Desk Building. Looking for folks who've done it before!

[Draegan]

Alrighty.  I'm building a new computer this summer and what that'll do is give me two viable computer and I will need a new desk to support both of them!  I'll be most likely grabbing a 24/26" monitor for the new rig and a dual monitor setup for the old one.  I need to put the desk in the corner of my living room and I'm limited to space so I'm thinking about an "L" shaped desk.

The question is, has anyone successfully built their own desk?  I hate buying the typical Ikea/Target/Walmart/OfficeMax desk as they never really feel comfortable sitting at.  I'm trying to look for an inexpensive setup.  I don't need drawers or anything spiffy, just a good work space.  Living in an apt.  I don't have the work area to start treating wood etc, so I need something that's pre-treated.  I've seen places where MDF board (medium density fiberboard) works as a material, but I can't seem to find it at the local Home Depot/Lowes.

Anyone have any ideas or experience building a computer desk?  Looking for some opinions and maybe some pitfalls to avoid as I'm not a carpenter, though I'm no stranger with tools or other devices, I've just never build a decent piece of furniture.

[K9]

I know you said you're not a fan of Ikea, but I'd still reccomend this desk from them. The desk is roomy, decently sturdy and dirt cheap. I used one for 2 years and miss it quite a bit. I always enjoyed working at it because I always felt that I had plenty of room to spread myself around. Also, unlike many Ikea products, it came with all the bits and didn't fall apart, even with consecutive dissasembly and reassembly.

If you're still not feeling the ikea thing, I don't know much about woodwork, but you could use the dimensions and shape of that desk as a template to make a decent desk of your own.

[Draegan]

I need something in an "L" shape, so if I were to go that way, I'd need two of them.

[Furiously]

I built my own desk, Went cheap and used a 1/2 sheet of melamine. Course I have a nook that fit perfect. Just used some 1x2s to support the underside of it.

If you have access to a tablesaw there really is no reason to buy one.

[Signe]

THIS looks easy!  You could probably even make two. 

[Sky]

I hate 'computer desks'. I've never seen one billed as a computer desk that I like. I'd build one out of dimensional lumber with some veneers to surface, if I were of the mind to build one.

I'm still waiting to inherit my old "computer desk" from my mother, it's a massive wooden monstrosity.

[Merusk]

Step 1)  Find an office building that is being renovated.  They usually throw whole sections of countertop out as new tennants move in and they renovate the space.  Medical offices are good for this, or you can just try phoning up one of the local office management companies/ design-build contractors.   My cubicle mate just got an 8' section of lamninated countertop this way, and there were 4 other sections at least 6' long and up to 12' long there.

Step 2) Cut it down to the size you need/ want and form the desk.

Step 3) Use sky's 2x4-to-the-wall to hold the back edge up. (We call this a ledger board)

Step 4)  To hold the front edge up there's two methods.
              a)  You may luck out and find angle braces when you pick-up the countertop.  They'll be designed to sit under the countertop and against the wall at a 30-45 degree angle, depending on height and design.  If you don't it's easy enough to just buy some plywood and build them yourself with a circular saw and some more 2x's
              b)  The post method -  I don't like this method as it's too easy to kick-out a post, but it's simple enough.  Either buy a 4X4 post at yon home store or ask a local Architecture/ Printing firm for the cardboard tubes inside of their plotter/ printer paper rolls.  Our tubes are 36" long, 1/4" thick and about 4" in diameter.  They're fucking sturdy.

Step 5) Finish off any unfinished/ unsightly edges with some wood trim from the home store.

[Venkman]

College solution: old door on two filing cabinets. Strongest desk you can get for free.

I never like Ikea stuff beyond the aesthetic. They probably have changed things over the years, but I've had enough problems with their particle board to last a lifetime.

I prefer my desks to be solid wood. I never want to worry about weight. This stems from the days of 19" CRT monitors with CPUs and other assorted crap. I built my work bench in the garage with largely the same mentality. Some people would probably be fine with four 2x4s and a sheet of 3/4" plywood. Me, I laid 14 2x4s on their sides, glued them all together, threw two sheets of 3/4" plywood on top (the top to replace when it gets crapped up), and used two 2x4 legs per corner. You could drive a truck on the thing.

