building a desk

[chipy]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
I built mine about 4 years ago and it still looks as good as the day I finished it.

Please dont use MDF. If youre going to build a desk do it out of a solid wood. It doesnt have to be expensive. I used Pine for mine and its been just fine. Take weight & size into consideration when building it. I almost couldnt get mine up to my room because it was just wide enough to go through my doorway.

The top of mine was a solid piece of Pine with some trim molding that I attached around the edge (Drill pilot holes and use finish nails + wood filler to attach it or it will end up looking like shit). Let me know if you need any help w/ the design or if you have any questions.

thanks TheoPetro. why do you recommend against the use of MDF? is it aesthetic or a more practical reason? i will definitely get pricing on pine when i go to Lowes/HD or a lumber place.

 

[chipy]

Originally posted by: scott
if you don't have tools here's what 'cha do

sign up for woodworking or cabinet making in adult ed in your community. that'll get you onto their joiner, table saw, planer, sanders, clamps, etc.

Design yourself a real nice desk by hand on paper, not on your computer.

go through lots of iterations. check out furniture design books & mags at your library. Dimension everything, then figure your cut lay outs to best economize waste. this is interactive back & forth with your dimensioning. get instructor's blessing & ideas for your desk.Translate your sketches into a bill of materials.

wait till after all that to buy wood.

first time out d o n o t buy nice hardwood. use a/c ply and cheaper wood. do n o t buy oak, cherry, teak, maple, etc.

learn to make real good mortise & tenon joints for legs.
learn some of the tricky ways to attach the top to allow for the across-the-grain expansion & contraction that happens with humidity changes (unless top is plywood).

next time it'll be hardwood, inlays, doweling, fancy router work, etc.

you'll have fun with this

thanks for the tip scott! i live in an apartment so it would have been hard for me to do the cutting/sanding/routing even if i had the tools or were able to borrow them. that's a good idea to enroll in a class and do the stuff there. thanks!

 

[chipy]

Originally posted by: JasonCoder

Originally posted by: chipy

Originally posted by: TridenTBoy3555
Do you have the tools? That's the real question...

No, I have never. I don't own the tools to do such.

i have a dremel. i can buy other tools... having said that i want to keep the desk simple and elegant so hopefully i won't need any specialized wood working tools... just some general ones. thanks.

Without a pretty wide assortment of tools, and when I say tools I mean power tools, your project isn't going anywhere. Somewhere out there is a master carpenter reading this thinking he could build a desk with a dremel. This does not sound like you (or me).

Read Scott's post several times... lots of wisdom in it. Also, here is a plan I was maybe going to modify one day. 0roo has a damn fine link as well.

thanks JasonCoder - i think i will end up going w/ scott's recommendation of enrolling in a class and using their tools/space. the use of pine like TheoPetro suggested sounds good too - i'll have to check out prices. thanks for the link to the plan but i think i'm going to go a bit more simplistic... perhaps w/o drawers.

 

[Rastus]

You can get a hollow core door that hasn't had the door knob hole drilled for about $15 at Home Depot.

I've made a couple tables out of them over the years.

 

[chipy]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
I did, all you need is a drill (I had the hardware store pre-cut the lumber for me, so I could fit it in my car - I designed the desk to be made out of peices that would fit in my trunk, worked out pretty good).

I'll try to dig up a picture.
(light on the woodworking, heavy on the utility)
edit:
Desk 1
Desk 2

Pretty simple. Frame out of 2x4 (with the one in front on it's side so as not to destroy knee room), with 4x4s for the legs.

The top was just some pretty nice finished solid seeming composit board I liked at the hardware store.

The desk was built tall because when I built it my chair was a lab chair (office chair but it's shortest setting was still pretty tall). I was going to shorten it, but when I moved into my dorm the room had a non-standard desk (the on in the corner, used for book storage because it was rickity as hell and falling apart) that had that sweet keyboard/mouse tray you see, so I swapped it to my desk and it was the perfect height to work on from the dorm chair after that, and super adjustable.

Pretty solid. I think I spend 30-50 dollars in lumber and hardware, and only a couple hours to finish and assemble. It has made a couple moves with me but won't be making the next one.

I'm planning on building a nice desk when I move into my place in Ithaca next fall.

The primary reason I built and didn't buy was that I needed the real estate for all those monitors and those big speakers. I don't use the CRTs anymore, though.

thanks for showcasing your example LordMorpheus - you've demonstrated that a desk can be built very simply, with minimal cost and time. much appreciated.

 

[chipy]

Originally posted by: mugs
I read that as "deck", and then I saw MDF, and I was

Yes, I've built a desk. A few desks. I use plywood, it's stronger than MDF, and it looks nicer. You can get plywood that is sanded and is suitable for painting, or you can get a hardwood veneer plywood that is suitable for staining. You can get a couple of different mouldings to cover the edge of the plywood so it doesn't look like plywood. For the base I've used legs from Ikea ($5 apiece), and I've also built a base out of plywood.

