Thread: Custom computer table top with curved edges

Yes, plywood loves splintering when cut. This can be avoided by sandwiching the sandwich between sacrificial boards. But then when it comes to bullnose routing it you would start to expose layers of glue and possibly voids between the layers.

Why not glue 3 wide boards of Radiata Pine together and jig saw that? You can get it in ~300mm widths, and it would be 19mm thick (which I think would be enough). If you don't have the gear or knowledge to laminate the three planks together I'm sure someone would be glad to help.

Then you could bullnose route the edges with a bearing bit. Stain it if you wish but it will go a nice honey colour in time (depending on the light exposure)

Forgot to add that the arms off the wall should assist in keeping the assembly flat (or attach a couple of hardwood lengths underneath).

If you're putting a radius on it, it doesn't matter if the edge splinters because it'll get cut out anyway by the router. Don't use ply if you're getting a 2-pack finish, MDF is better for that.

I'd offer to cut it on our CNC, but I'm in Melbourne.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Yes, plywood loves splintering when cut. This can be avoided by sandwiching the sandwich between sacrificial boards. But then when it comes to bullnose routing it you would start to expose layers of glue and possibly voids between the layers.

Why not glue 3 wide boards of Radiata Pine together and jig saw that? You can get it in ~300mm widths, and it would be 19mm thick (which I think would be enough). If you don't have the gear or knowledge to laminate the three planks together I'm sure someone would be glad to help.

Then you could bullnose route the edges with a bearing bit. Stain it if you wish but it will go a nice honey colour in time (depending on the light exposure)

Hi, no gear to put three together (nor have I ever done it), but your post has led me to the laminated panels that Bunnings and I assume others do - I see some 600 wide panels which I might be able to make the design fit. I'm also guessing that being laminates themselves, putting a 600 and a 300 together might be able to get away without be thicknessed? Thanks for the lead.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

If you're putting a radius on it, it doesn't matter if the edge splinters because it'll get cut out anyway by the router. Don't use ply if you're getting a 2-pack finish, MDF is better for that.

I'd offer to cut it on our CNC, but I'm in Melbourne.

I appreciate the offer nonetheless. It would be nice to find someone local who can cut board out still, maybe for future projects or to save the effort of jigsawing and finishing. Can those laminated panels I linked to above, mostly hardwood it seems, be CNC routed fine? Are file formats pretty well accepted by most machining software, say something from Fusion?

Originally Posted by stebbo

I see some 600 wide panels which I might be able to make the design fit.

I think 600 depth desk would put you way too close to the screen (esp with the design you have shown - it would only 450-500 deep in the centre)

Originally Posted by stebbo

I'm also guessing that being laminates themselves, putting a 600 and a 300 together might be able to get away without be thicknessed

That depends on how well they are joined. Pretty easy to get highs and lows.

Whereabouts in Sydney are you?

No problem cutting hardwood panels, we do it all the time.

Ask around at local cabinet makers, they may be willing to run jobs for you.

Most machines should be able to work from a dxf file. Ours is rather old and uses proprietary software, so we have to run it through the Biesse programs to generate usable files, but I'd imagine newer machines would be a bit less hassle.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

I think 600 depth desk would put you way too close to the screen (esp with the design you have shown - it would only 450-500 deep in the centre)

That depends on how well they are joined. Pretty easy to get highs and lows.

Whereabouts in Sydney are you?

The monitors will be mounted on the wall rather than the table, and the table out enough from the wall to suit. On the North Shore and Central Coast.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

No problem cutting hardwood panels, we do it all the time.

Ask around at local cabinet makers, they may be willing to run jobs for you.

Most machines should be able to work from a dxf file. Ours is rather old and uses proprietary software, so we have to run it through the Biesse programs to generate usable files, but I'd imagine newer machines would be a bit less hassle.

Ok, that makes it easy - was imagining there'd be some machine agnostic format that had high level machining instructions like the bullnosing.

Originally Posted by stebbo

Ok, that makes it easy - was imagining there'd be some machine agnostic format that had high level machining instructions like the bullnosing.

The bullnose would just be done with a rounding over bit that follows the same path. Depending on what type of machine they have, it may only be able to do the top; you'd need to do the bottom half of the round with a hand held router

Originally Posted by stebbo

I'm after something like this:
tabletop.JPG
About 1.2m wide, no legs, attached to wall at top of pic via two angled arms. For rigidity I'm thinking 20-25mm thick. Double bullnose. Not too concerned as to finish but I take it the double bullnose on curvature would rule out Laminex and clones.

comment on your design

even at 25m thick, I suspect that your desk will sag somewhat. I suggest you consider including a frame under the top.

[QUOTE=stebbo;1954608]
tabletop.JPG/QUOTE]


Actually, this picture alone is quite enough for somebody to make a dxf from.

In fact, here you goKidney table.dxf

Hi Bob
what software did yo use to draw that dxf?
I ask because when I open it I get a series of straight lines, rather than curve segments

Hi Ian I used Vectric Aspire. It opens up fine in that. I have also done a couple more types using my laser cutter program (RDCAM). Kidney table 2 is a dxf from that program and kidney table 3 is an ai export that the forum insists needs to be a zip file.