top shelf sort of like this



But completely different haha. That hole in the back won't be a hole instead it will be wall with two glass panels and the computers will sit sideways in there. With a shelf on top for storage. I'm not going to bother with drawers apart from maybe a keyboard shelf.

Now that probably made no sense to anyone but my self. So when I get a chance I'll scratch up a sketch and post it on here.

[me217]

timber slab
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=timber+slab&_sop=16

Yeah that's the reason for planks. As I want it to look like it cost $1000 but not actually cost much more then that.

[glenm64]

You can join recycled timber planks together with biscuits.
Or go to a timber merchant and see what they have. Some have a nice selection of your non Bunnings variety.
I have used pour on 2 pack resins like Glass Coat to finish to the top. It fills knots and holes and gives a tough finish up to a few mm thick in 1 application.

Cheers Glen

[Bird]

Yeah that's the reason for planks. As I want it to look like it cost $1000 but not actually cost much more then that.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/222192483828/   $240

[me217]

You can join recycled timber planks together with biscuits.
Or go to a timber merchant and see what they have. Some have a nice selection of your non Bunnings variety.
I have used pour on 2 pack resins like Glass Coat to finish to the top. It fills knots and holes and gives a tough finish up to a few mm thick in 1 application.

Cheers Glen

That's what I was after. Any tips for the biscuit joins and keeping things flat. And as for knot holes and such. I have a special plan for them that will really make the desk stand out.

[me217]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/222192483828/   $240

Too small for my plans
As I have to fit two computers and two monitors on the desk and not have it look like its too small.

Also could you use dowels instead of biscuits? As I have a drill but not a biscuit saw

[glenm64]

That's what I was after. Any tips for the biscuit joins and keeping things flat. And as for knot holes and such. I have a special plan for them that will really make the desk stand out.

Biscuit joiner will align tops flat. Use sash clamps or similar when gluing and if you dont have a decent bench to clamp flat on you can use a couple of large timbers cross ways to brace it all flat like this.



Cheers Glen

[me217]

Biscuit joiner will align tops flat. Use sash clamps or similar when gluing and if you dont have a decent bench to clamp flat on you can use a couple of large timbers cross ways to brace it all flat like this.



Cheers Glen

That bloke looks like he knows what he's doing. Wonder if he can knock one up for me.

Can you use dowels or is biscuit joins better?.

[glenm64]

You can use dowels. Biscuits far easier and quicker to use.
Heres a link that shows how easy they are to use.
https://youtu.be/x6kIipnVVOc


Cheers Glen

[Rumpig]

Too small for my plans
As I have to fit two computers and two monitors on the desk and not have it look like its too small.

Also could you use dowels instead of biscuits? As I have a drill but not a biscuit saw

yes you can use dowels, they sell a dowell jig that is easy enough to use with a drill and are relatively cheap to buy, they are just much slower then using a biscuit cutter is all. I used a dowell jig I bought from Bunnings to make a butchers block we have at home, being the top slab is 90mm thick laminated beam off cuts from work I used 2 rows of dowels in it to hold it together...worked a treat
Depending on the look you are going for, I have used some 20mm thick tongue and groove hardwood floor boards as a coffee table top before...I made that as a wedding present for someone. That was easily made, just had some frame under those top boards that was hidden by a surround / ripped down fascia piece of the same floorboard.

[rags]

If you are looking for timber that is already laminated into usable bench top sizes then this company is good to deal with. I recently did a kitchen and sorted my bench in a raw form from them. With a bit of routing and for me biscuit joint for a return bench and lots of sanding, it comes up a treat. They will courier to you.
Also Bunnings (Brisbane area) keep good quality Australian Tasmanian Oak in  various width  x 20mm thick if you want to go the do it yourself route and do biscuit jointing. I used it to build a built in wall unit in the same Reno.the cost Per metre is similar to other timber yards

http://www.brisbanetimberbenchtops.com

[dales133]

Buiscut joiner a d a kregg jig will make your life easier

[Foo]

Make sure it is seasoned and not green, otherwise it will want to twist and bow. 

Foo

[glenm64]

Also take note of the growth ring curves and alternate them. This avoids any possiblity of the boards cupping.
This is what I mean.


Cheers Glen

[me217]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking of possibly using hardwood  sleepers for the top. Either that or floor boards. But I'd prefer larger pieces then narrow pieces.

[GBC]

If you are going to monstrous sections of timber I'd suggest researching joints like wedged tusk tenons so you can knock it down to move it. They will also make the piece look like its was meant to be that way because it is going to look out of proportion.

[glenm64]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking of possibly using hardwood  sleepers for the top. Either that or floor boards. But I'd prefer larger pieces then narrow pieces.

Theres a big set up from floor boards to sleepers. Got me a bit confused there.
Floor boards are already tongue and grooved, makes for easy joining.
Cant see a work station made from sleepers, maybe a train station.

Cheers Glen

[Bird]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking of possibly using hardwood  sleepers for the top.

forget biscuits

[speewa158]

Have a go at a Kreg kit to secure your glued joints . Find Carbetec wood working products .
Check out the cattledog  for wood fasteners . l have had myself excluded from entry as it costs me HUGE   $ if l do go into there showroom  .             

[me217]

forget biscuits

sleepers is probably the wrong word. im thinking the ones the size of those "sleepers" they sell in bunnings. like you would used for a sand pit and such. not the ones that hold up trains hahaha

[oldmate]

forget biscuits

You'll need protein shakes

[Rumpig]

Bunnings sell sleepers in either 200mm wide X 75mm thick or 200mm wide X 50mm thick, just so you know...might help you understand what size you want for your bench top, as you are confusing me (and I'm guessing others also) with what you want....your original post stated 20mm thick timber being used and now it's sounding like you want 50mm timber, but could be 75mm also depending on sleeper size being talked about.