Wireless Charging Desk With Metal Inlay

by fixthisbuildthat

17K21910

Intro: Wireless Charging Desk With Metal Inlay

In this Instructable I'll show you how I made this computer desk with wireless charging. I did a lot of metal work on this one including a metal base and a copper metal bowtie inlay.

Be sure to watch the video above, and if you like it please subscribe to my YouTube channel!

And if you like the Instructable please vote for me for the Metalworking Contest at the end of the post!

STEP 1: Gather Tools and Materials

Tools Used (affiliate links)

Materials/Supplies

STEP 2: Prepare the Walnut Top

For the top I used some walnut boards I got off Craigslist. I cut them to size then ran them through the milling machines and table saw to get them ready for the glue up.

For the first glue up I glued two panels of two boards together. After the glue was dry I filled the knots and holes in the wood with epoxy.

I cleaned up both sets of boards then did my final glue up to join all four boards together for the top.

STEP 3: Cut the Inlay for the Wireless Charger

The wireless charger is inlayed into the underside of the top of the computer desk.

I traced the charger on the underside of the top then cut the recess with out with a router. I spaced the final pass of the router using a small 1/8" piece of scrap. This let the wood be thin enough for my specific charger to send the signal through the wood.

I did a test fit of the charger and installed it with hot glue into the cavity.

STEP 4: Inlay the Copper Metal Bowtie

To add a killer feature accent and a way to tell where the wireless charger was placed I used a copper metal bowtie. It's about 4" long and 1/4" thick.

I marked the outline of the bowtie with a razor blade to establish the cut lines for the inlay.

Then I removed the bulk of the material with a router bit set to the depth of the bowtie. I finished the final recess by chiseling to the line I marked with the razor.

I used some epoxy to secure the bowtie into the recess and it was a great fit.

STEP 5: Make the Metal Base

The metal base is 1" 11ga square tube. I had the pieces cut to size and then MIG welded them into a minimalist base.

I welded the ends of the desk first into two rectangles and then connected them with the stretchers to form the shape of the base.

This was only my second time welding and I'm not great but still learning a ton.

STEP 6: Add the Top Clips and Finish the Base

To secure the top to the base I made some clips from 1" angle iron.

I drilled 6 holes in the angle iron spaced out about 1.5". Then I cut them apart with a grinder into 6 individual clips

I turned the base over and welded each clip to the top of the base.

Then I finished off the base by painting it matte black after spraying on some self etching primer.

STEP 7: Finish the Top

After the bowtie epoxy was dry I sanded the top including the metal inlay. It took a long time to sand down the inlay even using 60 grit, so I'd suggest setting it lower than the wood.

I put on 2 coats of an oil based polyurethane that really made the top pop.

STEP 8: Attach the Top to the Base

When the top was dry I flip it over and put the base on top and secured it with screws.

This thing turned out amazing and I really love having the ability to charge my phone on my desk with no wires. And that copper bowtie is a real stunner.

Be sure to watch the video above, and if you like it please subscribe to my YouTube channel!
And if you like the Instructable please vote for me for the Metalworking Contest!

8 Comments

FValenz 5 years ago

How much is the total cost for this project?

IgorF2 5 years ago

I looks great! Congrats! :D

M4n0v3y 5 years ago

Is possible to charge more than one mobile simultaneously?

iceng 5 years ago

Sure just put in two charger pads in two separate locations !

sewcraftyme 5 years ago

FTBT:

You never know when you're going to surf the web and find a genius.
Thanks so much for posting this. Due to my medical conditions, I can't make
one for myself, and don't know anyone who can make one for me, but I'm very happy
to admire that which makes others happy. Way cool idea. Great Instructable.