Has anyone ever built their own desk?

[alkemyst]

Hell yeah I do! Sitting square to a desk is for tards.

Get a real desk like 36" or deeper and you will be singing a different tune.

 

[Humpy]

Get a real desk like 36" or deeper and you will be singing a different tune.

The desk pictured is 36 X 72.

 

[sonambulo]

Yes, I built my own desk.

The frame is aluminum pipe joined with kee klamps. The top is two 4' x 4' butcher block panels. Expanding casters on the base. There is one shelf underneath the top. One half holds a panel shaped exactly like the Herman Miller Envelop surface that slides out and drops to an angle; very comfortable for keying. The other half of the shelf holds a Wii, a PS3, a pair of UPS' and some cable collection/organization racks.

It's a great desk, but if I were to build it again I would use double layered plywood instead of the butcher block and go with two 4 x 4 tables used in tandem. The top was pretty expensive so I am less than enthusiastic about beating on it. I love having all that space and being able to slide the whole deal around.

edit: I have all kinds of crazy ideas for my next build. Now that this thread made me think about it perhaps I will look into ditching the top and rebuilding it this summer. Thanks for that

 

[0roo0roo]

I think I'm going to go with this design:





I'm just wondering if that will be strong enough or if it will sag over time, more concerned about the keyboard tray as if it sags it will fall out of the rail. Going to use the thickest plywood I can find. I think 3/4 is usually the thickest. So think I should be ok. For the desk itself I might add some extra bracing under it to be safe.

The tray spans 95cm, the whole desk is 230cm. There's two trays, as I'll use the other side for working on PCs/servers etc so it's basically a separate work station.

I just need to figure out if any place here can deliver wood since I don't have a truck. I'll probably start on this like tomorrow if I can manage to get the wood here.

Eh you are better off with more top surface area keeping it the same, in either case, remove the stupid kb tray, nothing but trouble These days when monitors are so thin kb trays are useless, used to be that the monitor took up the entire desk so you had to have more space in front for a kb, now its just unnecessary.

anyways the design looks like a lot of effort for no actual advantage over some relatively cheap large simple office desk. kinda ugly to boot. only worth it to build if yo u can make something like a 500+ dollar desk for 100 dollars or something.

 

[sonambulo]

Eh you are better off with more top surface area keeping it the same, in either case, remove the stupid kb tray, nothing but trouble These days when monitors are so thin kb trays are useless, used to be that the monitor took up the entire desk so you had to have more space in front for a kb, now its just unnecessary.

No.

A properly angled, ergonomic keying surface provides elbow support and enables the wrists to angle properly. The keyboard tray should look something like this or the flex edge shown here. In tandem with a good monitor arm, a reclining chair and a proper foot rest, an extremely ergonomic solution can be obtained.

 

[Ancalagon44]

I've thought about building a desk myself. The first (and only) thing I ever made out of wood, was this:

Its a plant stand for growing chilli peppers indoors. No, I dont grow MJ.

The only thing that puts me off, well besides the amount of work required, is building drawers. I would want drawers for my desk, but I dont know if could do them justice. Ie make the edges line up neatly, and have them be functional.

EDIT:
In case anyone is curious, here are some more shots:

Since that last image was taken, I've found a way to raise the seedlings up by about 8 inches, so they are now within 1-2 inches of the lights. I also made foil-lined masonite boards to cover the sides.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I've been wanting a new desk, one with quite a bit of height adjustment (standing to sitting, so like a good 2-3 feet at least).

 

[Howard]

Yes, I built my own desk.

The frame is aluminum pipe joined with kee klamps. The top is two 4' x 4' butcher block panels. Expanding casters on the base. There is one shelf underneath the top. One half holds a panel shaped exactly like the Herman Miller Envelop surface that slides out and drops to an angle; very comfortable for keying. The other half of the shelf holds a Wii, a PS3, a pair of UPS' and some cable collection/organization racks.

