5 ms·

Nah. The costs are for specialization. Anytime you buy a specialized product, you're going to pay an arm and a leg. If you want to get a proper lab workbench (f

by wegs 6y ago

Nah. The costs are for specialization. Anytime you buy a specialized product, you're going to pay an arm and a leg. If you want to get a proper lab workbench (for just about any scientific/engineering discipline; that's not a generic thing), a proper studio desk, or what-not, you're going to pay an arm and a leg. That's not buying you a mahogany desk, so much as something well-suited to an esoteric task. Compared to commercial, what he's got is: 1. Lighter (2x4s are light) 2. More robust (2x4s are tough) 3. Looks better (An off-the-shelf product would look better in a showroom, but this one fits his room exactly, and fits his equipment exactly; that makes a much bigger difference). I'll mention: That's true for most of the crude furniture I make. I have fine woodworking, and I have not-so-fine woodworking. The fine woodworking pieces tend to be generic (e.g. a bookcase). The not-so-fine-ones tend to be special-purpose. Right now, I have custom stuff built up for remote work, for example, with cameras/cables/etc. properly routed.

anjc 6y ago
Perhaps it's a regional thing then, in my country 2x4's aren't exactly cheap if you're buying enough to build an e.g. woodworking bench, and you need a planer even if they're pre-planed. I'm currently planning a studio desk right now, funny enough. I could buy one for maybe €500, but just the heavy duty shelf sliders I need will be €70 for a pair. A pre-bought one will also have a light aluminium frame, whereas mine is going to weigh a ton with steel tubing. Like you say though, if I make one it will fit the space perfectly etc. All in all it's worth it for me even if I personally don't save money
- wegs 6y ago
  Funny that. I bought heavy-duty shelf sliders for $15 for a pair: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-18-in-Full-Extension-Side-Mount-Ball-Bearing-Drawer-Slide-Set-D80618E-ZP-W/302867747 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-18-in-Full-Extension-Si... They're rated for loads up to 100lbs, and they're plenty tough enough to hold up a full-sized MIDI controller. They're stiff enough too. If you're worried, though, you can double them up (two on each side). Now, you're at $30. Typically, when you double up, the load-baring capacity more than doubles. I have a planer, but I didn't use it at all in this project. Might be regional. US has a ton of land and resources, so maybe wood is cheaper here. You're pricing in Euros, and Europe is a bit more densely populated.

by wegs 6y ago

anjc 6y ago

Perhaps it's a regional thing then, in my country 2x4's aren't exactly cheap if you're buying enough to build an e.g. woodworking bench, and you need a planer even if they're pre-planed. I'm currently planning a studio desk right now, funny enough. I could buy one for maybe €500, but just the heavy duty shelf sliders I need will be €70 for a pair. A pre-bought one will also have a light aluminium frame, whereas mine is going to weigh a ton with steel tubing. Like you say though, if I make one it will fit the space perfectly etc. All in all it's worth it for me even if I personally don't save money

wegs 6y ago
Funny that. I bought heavy-duty shelf sliders for $15 for a pair: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-18-in-Full-Extension-Side-Mount-Ball-Bearing-Drawer-Slide-Set-D80618E-ZP-W/302867747 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-18-in-Full-Extension-Si... They're rated for loads up to 100lbs, and they're plenty tough enough to hold up a full-sized MIDI controller. They're stiff enough too. If you're worried, though, you can double them up (two on each side). Now, you're at $30. Typically, when you double up, the load-baring capacity more than doubles. I have a planer, but I didn't use it at all in this project. Might be regional. US has a ton of land and resources, so maybe wood is cheaper here. You're pricing in Euros, and Europe is a bit more densely populated.