Chippy is coming over tonight...

[technominds]

.. to look at my plans for my desk and to work out how long and how much it will cost him to build...

Are there any materials it definately should be made out of.. or anything obvious i shouldnt have put infront of me that will end up making the desk half-rate quality..?

If you dont remember the designs, just let me know and il repost them..

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

Are there any materials it definately should be made out of.. or anything obvious i shouldnt have put infront of me that will end up making the desk half-rate quality..?

Hi technominds. Well, you can build things like this out of many types of materials. Its what you want it to look like and your skills to use them that determines that. Except for structural spans. But QUALITY is in the hands of the craftsman. I can build things out of MDF that you would swear is solid wood. Like this. 80% is MDF.
fitZ

[technominds]

Now your just showing off

He came over, told me he would build the whole thing out of MDF and then probably spray it (as i want it with a black finish). He quoted me around £600 without the spraying... which is alot of money (double it for dollars)... i was thinking i could probably do a better job myself.. rent a circular saw for the day (£15 a day) and just go for it.

Do you remember the designs?

[mshilarious]

If you're doing MDF and want an opaque finish, why not cover with a laminate surface? That's much more durable.

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

Now your just showing off

Naw...thats just the small stuff
Try a whole floor of fixtures and showcases at Macys. Especially an ELIPSE shaped showcase line THATS showing off.

i was thinking i could probably do a better job myself.. rent a circular saw for the day (£15 a day) and just go for it.

Possably..if he were a REALLY bad craftsman. Depends on how good you are with a skill saw too. Personally, if I had only one tool, it would be a router/table. Of course, you need a shitload of carbide bits to go with it too. And about ten years of experience as well.
Have you ever worked with MDF? Have you ever tried to cut a panel thats SQUARE? Not as easy as you think, especially with a skill saw. Remember, out of square panels make for poor assembly. But like you said. Go for it. Experience is the best teacher. Heres a tip though. If paint is your finish of choice, MDF is the substraight to use. For trim pieces, or edgework, use Poplar. Takes paint real good. But ALWAYS prime the surfaces before painting. And thats another thing. Lacquer is usually the finish of choice for woodworkers. If you can't spray lacquer, use a good enamel and brush. But for gods sake, don't use latex. It looks like crap for fixture work.

why not cover with a laminate surface?

Hmmmm, if he has to rent a skill saw, I doubt that laminates would be a good choice. Ever tried to trim laminate after its contact cemented in place, without a router? No fun.


fitZ

[technominds]

I think il leave it to him... It may save me a few time of going wrong and having to pay for materials again, thanks for the advice!