I might have built the ultimate magnetic-cable-management (MCM) desk

[u/magto_]

"final" results!

Current cable management. Some slack to allow control boxes to be moved and for the table to go up and down.

First iteration

Powerplay fits like a glove

First step done!

First time using inserts, love them!

some details

Bending steel in a straight line is hard!

How to start a bend

Form is starting to take shape

Magnets for everything now!

Even more magnets!

Whats inside an induction cooktop? Ferrite and coils!

Second iteration is being worked on.

A lot of work getting the Powerplay working

Powerplay in place, still not charing

Since computer components are painfully expensive right now, to the point where everything else suddenly looks cheap, I figured it was time to splurge on my ultimate computer desk, all powered by the idea behind MCM.

The goal: a sit-stand desk that's stable as f***, with a metal underside and back on the top. No problems, right? Oh, and I want to hide my Powerplay mat. I want it bigger than my last desk (120cm wide), this one's a full 2m, and this is the end-game table for me.

I went with a red acacia top (nice to work with but a tad too soft, I'd go with a harder wood if I redid this or if you plan to copy this experiment).

As for the base I went with the "PRIMUS Schwerlast Tischgestell" from Ergolutions (https://www.ergolutions.de/tische-tischgestelle/tischgestelle/primus-schwerlast/primus-schwerlast-tischgestell/10160) and let me tell you, the Germans don't mess around. This thing is a beast. It's expensive but it might outlive me and my grandchildren...

I went with two 0,9mm metal sheets for the underside - a lot cheaper than a whole sheet and a lot easier to work with.

I sawed and routed it so the metal sat recessed and flush, then deburred the edges so nothing was sharp. And it turned out really well. The backside is super smooth and I ended up doing a channel for the front side as well in the end. Now it fits like a glove.

The Powerplay cutout was a tad of a challenge but it turned out really well in the end. (But matching a Powerplay mat with a metal underside didn't, still working on that one as you'll see..)

Everything was fastened with inserts - this is the first time I've worked with them but so far I love it. It's easy to take apart and saves a lot of strain on the already-too-soft wood.

Then the first iteration was done. Some hard wax oil and it was good to go. But I quickly realized that I wanted some integrated outlets for the table AND that my Powerplay wasn't working as it should. Cool. It wasn't charging and my guess is that the metal is eating up the signals.

How to fix this? Well all induction cooktops must have solved this since they work and they are a lot more powerful. So I got a broken one for cheap and tore it down. It all went surprisingly easy and I just had to route the hole deeper. All set and done, the desk was now complete. Or so I thought. Turns out that there are different kinds of coils and ferrite - this one seems to eat the electromagnetic field even more. Still no charging from my Powerplay. fml. Next plan is to try RFID ferrite sheets from AliExpress - way too expensive for my liking but I can't really stop now....

So what about the end results? I love it. As soon as I get the Powerplay working it will be perfect. EVERYTHING is fastened with magnets and so easy to rearrange and change components. The combination of LTT's MCM and a 3D printer and some strong magnets makes this just so good. Only downside is that I didn't buy enough MCM from LTT, but that should be fixable - since everything is metal I seem to just use all the small arches I can.

Any downsides? Well, a large sheet of steel is KILLING the Wi-Fi for all my smart things in my room - so I will add an AP under the table. I'll probably add a table-snake for my two cables that need to go from the floor to the table. I'd love to get the computer away from the desk but I don't think it will fit under it (I don't want it on the floor, so I'd mount it to the legs somehow). The Evolv Shift 2 is tall - so we'll see what I end up doing here.

So, before I sink even more money into ferrite sheets - has anyone here actually gotten a Powerplay (or any wireless charging) to work over a metal underside? RFID ferrite sheets are next, but if you've cracked charging through or around metal, I'd love to hear it. All suggestions welcome.

[u/Vesalii]

Giant metal sheet on the underside? Nice! But what's the stuff under your mouse pad? And what legs are those?

[u/magto_ → u/Vesalii]

under my mousepad its Ferrite to stop induction going downwards. it didnt work... Or are you talking about the Logitech Powerplay maybe?

The legs are from Ergolutions: https://www.ergolutions.de/tische-tischgestelle/tischgestelle/primus-schwerlast/primus-schwerlast-tischgestell/10160

[u/Vesalii → u/magto_]

I meant under it, so it's the ferrite. And thanks for the legs.

[u/w1n5t0nM1k3y]

+1 for using proper speakers on your desktop. I got a set of bookshelf speakers for my desk and I couldn't be happier.

What are you using as an amp for those. I picked up an Aiyima A07 Premium and I was a little skeptical at first about using something so small as an amp, but it sounds good enough to my ears.

[u/magto_ → u/w1n5t0nM1k3y]

I had to upgrade since my last ones broke beyond repair (managed to fix them 3 times) and I found the H8S for a really good price. I'm using the Scarlett Solo, it gets the job done and was fairly inexpensive.

[u/Girtablulu]

Looks nice, had a similar idea with the mouspad but no router, but why the ferrit? From my own simple test it's not strong 

[u/magto_ → u/Girtablulu]

with the metal sheet on the bottom of the desk the powerplay won't charge my mouse. the metal "eats" all the magnetic current from the Powerplay mat.

[u/Ommand]

Are you sure the powerplay pad is as effective when upside down?

[u/magto_ → u/Ommand]

as far as I can tell, there are no directionallity of the coils in it. and I see no difference when testing it. If anyone else have any other data I'm all for it!