Forging ahead at last (warning lots of pics)

[mailee]

Well I have been back in the workshop and forging ahead with the long overdue computer desk. I have to admit that SWMBO has been patient waiting for this but I am getting there.
I have now fitted the plinth to the drawer unit:

On the opposite end is the shelf unit which will house the printer and scanner:

The desktop is made out of two layers of 18mm MDF and edged with stained pine:

This is in two sections which will be joined in an 'L' shape

I have had some headaches with the pine trim on the top as it took some bending as you can imagine:

This one gave the most trouble with such a tight curve to follow and I did manage to get a little breakout on it:

I have also started staining the plinth for the shelf unit and made some blanks for the cable holes in the top:

You may notice the drawers below the table in the picture of the top which were finished earlier last week with a matching trim around the edges.
I have a lot of finishing to do now and hope to have it complete by the weekend. That should keep SWMBO happy. :wink:

 

[motownmartin]

Hi Alan, some good work there, what would be interesting for me is how did you shape that trim, I thought that you could only shape wood like this by laminating.

 

[mailee]

You are correct there Martin, it is laminated. I cut the pine into three sections of approx 1/4" and then with a little help from the steam iron bent them over a former. I still had to bend the tight one a little more while fitting it to the desktop hence the breakout on one of the pieces. Still I managed to hide it a little so not too bad.

 

[motownmartin]

It's turned out well, can't really tell it's 3 laminates.

 

[gwaithcoed]

Excellent, Love the curves, must keep SWMBO away from the forum in case she wants one like it.

Alan.

 

[speed]

how long did the curves take? looks cool,

 

[Waka]

Mailee

Looking very good indeed, looks like you had the odd challenge there.

 

[Mike.C]

Excellent job Mailee.

The only trouble is I cannot see the 718 in use anywhere :roll:

Cheers

Mike

 

[mailee]

Well Speed, the curves took far too long as they were completed over three days! I had to apply one lamination at a time after bending to rough shape on a former. I did originally try bending them all together but it was proving too much for the Pine. I do not have a steam box so had to resort to the good old steam iron and lots of clamps. Well you could say that Waka! I will go and give myself these challenges as it was my own design and I should have known better having built one along similar lines before. Still I do like a challenge and I think it hasn't turned out too bad so far. Just hope SWMBO feels the same way. My last project for her @shoe cabinet' is housing some firewood in the garden now as she didn't like it! I have another smaller one to build for her. :roll: It is funny you should mention the 718 Mike as I did actually use it in anger cutting the trim for this project. After using a cheap Power pro one for so long it is like heaven to use the De Walt, so smooth and quiet! not to mention accurate. :wink:

 

[Mike.C]

Mailee,

It is funny you should mention the 718 Mike as I did actually use it in anger cutting the trim for this project. After using a cheap Power pro one for so long it is like heaven to use the De Walt, so smooth and quiet! not to mention accurate.

I agree. Hell of a lot more money, but it will last you a lifetime and is a joy to use.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Waka]

Mailee

I made a steam box out of some 18mm ply offcuts and an argos £19.00 wallpaper stripper, it works very well. Mind you the thickest wood I've tackled so far has been just over 1/4", still fun to play around with though.

Keep the pic's coming.

 

[mailee]

Yes Waka I have been thinking of making something along those lines myself. I read that a good steam generator can be made by using an old Baby Burco type boiler and sitting the box on top of this. I may have a go next year when I have more time. :wink:

 

[mailee]

Almost there now. I have finished painting the MDF and will need to leave it until tomorrow before I polish the finish. Here are the pics of how it is looking.

I did manage to get a bit of the white paint on the stained wood in a couple of places but will soon rectify that tomorrow when it is hard. I will be glad to see the back of it now so i can get my new table saw installed in the workshop at long last.

 

[Waka]

Mailee is that a spray finish or wit a brush? keep them coming.

 

[mailee]

Hi Waka, yes it was sprayed with a water based white. It did pick up a lot of dust wich I expected spraying it in the shop. (No other choice at the moment) it has nibbed well though and should polish up well I think. :wink: