How to Make a Desk with Hidden Wireless Charging

How to Make a Desk with Hidden Wireless Charging

Materials Needed:

• Rough lumber boards
• Block plane
• Jointer
• Planer
• Epoxy
• Clamps
• Metal cutting equipment
• Welder (210 MP from Lincoln Electric)
• Angle iron
• Self-etching primer
• Flat black enamel paint
• Matte clear coat
• Circular saw
• Router
• USB charger
• Palm router
• Chisels
• Fast-drying polyurethane finish
• Foam brush
• 3/4 inch screws
• Plastic feet

Step 1: Prepare the Top

1. Cut the rough boards in half to create four boards for the top.
2. Use a block plane to knock down high spots on the boards' opposite corners to make milling smoother.
3. Run each board through the jointer to get one flat face on each board.
4. Run each board through the planer until the mill marks are removed and fresh wood is revealed.
5. Put a straight edge on each board to ensure they are flat.
6. Label each board for organization.

Step 2: Glue Up the Top

1. Glue up two smaller halves instead of gluing all four boards together.
2. Fill defects in the wood with epoxy after the first glue-up.
3. Knock down high spots with a block plane after the epoxy dries.
4. Run each half through the planer to reveal fresh wood again.

Step 3: Final Glue Up

1. Take the sections to the jointer and run each one across to get a pair of nice straight edges.
2. Glue the two halves together using clamps to line everything up.

Step 4: Build the Base

1. Have a local metal yard cut the metal to the exact size needed for the base.
2. Weld together the rectangular ends of the desk first.
3. Join the ends together with the long stretchers.
4. Add tabs to screw down the top using angle iron.
5. Prep the base for paint by grinding all the weld joints smooth and then spray paint it with self-etching primer, flat black enamel, and matte clear coat.

Step 5: Prepare the Charger Slot

1. Cut the top to final width and length using a circular saw and a table saw.
2. Use a router to create a slot for the charger on the bottom of the desk.
3. Cut a trench for the USB cable to come out of the back of the desk.

Step 6: Inlay the Charger Indicator

1. Trace the shape of the charger on the desk and use a router to remove the waste.
2. Cut the inlay to fit using chisels and epoxy to hold it in place.
3. Sand the inlay flush with the desk surface.

Step 7: Apply Finish

1. Apply a tough polyurethane finish to protect the desk surface.
2. Install the wireless charger in the designated slot.

Step 8: Assemble the Desk

1. Mount the base onto the top using 3/4 inch screws.
2. Attach plastic feet to the vertical steel tubes for stability.

Congratulations! You have successfully made a desk with hidden wireless charging. Enjoy your new functional and stylish piece of furniture.