It's a great desk, but if I were to build it again I would use double layered plywood instead of the butcher block and go with two 4 x 4 tables used in tandem. The top was pretty expensive so I am less than enthusiastic about beating on it. I love having all that space and being able to slide the whole deal around.

edit: I have all kinds of crazy ideas for my next build. Now that this thread made me think about it perhaps I will look into ditching the top and rebuilding it this summer. Thanks for that

Butcher block can be sanded down whenever there's damage. How many other desktops can you say that about?

 

[AFurryReptile]

1) Buy slab of countertop
2) Attach to wall with three diagonal crossbeams
3) Attach separate sliding-keyboard tray to the bottom (or, install the countertop at a height that doesn't bother your arms)
4) Profit

Source: I've done this myself, several times in fact. Works great.

 

[Kreon]

I built my own desk.

I bought 2 desktops (1 was a corner, the other just a length) and a small corner section for my TV (above the desk) from the Ikea scratch and dent for $36.

I framed it up with 2x3 for the frame, and some bracing to keep it stable.

It's a solid desk, I routinely stand on it to open the window above it.

EDIT: Will post pics when I get home tonight

 

[0roo0roo]

No.

A properly angled, ergonomic keying surface provides elbow support and enables the wrists to angle properly. The keyboard tray should look something like this or the flex edge shown here. In tandem with a good monitor arm, a reclining chair and a proper foot rest, an extremely ergonomic solution can be obtained.

easier to just get one of these

 

[yh125d]

I'm a drafter (autocad, 3d designer) by trade, and I'm closing on my first house in a few weeks. First big project? Designing and building my office in my small bedroom. It's going to be a full desk, with built in cabinets and storage with prebuilt hidden wiring trays, and all sorts of stuff. Since I do it all day anyway, I'm going to create a full package of fabrication detail drawings for it too, just to have. I'll be sure to make a thread when I do

 

[BrokenVisage]

Who builds things anymore? Just go to Staples and pick one out dumbo!

 

[Red Squirrel]

No.

A properly angled, ergonomic keying surface provides elbow support and enables the wrists to angle properly. The keyboard tray should look something like this or the flex edge shown here. In tandem with a good monitor arm, a reclining chair and a proper foot rest, an extremely ergonomic solution can be obtained.

This. I can't stand not having a keyboard tray, I feel that I have to put my hands too high. I could put the desk lower but it would be too low for doing stuff like soldering or other activities that I will also be doing on this desk.

I'm not aiming so much for looks, but functionality, but I'll probably try to make it look half decent by sanding it well and then painting/staining it. The best thing will be the ability to easily add cable management, electrical outlets, etc... I will just improvise those in at the end. I'm thinking of just adding a row of outlets on the back. It happens often I just want to plug something in temporarily, it will be handy for this. In fact I may be able to have all outlets built in and not even need a power bar. Just two power cords come out, one for the UPS and one for the surge protection, and the outlets will be split or something. Lot of possibilities.

 

[Kreon]

The best thing will be the ability to easily add cable management, electrical outlets, etc... I will just improvise those in at the end. I'm thinking of just adding a row of outlets on the back. It happens often I just want to plug something in temporarily, it will be handy for this. In fact I may be able to have all outlets built in and not even need a power bar. Just two power cords come out, one for the UPS and one for the surge protection, and the outlets will be split or something. Lot of possibilities.

On mine, near where I do my electronics/other hobbies, I attached a power strip to the support on the underside. Giving me easy, clear access (with enough room for chargers and such too), but also keeping it out of the way when not in use. I also originally had a piece of vinyl siding that I cut running along the back bottom to run wires in to keep them hidden. Unfortunately it broke and I haven't bothered to replace it.

On one of my buddies desk, he built the UPS into the desk, adding a mount for it in the back of the underside and running all of his cables along a similar peice of vinyl siding to me.

Also, going to nix the pics I promised. Desk looks like a tornado went through and I don't feel like cleaning it tonight. Maybe if I clean it tomorrow.