I had really limited space constraints at my old house, so I built this: http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/mugs/office_setup.jpg

I actually had little hooks under the desk for cable management, but I hadn't arranged everything at the time I took that picture

this is the second reference to Ikea for parts... i'll definitely have to check out their site. i like your desk and nice chairs too! thanks.

 

[chipy]

Originally posted by: Rastus
You can get a hollow core door that hasn't had the door knob hole drilled for about $15 at Home Depot.

I've made a couple tables out of them over the years.

another interesting idea. i'm going to make a trip to Lowes (HD is a ways from my place) to check out the pine and mdf so i'll check out those doors too. thanks for the idea.

 

[chipy]

Originally posted by: Gothgar
I was thinking about doing this... never built furniture before, but I am up a step from the OP

I have tons of tools

hey, if i take a vacation in cali, i can just stop by your place and borrow your tools right? ;-)

 

[Red Squirrel]

When I have my own house I plan to setup a shop and do this sort of thing. It does not sound too hard with a bit of reading up and watching construction shows to get the general idea of how to properly cut/nail/screw and what not.

MDF tends to be fragile as opposed to plywood, is there any reason to use it over plywood? Guess all wood would be too heavy?

Really the hardest part is probably the keyboard tray, and I'm sure you can find rail kits to use.

 

[ManyBeers]

Originally posted by: chipy
anyone ever built a desk from scratch? i don't mean buying one and assembling it yourself, but actually getting the materials from Lowes/HD and building it?

i'm contemplating building one but have never done this or anything close to it. Wood shop was many many years ago when i was in middle school.

my friend said she used MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard). do you guys have any experience building desks or furniture? how about using MDF? if so, any tips/pointers will be greatly appreciated! thanks!

I built this one
about a year ago. I got the piece of glass for free. It is made of painted pine.

 

[Dubb]

there are two ways to finish MDF to get a really durable, stunning surface.

Believe it or not, you can actually powdercoat the stuff using a slightly tweaked process. Many cabinetmakers have recently started doing this, and it's a great look, much better than any paint.

you can also stain it and then finish with a clear sealer / polurathane. ICA CNA stains have a good range of colors.

 

[chipy]

Originally posted by: ManyBeers

Originally posted by: chipy
anyone ever built a desk from scratch? i don't mean buying one and assembling it yourself, but actually getting the materials from Lowes/HD and building it?

i'm contemplating building one but have never done this or anything close to it. Wood shop was many many years ago when i was in middle school.

my friend said she used MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard). do you guys have any experience building desks or furniture? how about using MDF? if so, any tips/pointers will be greatly appreciated! thanks!

I built this one
about a year ago. I got the piece of glass for free. It is made of painted pine.

that looks nice. how is the glass attached to the pine part, or does it just sit on top? thanks for sharing.

 

[ManyBeers]

Originally posted by: chipy

Originally posted by: ManyBeers

Originally posted by: chipy
anyone ever built a desk from scratch? i don't mean buying one and assembling it yourself, but actually getting the materials from Lowes/HD and building it?

i'm contemplating building one but have never done this or anything close to it. Wood shop was many many years ago when i was in middle school.

my friend said she used MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard). do you guys have any experience building desks or furniture? how about using MDF? if so, any tips/pointers will be greatly appreciated! thanks!

I built this one
about a year ago. I got the piece of glass for free. It is made of painted pine.

that looks nice. how is the glass attached to the pine part, or does it just sit on top? thanks for sharing.

Thanks.
It is 7/16 " thick beveled radiused tempered glass and is pretty heavy. So i designed it to just lay on top.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: chipy
UPDATE: I went to Lowes today and they had pine but only in 2x4 type size. is it unusual to try to somehow get a few of these together to come up with the desktop? or do you suggest going to a lumber place to find a bigger piece of pine?

i saw MDF as well and looks nice but it feels really heavy compared to the pine. if i can get the right size piece of pine wood i'll go with that. i also saw some really nice stains/polyurathane examples... not sure when i can build this desk but i'm really psyched up about it!

Well, it depends on how nice you want it to look. It won't look pretty, but it'll get the job done. With a base built out of 2x4s and one of their precut standard size countertops (~$50 range, available in 4', 5', 6', 8', etc) you'll have a very sturdy desk for not a lot of money or effort. It doesn't sound like that's what you want through.

If you want something that looks nice, you don't want to use 2x4s (at least you don't want them to be visible). I believe Lowe's does sell higher quality pine and other wood (oak, maple, cherry, etc). It's usually an aisle or two down from the lumber area, near the mouldings. It's not on the big lumber shelves, it's in a smaller aisle and the boards are stood up vertically. They have a variety of sizes. Home Depot also has it. Depending on the finish you want to use and how you want it to look, you might want to get something better than pine. If you want to stain it, you probably don't want pine.