So when I do my next desk, it'll be whatever piece of wood I think will look good stained and poly'd on top of some drawers I'll build with the Lowes draw stuff, and some legs. Haven't worked up a design yet. Gotta move first.

[Polysorbate80]

I hate 'computer desks'. I've never seen one billed as a computer desk that I like. I'd build one out of dimensional lumber with some veneers to surface, if I were of the mind to build one.

I've had this one in mind for some time.  Although the top is custom-veneered MDF if the plans are followed precisely.

They have plans for a couple of matching pieces as well.

[Merusk]

You think you're kidding with that "you could drive a truck on it"  crack, Darniaq, but 2 2X4s (SPF #2) can hold 4000# at only 54% of capacity.

As for the 14 2X4's   

[K9]

I hate 'computer desks'. I've never seen one billed as a computer desk that I like. I'd build one out of dimensional lumber with some veneers to surface, if I were of the mind to build one.

This too, I find a large flat surface with no extraneous bits to be the ideal surface to work at.

[Selby]

I did this.  It's Ikea, but it is billed as a generic desk.  You can organize the sections to fit any way you want.  I have mine in an L-shape and all of my computer equipment there. A command center really.  All of the "computer desks" I looked at looked like ass, so I chose not to use one.  I used to use 2 folding tables and a filing cabinet to do the equivalent in college.

[schild]

I use 2 Ikea Jerkers.



1. Great Name.
2. Solid as fuck. Probably the most solid think Ikea makes.
3. Huge.
4. Awesome stain that gets cooler as you use it more. The Black turns into a dark brown into a shade lighter. Neat effect from using it for 3 years.
5. It's cheap as fuck.
6. Good luck finding one. The second version is out and it's balls compared to the first. Obviously Ikea fixed the "Too much Value for Too Little Cost" 'problem' of the first one.

You will not ever be able to build a better desk than multiple jerkers. Try Craigslist.

[Salamok]

I've seen places where MDF board (medium density fiberboard) works as a material, but I can't seem to find it at the local Home Depot/Lowes.

you aren't looking hard enough. 

schild has the right idea, I picked up an L-shaped desk at costco about 12 years ago that is basically 2 of those ikea jerkers joined by a corner unit.  The corner peice bit the dust around year 5 but the 2 side units are still going strong. 

I think my next desk is going to start out as an extremely oversized antique desk which I can hollow out to build in all my comp shit (a few comps, flatbed scanner, inkjet printer, speakers, a few monitors, kvm switch and a shredder).

[Signe]

We've had to dismantle my father's home, recently, because he's become sick and insane.  We have some of my mother's furniture, huge cherry wood dressers with mirrors, cedar lined drawers and that sort of thing.  She always bought the best furniture she could find and I suppose they're very nice.  I hate them all, including the big fancy desk that I used to use a bajillion years ago when I lived with them.  Too much wood.  Too fancy.  And now I get to have some of this giant stuff in my house, at least until my nephews can fit them in to where ever they decide to live or until we leave the US in a couple years time.  Le sigh.  I like minimal.  The office set up we have is all glass and chrome.  I like this sort of thing:



Wish I could buy that desk.  Unfortunately, it's $16,235.  Even I couldn't justify that!  (I'm trying, though)

I do like the odd bit of wood furniture.  I love my living room sofa which is made out of bomber jackets, too.  I just don't like huge clunky heavy wood furniture.  I don't like collections, either, barring our music and film collections.  Dusty crap.  I even toss out books when I'm done reading them, though Righ has a collection of mostly science fiction books signed by authors which I've learned to ignore.

[rattran]

I built my own desk out of 3/4" plywood, L design, with a monitor riser, a ups/router/nas box under shelf, and an inset for the computer.
Just takes a saw, a screwgun, and some time.

Please ignore the dishes (it's been a long weekend) the tangle of wires, and Otto.

[Ookii]

I spy four computers.

[Signe]

A SCREWGUN!  oooo.

[schild]

I spy four computers.

And Frankenstein's Monitor setup.

[Samwise]

I use 2 Ikea Jerkers.

I second the Jerker.  Couldn't remember the name until schild posted the picture.  Great desk.

[Venkman]

You think you're kidding with that "you could drive a truck on it"  crack, Darniaq, but 2 2X4s (SPF #2) can hold 4000# at only 54% of capacity.