 

[seanbrown5]

I built a wall mounted keyboard/mouse tray and wall mounted monitor and ran all of my cables through the wall, and now I sit in a recliner while I game/program/surf

 

[AreaCode707]

damn.

maybe I shouldn't have gone fishing for Nik, since he is bannanated.

There is no fucking way that is your goddamn desk you fucking bullshitter! Prove it, motherfucker!

/nik

 

[sonambulo]

easier to just get one of these

Unlike the examples posted, that particular keyboard doesn't provide elbow support. The desk surface would have to be uncomfortably low to use that keyboard with elbow rests if a keyboard tray is not installed.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Made some changes to the design, added a bit more bracing, and power outlets.

I will probably add more outlets at the bottom too to eliminate the power bar altogether. I'll just have a UPS. Some plugs will be UPS protected and some won't. I'll probably make them split outlets.

Some of the dimensions are rough, this is mostly to give me something to go on while building, things may change somewhat.

This thing will be a beast. Can't wait to start on it, just have to figure out how to get a sheet of plywood to my house. That will be the most challenging part. I wish I had a truck.

 

[herm0016]

that thing is crazy. way more work than it needs to be. and the best way to attach legs is: http://www.ehow.com/video_2328827_attach-legs-table.html

how are you going to attach the 2x4 cross pieces? blocks underneath them? or mortise out the 4x4? all of the bracing could be 1x lumber. if you are going to use laminate on top, you could save a bit by using MDF instead of plywood.

you could eliminate the 2x4 cross bracing by framing under your shelves with 1x2 on edge. this will make your shelves much stiffer over the run between legs. you could also replace the center 3 4x4's with a sheet of plywood on end. this will save you some major weight. or, make all the center and middle legs 2x lumber, as they are really not needed for support of the top.

if you attach the legs like above, the runners on the bottom are not needed. the current design will be very difficult to move and keep in one piece, like anything form ikea. proper joining and fastening will go a long way.

make sure to get good lumber. this will make the job much smoother.

i do like the outlets/ups idea a lot.

 

[Humpy]

Each one of those legs will support around 12,000 lbs.

I definitely think it will be strong enough.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I'll probably just screw everything together with long screws. The right way would be to etch the 4x4's but I don't really have the proper setup/tools to do anything fancy, this will be a fairly straightforward build. I'm going with plywood mostly for the strength. If I want to start screwing hooks and other stuff for cable management, I can and they will be strong. I will probably varnish/stain the surface, maybe just stain or paint the rest. Not sure yet.

To secure the top I'll probably screw from the bottom and make sure the ends go half way into the plywood, I will also glue it. I may also just screw down and then add wood filler.

The way that video does it is good too though, that's how lot of furniture is made. And yeah I'll have to go around the different places that sell wood to see what the quality is. I don't want anything warped or bowed etc. It's one of the reason I'm going with bigger lumber as the smaller lumber tends to be the most warped.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Each one of those legs will support around 12,000 lbs.

I definitely think it will be strong enough.

I don't know about 12,000 lbs (that's a couple big trucks), but it will definitely be able to hold a lot. :biggrin: I went with those mostly for show.

 

[Humpy]

I don't know about 12,000 lbs (that's a couple big trucks), but it will definitely be able to hold a lot. :biggrin: I went with those mostly for show.

It's a conservative estimate. A typical piece of douglas fir 4x4 has a compressive strength of 15 to 20k lbs. Your nine legs could conceivable hold upwards of 180,000 lbs.

Yep, definitely strong enough!:biggrin:

 

[zinfamous]

There is no fucking way that is your goddamn desk you fucking bullshitter! Prove it, motherfucker!

/nik

:wub:


seriously: I was about to do an MSpaint stick figure with some dude, horribly superimposed, sitting in front of that desk with a camera self-portrait cord and holding a sign....but then realized that would take, like, 20 minutes of my time!