MDF is heavy. It's dense, but it's much weaker than wood. The grain of wood gives it a lot of strength.

Lowe's sells Minwax Polyshades stains, which are a one-step stain and polyurethane finish. It's easy to use and it works well I think.

 

[sonambulo]

Originally posted by: mugs
I read that as "deck", and then I saw MDF, and I was

Yes, I've built a desk. A few desks. I use plywood, it's stronger than MDF, and it looks nicer. You can get plywood that is sanded and is suitable for painting, or you can get a hardwood veneer plywood that is suitable for staining. You can get a couple of different mouldings to cover the edge of the plywood so it doesn't look like plywood. For the base I've used legs from Ikea ($5 apiece), and I've also built a base out of plywood.

I had really limited space constraints at my old house, so I built this: http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/mugs/office_setup.jpg

I actually had little hooks under the desk for cable management, but I hadn't arranged everything at the time I took that picture

Fuckin nice.

I've got to agree that MDF is shit. It's especially shit if it gets wet when it's not finished.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: chipy

Originally posted by: Imp
Four legs, cross bracing and a frame to support whatever surface you choose should be all you need.

You could probably use cardboard as a surface if you reinforce it on the botom enough to prevent major bending.

cross-bracing... does that go vertically? i.e. maybe two beams crossed at the back of the desk?

I meant having an additional beam going parallel to the floor, or an "X" shape across the legs. Lateral bracing so if you put the table on its side and push down on the legs, they won't snap off easily. It's not completely necessary, but it adds stability and strenght. However, it may also wipe out some space under the table, or get in the way of wire routing.

 

[alkemyst]

head hurts...MDF vs Ply vs other is all price / need.

I built this out of MDF and pine: http://30moons.com/images/DeskFinal.jpg

The working surface is 5', the right side is 7' tall x 2.5' wide...the left 5' tall and wide. They are both 12" deep.

Built this in a temporary apartment. It's a 19" monitor, that's a HP 4c on the top shelf.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I thought about building one. The best method is to build a solid desk out of 3/4" plywood. Use plenty of thick wood and screws to fasten everything together...then spend some time gluing a laminate material over the top and all your fasteners after you use some locktite on them.

The only problem is that to finish it off and make it look good, it takes more time than what I have right now. I also don't have enough room to complete a project like that. There are some good plans out there. Do some research and get the specifics on what materials you'd need to make a desk of the quality you want....then you can figure up if it's worth your time/cost to complete the project. A good solid desk can easily be over $1000....the other thing I always battle with is that I want a matching set of desk/hutch/book case, etc... I just can't build it all.

 

[vi edit]

MDF is a tool destroyer. It eats router bits and sawblades for breakfast. Plus it makes almost more of a "powder" when cut instead of a much easier to clean up sawdust from plywood. Plywood also smells better when you run it through a table saw.

MDF works very well for building speaker cabinets because of the density and mass. Not too many other uses I'd actually use it over plywood.

 

[TheoPetro]

Originally posted by: vi edit
MDF is a tool destroyer. It eats router bits and sawblades for breakfast. Plus it makes almost more of a "powder" when cut instead of a much easier to clean up sawdust from plywood. Plywood also smells better when you run it through a table saw.

MDF works very well for building speaker cabinets because of the density and mass. Not too many other uses I'd actually use it over plywood.

This.

Your Lowe's or Home Depot should have pine in 2.5x5 foot sections. I just dont like working with MDF. For a desk that I would be using daily I would stay away from MDF because of durability issues. Its tough to get it to look nice even with a veneer because the veneer will just chip and flake off. If you want a solid piece of furniture that will last you 10+ years go with solid wood.

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: vi edit
MDF is a tool destroyer. It eats router bits and sawblades for breakfast. Plus it makes almost more of a "powder" when cut instead of a much easier to clean up sawdust from plywood. Plywood also smells better when you run it through a table saw.

MDF works very well for building speaker cabinets because of the density and mass. Not too many other uses I'd actually use it over plywood.

but MDF does do well if you're trying to give solid mass to something to reduce vibration or to act as a ballast. i've seen it used as a workbench core backed on both sides by ply.

personally, i would have just gone with dowelled maple. ($$$)

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: vi edit
MDF is a tool destroyer. It eats router bits and sawblades for breakfast. Plus it makes almost more of a "powder" when cut instead of a much easier to clean up sawdust from plywood. Plywood also smells better when you run it through a table saw.

MDF works very well for building speaker cabinets because of the density and mass. Not too many other uses I'd actually use it over plywood.

i'd say the worst woodshop smell i've ever smelled was running poplar through a sander planer. ugh...god.. the smell. like rancid butter popcorn. GAHHHH