Wood, Copper and Glow in the Dark Epoxy Adjustable Height Desk

Copper, Wood, Epoxy Desk, adjustable legs.

a. Wood Slab (used blue gum eucalyptus)

b. Epoxy - https://www.amazon.com/SuperClear-Epoxy-Table-Top-System/dp/B07DM84HCZ/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-drs1_0?cv_ct_cx=epoxy&dchild=1&keywords=epoxy&pd_rd_i=B07DM84HCZ&pd_rd_r=f520b7b9-2044-4fbd-bb36-bb173584d7d0&pd_rd_w=8rRbz&pd_rd_wg=mvY47&pf_rd_p=fd260026-27e9-4327-aaba-da229e050a22&pf_rd_r=AWHR79Z83T2V6AV2RDXN&psc=1&qid=1595203936&sr=1-1-e474f451-35ca-451d-8a91-1c6f53c0fb6d

c. Epoxy glow powder - https://www.amazon.com/Art-Glow-Pigment-Powder-Neutral/dp/B01K0DQXGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=epoxy+glow+powder&qid=1595204509&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFSSjZJVzdMR0E4SjAmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyODEwMjgxOTRDODE4WjI5UVVYJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2MzU5NTgxSkFYQVNERkwyNk1SJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

d. Orbital sander and pads

e. Sanding star - https://www.woodcraft.com/products/sanding-star-150-grit (Good for finishing the edges of a piece with bark attached or a non-straight edge.)

Extras:

a. Copper sheet adhered underneath with blue patina

b. Hollow Stainless Structural Steel along back for cables

c. Adjustable desk legs

Set aside a lot of time for sanding or purchase a finished product. Identify source for "wood slabs" many are reclaimed, eucalyptus is common in San Diego because many identify it as a "pest" and that it splits. The highly sanded finish is beautiful, "splits" are normal and can be filled with epoxy to provide the glowing effect.

This desk was unique because it has a found piece of copper sheet metal with a hammered finish underneath which was attached with the same epoxy.

Here is a found material supplier in San Diego:

San Diego Urban Timber
https://goo.gl/maps/1E2Q4ckeaa3ooCMM8

Super reasonable, there are lots of other options.

Decide final size and match to your leg dimensions - many are adjustable

Wood Planar - flat top and bottom

Square Edges - use a very long straight edge, clamps, a T or L edge and a circular saw set to the correct depth.

The epoxy WILL leak under the wood so put a dam underneath between the plywood base and the wood slab, tape or a silicone will work

In this case a patina solution was applied to the copper - lots of options that are worth looking up.

Note - this particular brand of epoxy does not stick great to metal on the patina or non-patina face, the wood edge is where the primary adhesion is.

MIX EPOXY SLOWLY or you will get bubbles. But if you just epoxy divits and imperfection you won't have to worry about bubbles.

Add glow in the dark powder to the epoxy for the divited areas.

Pour very thin layers and use a heatgun to remove bubbles, too thick and the bubbles will never get to the top.

Imperfections can be sanded off, but flat faces are much better than divets from tape that is not flat.

Sand everything for days (literally) up to 3000 grit for a nice polish. "Raise the grit" by rubbing a wet cloth on the wood between sandings. Finish with wood oil, or WD 40 actually looks pretty good, test an edge to see what you like. Lightly sand the front edge with a drill and a "star sander attachment" (looks like a sandpaper mop.)

Sand and grind the copper back to polish it.

"Raising the grain" is supposed to prevent rings from condensation on cups - with "wood" oil it does a relatively good job of it.

Place on legs of your choice - GSMiowa.com in Waterloo or a metalshop near you can build some, or weld them yourself! Amazon also has some great options: crank, motor, etc.

Attach the motors and controls if you have them and you're good to go. Also works great over an existing standard desk so you can sit/stand and have a very large amount of desk space.