Actually, I was serious. I've got an extra shelf a foot off the floor specifically to make useful the cross beams I put in to hold the legs from bowing. Back when I had no kids, I had the time to build shit that would last. I'm sure if I landed a garage on it or something it'd crack. I just wanted a workbench I could pound with a freakin sledgehammer if I needed, could vice-grip anything to, and I could stand my ever-fattening ass on if I needed to get into the rafters.

[rattran]

I spy four computers.

And Frankenstein's Monitor setup.

4 computers, but only 2 are currently connected. One is a flaky old 939 I haven't started gutting, and the Antec 900 is spoken for and just waiting for a video card.

I don't get why the monitor setup gets a 'Frankenstein' label though, the 2 24" are on one machine, with the server running irc and torrents on the 19" in the corner.

[Ookii]

I don't get why the monitor setup gets a 'Frankenstein' label though, the 2 24" are on one machine, with the server running irc and torrents on the 19" in the corner.

Compared to Schild's Widescreen 24" next to a 4:3 19"?   Got me!

[NiX]

You should be able to find MDF in Home Depot, but then again they all stock differently. 3/4" melamine would be fucking sturdy if you seriously can't find the MDF sheets and want an alternative. I couldn't get away with the 2X4 setup as all my walls are concrete.

The idea of building a new desk intrigues me. I'll ask my boss for some ideas on this and I can pass them on to you if you want.

[JoeTF]

I built myself an vastly upgraded version of that Ikea Jerker. As in, ordered the wooden parts from carpenter and welded & drilled metal parts myself (you will need a few metal drill bits, you can outsourcing welding to friend who actually has a welding machine). There are slight discolorations on the metal due to welding, but the woodwork is top notch.
And best part of it - it cost like 20% of what Ikea asked for theirs. (also, been in constant use for about 5 years and no structural failures - it really is solid design:D)

[Draegan]

Great ideas guys.  I think I'll have to check around the other Home Depots, most likely the nearest one was out of stock or whatever of the MDF board.

I like rat's desk.  Not bad, I had something similar to that in mind.  Like everyone else I hate "computer desks".  I normally would of gotten two desks like Schild has said, however I'm limited to space on one side.

Random desk picture!

[schild]

That chair looks like serious fucking business. Does it turn into a robot? Also, NO WIRES, OMG. And what's that third monitor supposed to be hooked up to? And why with all that expensive shit does she have a stock mouse and a $6 Ikea lamp. I don't trust this picture. Not even one bit.

[Draegan]

I also think thats really a man too.

Anyone else use a monitor mount for two LCDs like this:


Just curious since the ones I find are at least $150.00.  Seems over priced to me.

[schild]

That seems spiffy but completely and entirely unnecessary.

[Signe]

I would love to have a house with no wires anywhere.  I can hardly imagine something so wonderful. 

[Draegan]

That seems spiffy but completely and entirely unnecessary.

I was going for spiffy, but not $140 for a small metal rack spiffy.

[Sky]

The desk I was talking about is more like this:


That's a real desk. All those others are pale desk wannabes. Or worse, trendy.

I don't even know where to find an Ikea :)

[Sky]

I would love to have a house with no wires anywhere.  I can hardly imagine something so wonderful. 

[Signe]

You know what I mean.  I hate wires.  They get dusty and cats use them to pull stuff down. 

That desk is very much like the one we pulled out of my father's house the other day, except no leather top and it was a one person desk.  It's also red mahogany which I think is the same as the picture posted.  If my nephew hadn't of taken it, I don't know what we would have done.  The thing weighs a ton and neither my sister nor I were willing to keep it.   Since the two big wooden dressers were brought over yesterday, I have been doing nothing but cleaning them.  My father was a chain smoker and, OMG, the nicotine just never ends!  Hopefully there's still a finish I can polish after it's all gone.   My entire house stinks of smoke now.     I didn't expect that for some reason.

[Salamok]

I also think thats really a man too.

Anyone else use a monitor mount for two LCDs like this:


Just curious since the ones I find are at least $150.00.  Seems over priced to me.

if you go that route you need to just spend a few extra $$ and get a swing arm mount that has no foot print.

dual desk mount arm