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| Kids' construction toys were great because they really got the imagination working. Now there's a line of products that draws on that creative energy to allow you to build all sorts of amazing and useful things from pipe, lumber and some simple connectors. |
This project was constructed using a product called
Kee Klamp, made by Simplified
Building Concepts. Kee Klamp is a versatile pipe connection
system that incorporates specialized fittings, allowing you to
create just about any kind of structure you can imagine.
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The Simplified Building Concept
web site not only allows you to order all the pieces you'll
need to build the piece of furniture you're imagining,
it also provides dozens of ideas for you to work from.
Today's project uses the site's modular
computer desk design. |
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| As you can see, what you end up with is something like an adult Tinker Toy set. It has all kinds of fittings in a variety of shapes. You'll need to pick up your own pipe at your local home improvement center. |
Your two options are inch-and-a-quarter water pipe, shown on the right, and chain-link fence post, shown on the left. The water pipe has a thicker wall, which makes it stronger but a little heavier. The fence post, on the other hand, is lighter in weight and less expensive. |
When you have all the materials you'll need, it's time to measure and cut the pipes to their desired lengths. Clamp the pipe in a vice, then measure and mark it to length. |
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| Whatever pipe option you choose, you have several ways to cut it. A heavy duty pipe cutter will work with either type of pipe, but goes through the thinner walled fence post more quickly. |
A hacksaw with a blade that has 18 or 24 teeth per inch will also do the trick. Get ready for a vigorous upper body workout if you use this method! |
A third pipe-cutting option is a cordless portable band saw, which does the job both quickly and easily. |
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| And your final option for cutting the pipe is
to use a metal cutoff saw with an abrasive blade. It'll cut through pipe like a deli blade through salami, but remember to wear a face shield. This throws off quite a lot of sparks! |
Once you've got all your pipe pieces cut to length, it's time put them together. It'll be not too different from using those Tinker Toys you played with as a kid: it's all about sticks (the pipes you just cut) and connectors (the Kee Klamp pieces). |
The connectors are secured to the pipe with a recessed set screw. Now, you could use an ordinary Allen wrench to tighten that screw, but you'll be doing a lot of tightening today. So to speed things up, either use a hexagonal drill bit, or cut the end off an Allen wrench and insert it into your power drill. |
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| If you use this option, be sure to set the drill clutch to give just the right amount of torque without stripping the threads. |
Let's get building! You're going to start from the bottom of the desk and work your way upward. That means the desk's feet are the first part to assemble. |
Then you'll attach two uprights to the feet. Once you're sure that they're level, connect them with a bottom brace. |
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