My Latest Build: Beer Pong Table/Work Bench

[RDProgrammer]

Hi all,

Just got back to school for the year and decided that I needed an actual work area in my dorm this year (I live in the dorms for free otherwise I'd be in a place with a garage). I also noticed that beer pong sucks when you don't have a good table so I decided to build a combo unit.

The dorms have a bed frame that uses these slot in panels to hold the frame to the head and footboard so they're adjustable:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m22/RDProgrammer/desk/2009-09-06025419.jpg

So I decided to use the existing end frames I had rather than build something with sturdy legs that'd be hard to remove at the end of the year (or for a night of Pong, I don't drink in my room). I ended up buying some 2x4 joining metal plates from Home depot then cutting them in half and cutting the notches of the original frame supports into them with my dremel. This took about 2 hours to make 4 of them while watching TV. Sorry for not having pictures of the original support plates before cutting.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m22/RDProgrammer/desk/2009-09-06025403.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m22/RDProgrammer/desk/2009-09-06025356.jpg

Total cost so far:
2x $2.34

Then I got a sheet of 4'x8' Whiteboard material from Home Depot and ripped a foot off the long side for a regulation 3'x8' table. This was framed by 2 8' 2x4s and a 12' 2x4 cut into 4 33" lengths for the cross members:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m22/RDProgrammer/desk/2009-09-06025449.jpg

Total cost so far:
2x $2.34 - bracing plates
1x $11.24 - whiteboard
2x $1.87 - 2x4x8'
1x $3.65 - 2x4x12'

I checked the table afterward and found that it didn't bounce right and was a bit flimsy so I added a 3/8" sheet of plywood underneath. This made it heavier, which i didn't want, but made for a much nicer table. The plywood is screwed down and the whiteboard glued to it with liquid nails. The final product is a nice table if I do say so myself:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m22/RDProgrammer/desk/2009-09-06031200.jpg

Total cost so far:
2x $2.34 - bracing plates
1x $11.24 - whiteboard
2x $1.87 - 2x4x8'
1x $3.65 - 2x4x12'
1x $9.87 - plywood
1x $2.99 - Liquid Nails
----------------------------
$36.17 plus tax and a dozen worn out dremel wheels.

The final product with the old frame on top of it:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m22/RDProgrammer/desk/2009-09-08013747.jpg

I had maintenance drop off the brackets to use the old frame as a bunk bed over my bed (likely to be used for storage).

RDP

[RDProgrammer]

Oh,

The whiteboard was chosen so that the board would be water (beer) proof and warp resistant. It ended up being a lot of fun as you can write your house rules on the board and can list off the rules of king's cup or other similar games. People also start drawing on it, which gets entertaining.

As a work bench, the markers come in somewhat helpful while working. I am also planning on sticking a magnet under on of the corners for hold screws and such down while assembling stuff.

RDP

[Timmah!]

As a work bench, the markers come in somewhat helpful while working. I am also planning on sticking a magnet under on of the corners for hold screws and such down while assembling stuff.

RDP

Just thought of an idea for you. A decent sized magnet in one corner of each end. Then you can drop a magnet into the bottom of the cleaning cups to keep them stuck in place.

[Kwinnie Bogan]

That's melamine whiteboard, not actual metal whiteboard, right?

[RDProgrammer]

That's melamine whiteboard, not actual metal whiteboard, right?

Correct

[Kwinnie Bogan]

Good for cost, but it does mean the pen ink will stain if you leave it for too long, and it's also really good news because it allows you to use Timmah's brilliant idea if you wanted to.

[Duelist]

where do you sleep?

[RDProgrammer]

where do you sleep?

There are two beds in my room. I get the room to myself, so I just use the other one.

RDP

[Virus]

Where in the world are you getting ply for that cheap?

[RDProgrammer]

Where in the world are you getting ply for that cheap?

3/8" at home depot. Oklahoma, seems about average for the area. I was in OR for the summer and it was around 25% more there.

RDP

[Virus]

I'm in TN and it runs 18 bucks before taxes for that sheet of ply at the cheapest place (Lowes)

[RDProgrammer]

Sucks. I found 1/2" CDX fro $6.86 last week. Almost used that for the table but the few extra bucks was worth halving the weight.

RDP

[Kwinnie Bogan]

Virus, you could always use MDF (yeah, I know, that's super generic term for a heap of different composite timbers) instead, even in AUD it'll cost you less than $5 for a sheet that large and 3/4 an inch thick. Quick questionf or you guys, can you buy it in sawn sizes, or do you need to buy standard shets where you are? Here you now have to buy everything that has 'lookout for Formaldehyde' on the MSDS in standard sizes cos OH&S won't let em saw it.

[Virus]

If we actually bought MDF by U.S standards, it'd be as expensive if not more than ply. Particle board on the other hand is dirt cheap, but not flat.

[Kwinnie Bogan]

^What do you mean by US standards? sizes or quality / composite?

If it's sizes, I find that interesting as on the other hand plywood seems to be insanely cheap over there (compared to here) since you all use fuckloads of it in building houses. Ain't cheap here, especially marine ply.

...and fuck particle board, especially where people are going to be drinking.

[Virus]

Kwinnie, quality primarily. When someone goes into a home depot or lowes and asks for Medium Density Fiberboard, you're going to get directed to the stuff to make speaker cabinets. Now, in this particular area, it is about the same as play and sometimes a bit more expensive depending on thickness, etc.

Part of this has to do with the hurricane season and other damage, so demand is increased a bit while supplies stay the same.

In my state, unless you are close to one of the navigable rivers, every construction material is more expensive than if you were close to one of the navigable rivers.

It's just a fucked up way things are, eh.

[Kwinnie Bogan]

What makes you think the MDF here doesn't meet or even exceed US standards? Not attacking you, just curious as to why you believe that is that case?

[Virus]

Well Kwinnie as you know most people from AUS possess inferior intelligence compared to their counterparts in the US. This is due to your country being filled with convicts (obviously idiots because they got caught).

The end result is the inability to determine what makes good materials.

:D

Real answer:

I've hopped the border to Canada when I was younger and building materials seemed subpar to the stuff in Washington, it might be the same way in different countries despite standards and whatnot.