What to look for in the yellow pages to have metal desk legs cut?

[Jumpem]

Is there a more appropriate category than metal fabricators? Everything I find seems geared toward commercial manufacturing.

I just need a walk-in friendly place that offers laser cutting, water cutting or perhaps a metal chop saw.

This is what the legs look like. They are rectangular and hollow.

 

[lxskllr]

Can't do it yourself? I guess this is for one desk? Maybe a machine shop would do it.

 

[Rakehellion]

Home Depot.

 

[PottedMeat]

Can't do it yourself? I guess this is for one desk? Maybe a machine shop would do it.

yeah, or know someone with a metal cutting bandsaw? angle grinder with a cutting disc? or if you really have to - a hacksaw + file.

 

[who?]

What part do you want to trim? The height? The backs of the feet so it will lean back? The fronts of the feet so it will be more likely to tip forward? Why do you disagree with the engineers decision to have it made that way?

 

[Jumpem]

Can't do it yourself? I guess this is for one desk? Maybe a machine shop would do it.

yeah, or know someone with a metal cutting bandsaw? angle grinder with a cutting disc? or if you really have to - a hacksaw + file.

I have a Sawzall. I would prefer the cuts to be level and smooth.

 

[Jumpem]

What part do you want to trim? The height? The backs of the feet so it will lean back? The fronts of the feet so it will be more likely to tip forward? Why do you disagree with the engineers decision to have it made that way?

I have it in a corner in the living room. I want to cut it off at the height of the desk top, or about four inches above in case I want to have the shelf on to raise a monitor.

 

[Fayd]

why would you do that to a jerker? you ass.

 

[Jumpem]

why would you do that to a jerker? you ass.

I knew someone would make this comment. It did take me a month to find one. It was only $65, but I did have to drive 425 miles to pick it up.

I mainly wanted it for the curved desk top. Not so much for being able to convert it to a standing desk.

It is a little out of place in the living room with two legs extending 57" high. And it interferes with my view of the TV if I want to half pay attention to a show at the same time.

 

[Imp]

For that much trouble, I'd have bought a GALANT or BEKANT and tried to cut the curve into the wood... Or just get someone to make a curved wood desktop with real wood instead of particleboard.

 

[lxskllr]

I have a Sawzall. I would prefer the cuts to be level and smooth.

Should be easy to do with a hacksaw and file. Use a miter box to help keep the cut straight. You could have the job done in less time than it takes to drive the parts to a shop.

 

[Jumpem]

Should be easy to do with a hacksaw and file. Use a miter box to help keep the cut straight. You could have the job done in less time than it takes to drive the parts to a shop.

Hmm. Something like this?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_48795-355-2...2ae-7bc0-88a9-73e2-000054ca60db&kpid=50168173

Does the placement of the pegs keep the piece firmly against one side?

 

[who?]

You could try clamping wood pieces on all sides to keep the cuts even. I would draw marks all the way around as guides and use a hacksaw slowly for control. Something electric would be quicker but I worry that it could go wrong quicker .

 

[lxskllr]

Does the placement of the pegs keep the piece firmly against one side?

That's higher tech than the ones I've used, but yea, it looks like the pegs act as a jig. You'd want a couple C-clamps to firmly attach it to a work surface. They're really meant for wood, so you're kind of making do. It won't work as well with a hacksaw, but it helps keep everything together, and helps keep your eye straight. Also get two files. One coarse for leveling, and one fine for smoothing and deburring.

It goes without saying to cut a little higher than desired. That gives you chances to screw up without ruining the whole thing. I'd start by just cutting a couple inches off the top. That'll give you a feel for the material, and show you what pitfalls you may encounter.

 

[who?]

Now that I've looked at that miter box from Lowes I like that idea.

 

[waffleironhead]

Harbor freight cutoff saw is like 75 bucks. A makita of dewalt one is around 200.

That hacksaw routine can get off square real easy, even with a miter box. I'm not saying you cant do it that way though.

A welding or machine shop should be able to do what you need though.

 

[who?]

If you use a hacksaw make sure the blade is really tight so that it won't flex.

 

[Fayd]

I knew someone would make this comment. It did take me a month to find one. It was only $65, but I did have to drive 425 miles to pick it up.

I mainly wanted it for the curved desk top. Not so much for being able to convert it to a standing desk.

It is a little out of place in the living room with two legs extending 57" high. And it interferes with my view of the TV if I want to half pay attention to a show at the same time.

i'm currently looking for a jerker. so seeing you trying to destroy one is kind of annoying. :/

 

[disappoint]

Why is it curved like that? Wrist rest for typing?

 

[Jumpem]

Why is it curved like that? Wrist rest for typing?

It is considered an ergonomic desk shape since you do not have to reach as far to get things.

I like it because it allows me to rest my elbows on the desk. That is not as easy on a desk that is straight across the front.

 

[disappoint]

It is considered an ergonomic desk shape since you do not have to reach as far to get things.

I like it because it allows me to rest my elbows on the desk. That is not as easy on a desk that is straight across the front.

Oh I see, it's curved inwards. It looked like it was curved upwards. 2D representation of 3D object fail. A higher angle view would have made it more obvious. I've never seen that desk before. Thanks.

 

[Jumpem]

Oh I see, it's curved inwards. It looked like it was curved upwards. 2D representation of 3D object fail. A higher angle view would have made it more obvious. I've never seen that desk before. Thanks.

Yes. It is curved inward. I have got used to sitting at a curve using a corner desk at work. At home, I wanted a desk that was a not a corner desk, but had a curve.

Here is a better view.

 

[Humpy]

A hacksaw with a fine tooth blade and a file are really the right tools for the job. The hardest part will marking a square line around the tube. I like to use a scratch awl to make a nice fine line to file to. Slowly cut just next to the line with a hacksaw and file down to the line. Easy!

As someone else said, do a practice cut to build your confidence.

 

[alkemyst]

Have you even tried to call any of the numbers, this could be done at any metal fabricator.

I am thinking it's a look at me screw up this Jerker thread.

 

[DrPizza]

Clamp a guide board for a straight cut. Use a circular saw with a gringing disk made for cutting metal. Do it outside - lots of sparks.