Building desk (stores are nuts)Any one have ideas?*update*Built the desk..

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Grey

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 1999
2,737
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I went shopping for a new desk tonight and the decent ones started in the $200 range. This range included crappy veneer and pegs that won't last a move. Since I move a lot I need something a little bit more sturdy.

So to make it short, I want to make my own desk. Something simple that looks good. I don't even need drawers! I looked online but couldn't find anything that caught my eye. Anyone have any ideas? I was leaning towards a corner design because of my 19 monitor (CRT).

I built my desk, it took a couple hours but it came out great. I used an oak plywood top with a base of 2x4's. I settled on a corner desk design with a monitor stand so I could slide my keyboard under the monitor if i need to write on my desk. I will try and upload some pics later. Thanks for the help everyone!
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Yeah you can't get the good stable S#!T for < $200... more like $400.
 
G

Grey

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 1999
2,737
2
81
I know, its crazy. You would think that a simple beam and top construction would be more prevalent then this crappy steal tubular stuff.
 
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Ness

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2002
5,407
2
0
Start with drawings and measurements of available space and what you might like.

Next go to your wood supplier and ask them what kind of wood, screws, and stain/finish would be best for your application.

Draw out plans with exact measurements and write down how much wood you will need.

Begin working :)


 
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Grey

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 1999
2,737
2
81
I am just browsing online right now and looking at the plans. I guess I will just be creative...might just stick with a simple table design and add a side shelf for papers/cds.

 
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RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
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Originally posted by: ness1469
Start with drawings and measurements of available space and what you might like.

Next go to your wood supplier and ask them what kind of wood, screws, and stain/finish would be best for your application.

Draw out plans with exact measurements and write down how much wood you will need.

Begin working :)
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What he said. You're going to have to be willing to put in the time, effort, sweat, and the tears to build it. I sold those laminate compressed wood desks for 3+ years. I've had many people say they're going to build their own only to come back and say it's not worth the effort. You better think real hard and carefully about this if you're serious. Anyone can build one with 3 pieces of wood, some screws, a right angle corner holder *thingy*, and some effort, but to make it look decent with a nice finish and overall look takes time and effort.
 
G

Grey

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 1999
2,737
2
81
Originally posted by: Ornery
These "work stations" are optimized for mousing. I've GOT to have my elbow supported or I ain't happy!Birch plywood is about $40.00 per 4'x8' sheet. You can make two desktops like this out of it.
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Very nice, that was what I have in mind. Simple! I looked at the birch plywood tonight, and the oak one as well. Which wood looks better with stain anyone know?

Raging, you are right about the time. But I am willing to dedicate some effort into it, I figure if I do it well, I will have the thing for a long time. I am just sick of spending $200 bucks every time I move to a new place because the sides fell off.
 
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stev0

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2001
5,132
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0
granted i don't know much about building desks... but maybe you should check out pre-made countertops. the ones that have the laminate on top and a nice would trim around the edges.
 
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Grey

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 1999
2,737
2
81
Originally posted by: stev0
granted i don't know much about building desks... but maybe you should check out pre-made countertops. the ones that have the laminate on top and a nice would trim around the edges.
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Good suggestion, I didn't look at the counter tops tonight. I will look tomorrow, I am sure they have corner ones as well. Might be pricey though right?

I am currently using the door and file cabinet route, can't stand it anymore. It looks cheesy!
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
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Whichever wood you use, use a sealer on it before the finish. I think you may even want to use a 'filler' for oak. My desktop is the mousing surface. No mousepads here. You'll want the finish to be just right for that.

Good idea on the prelaminated tops. Home Depot has lots of them for good prices. My wife's desk is comprised of a laminated countertop, but I special ordered it.
 
amdskip

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
Originally posted by: nodoubts2k
Two peices of 1/2 inch thick plywood makes a solid surface
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That doesn't look as good. I'd go the 3/4 sheet route and then put a nice trim piece on the edge. You could get creative and use tubular steel for the base and just throw piece of plywood in for shelves.

 
G

Grey

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 1999
2,737
2
81
Originally posted by: Ornery
Whichever wood you use, use a sealer on it before the finish. I think you may even want to use a 'filler' for oak. My desktop is the mousing surface. No mousepads here. You'll want the finish to be just right for that.

Good idea on the prelaminated tops. Home Depot has lots of them for good prices. My wife's desk is comprised of a laminated countertop, but I special ordered it.
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I didn't know about the pores in the oak, thanks for that link Ornery. I will take a look at the countertops tomorrow as well. I will try and post a picture of the final results.

 
G

Grey

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 1999
2,737
2
81
The plywood sheets of Oak/Birch I saw were 3/4. In looking around for edging I saw this veneer that you can glue on to the plywood edge to hide the sandwich layers. Does anyone have experience with the edging veneers?
 
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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
The stuff sold at Home Depot is iron on. Pretty tricky on an inside radius! It's almost an inch wide, so it will hang over. That extra can be carefully trimmed away with a utility knife or single edge razor blade, then sanded.
 
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bockchow

Platinum Member
Sep 18, 2001
2,156
1
71
i shopped around at a bunch of secound had shops and used office furniture graveyards and found a good base for like $20 and then built a kind of hutch shelf system for like another $20. wishing i had a bit more elbow suport and more of a corner set-up though.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Nice desks, Ornery! You do good work. :)

I've thought of building my own too. The movers snapped my Sauder Pacifica workstation in half when they were moving my stuff. I'm currently deskless, save for a 4x2 foot table I built out of plywood and premade legs. Stained it. Doesn't look too bad.

I will be filing against the movers for the desk. It was a put it together yourself jobbie. Cost me $225+ my labor. I figure $300 should cover it. ;)

This was my desk. I miss it. Note the full-size KB shelf! A must have!
 
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thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,034
127
106
Originally posted by: heartsurgeon
go buy a desk at the goodwill store or a garage sale....
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I found mine rusting on the back porch of the first apartment I moved into. A little sand paper and some black spray paint and I have a really nice big ass metal office desk. Its about 6ft by 3ft and is plenty big for my 19inch monitor. I see them all the time for $10-$50 in the local trade papers.
 
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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
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"Nice desks, Ornery!"

Thank you, but this is strictly form following function. Don't have the tools for making true furniture... nor the skills! Even if I could put an acceptable desk together, I fall down on the finish. That's an often overlooked feature that I value highly.

Good points about preowned furniture. We do our shopping at Old Orchard Furniture. Talk about finishes on an L-shaped desk! That one was only $395.00. How about an executive's desk? Only $595.00. :Q
 
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