Computer Stand Pt. 4

THE FINISH.

Ok we are getting close. After the glue was dry I sanded the entire stand, I started with 80 grit on the random orbit sander then progressed through the grits.. 120, 180 and 220. Then using 320 grit I switched over to hand sanding for the rest of the project, I sanded it smooth and rounded all the edges making sure nothing was sharp... It amazes me how sharp wood edges can be... but after all the sanding it felt smooth. Something about Oak that makes you just want to touch it. Then I decided to use Watco Danish Oil finish... I applied the first coat using the Dark Walnut color. 

It really gave it a great warm brown color that I think looks great. Here is a close up shot.

Just looking at the color I think I will be applying one more coat of the Dark Walnut color and then switch to a colorless version for the 3rd and possibly 4th coat depending on how much I think it needs. Now I just have to wait around 24 hours for the first coat to dry and then 24 hours after each coat... and hopefully I will be done by the weekend.

Computer Stand Pt. 3

THE GLUE UP!!!!

Ok so today after work I had some time to glue up the computer stand. Ever since I switched to Liquid Hide Glue instead of Yellow Wood Glue (PVA) my glue ups have been so much easier and less stressful. Liquid Hide glue is a relatively new glue... well sort of! Let me explain, Hide glue (yes made from animal hides) has been around for a very long time... thousands of years actually, yellow wood glue (PVA) was the modern glue... came around the early 1900's and it is pretty amazing stuff super strong and quick drying. Now Liquid Hide glue is the modern way of using hide glue. Let me explain the difference, Hide glue must be heated in a pot before it becomes liquid and can be used, which is a real pain in the butt, so liquid hide glue came around and they made hide glue stay liquid at room temperature, so you get the good qualities of hide glue without dealing with heating it up. What are the benefits you ask? Well longer open working time of around 30 mins compared to the 5 to 10 mins of PVA, meaning that you can take longer to glue things up and not have to worry about the glue setting up on you. Another huge benefit is that it cleans up easily with water so squeeze out on the project can be wiped off easily and lastly it doesn't affect the finish... PVA glue if you don't clean it all up you see a spot where the finish doesn't take, but with hide glue the finish works on it just incase you missed a spot when cleaning. Ok enough about glue...

The glue up was pretty easy because I had made the sub-assembly of the shelves so basically it was just put the pieces together and clamp them up. Now we wait overnight to dry and then we start the sanding and sanding and sanding and then my favorite part... THE FINSH... still haven't decided  on a finish but I am leaning towards a danish oil finish...

Computer Stand Pt. 2

Ok as most of you probably know last weekend we went through a heat wave and it got to be around 106 here at the house, and not having AC in the garage/shop it was pretty much impossible to get any work done out there... But this weekend I was able to get back and work on the computer stand.
I started by sub-assembling part of the 2 shelves and cutting all the joinery for the stand.

Then I started dry fitting all the pieces together to see where I needed to fine tune and make sure all the parts fit together. I first fit the bottom rails to the legs.

Then I the bottom shelf and top rails went on, held with clamps, still a dry assembly.

Next I fit the top shelf and clamped everything tight to see how all the joinery was looking.

A close up inspection of the joinery shows that everything is fitting tight and is basically ready for some sanding and the glue up.

Once I marked all the pieces that needed some fine tuning and fitting I went ahead and took the whole thing apart and started sanding, then I did some more sanding and then some more... LOL! I also cut chamfers at the bottom of the legs and prepared everything for the glue up... Stay tuned for Pt. 3 where I will be gluing up the stand and sanding some more. I am still deciding what kind of stain and finish, or no stain and finish, Oil? Shellac? Poly? It will need to stand up to some moderate heat from the computer and any electronics put on top of it, but having the slats should keep it cool.

Computer Stand Pt. 1

So here is the challenge, I have been asked to build a small 2 shelf computer stand, it needs to fit under a desk and have ventilation for the computer, the computer he is using is the new Mac Pro, yes the one that looks like a turbine... Interestingly that computer has the fans running vertical it pulls air from the bottom and pushes it up to the top, so we need a stand which can let air through. What I have come up with is a simple 4 post legs, a top and a shelf. The top and the shelf will be made of 3/4" slats with 3/4" gaps between them held together at the ends. The Dimensions of the project will be close to 16" Tall 22" Long and 9-3/4" Wide.

Initial Design:

Decided to use White Oak for this project and went out and got two 8' long 4/4 boards, the first board is 8" wide and the second was 6" wide.

Rough Board:

I started rough milling the wood, I jointed 1 edge with my #5 hand plane then ran it through my planer to get to 3/4" thickness then cut out the rough slats 15 of them to be exact... rough dimensions are 1-1/2" by 21" (final dimensions will be 1-1/4" x 20"), then I stickered (Put them on boards) them to dry and get acclimated to the shop humidity. Then I started on the legs, which consist of two 3/4" boards laminated together and once dry I cut them to rough dimensions of 17" x 1-3/4" x 1-3/4" (final dimensions will be 16" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/2". That is as far as I got so far... Pieces are all drying in the shop and next I will be gluing the slats together.

Rough Cut Parts: