Building a computer desk?

Posted by: burdell1

Building a computer desk? - 07/06/2007 18:06

I am trying to find a desk to replace my old one (which was similar to this one http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=394686 ) except it had a couple of shelves where the chair would normally go. I have tried two desks since then, but none of them seem to fit all the stuff i have. so i am thinking about building one (from either scratch or from bits & pieces of different furniture.) Has anyone here tried that before?

The things it needs to have are:

* space to fit the chair underneath
* room for a 20" monitor, speakers, scanner, large printer, webcam and a book of cd-roms.
* something that isn't too wide, but it vertical shelving would work well.
* i would like it to be grey or black (or a combination of both.)

Posted by: webroach

Re: Building a computer desk? - 07/06/2007 19:38

What you're really asking here is "should I try building a piece of furniture". So it all depends on a few things.

I've built a number of custom units for computers and whatnot, but then, I have access to routers, table saws, etc. I find that if you know your way around basic tools, and you spend some time thinking about exactly what it is you want, checking out how the professionals put things together, etc., you shouldn't have much trouble. The final appearance is the variable. I've learned (yes, the hard way) that there's a reason the professionals are called "professionals"; they know what looks good an what doesn't. That in mind, I would recommend starting with an existing design, and modifying it to fit your needs.

I would recommend against using parts of other furniture. Not only are you combining things that weren't meant to be combined, but you'll have a hard time getting it to look like a cohesive whole.

Posted by: webroach

Re: Building a computer desk? - 07/06/2007 19:40

I'd be especially interested in Mark's thoughts on this, honestly.

Posted by: mlord

Re: Building a computer desk? - 07/06/2007 19:53

Quote:
I'd be especially interested in Mark's thoughts on this, honestly.

I used to have a "computer desk" setup that looked a bit like the old one from the link above -- made it all myself, of course.

But I don't have it any longer, as it was just just too confining, especially the bottom (legs) area.

My current preference, by a long shot, is a plain, large table, with four corner legs. And a wall mounted bookcase above it. It has an under-mounted keyboard tray (for the KVM switch). Much more spacious and useful, for me.

Cheers

Posted by: andym

Re: Building a computer desk? - 07/06/2007 20:12

I have one of these along with a couple of these and a couple of extra top shelves. I love it.

Posted by: tman

Re: Building a computer desk? - 07/06/2007 20:41

I went for a IKEA table as well. Fits nicely in the corner and plenty of space.

Posted by: frog51

Re: Building a computer desk? - 07/06/2007 20:58

Can't remember where I got this one, but it is really good for working at - http://moblog.co.uk/view.php?id=135615

Currently just 3 machines - a mostly windows box, a Linux/Solaris dual boot and an sgi O2. And plenty of space for laptops:-)

Posted by: andy

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 03:51

Quote:
I went for a IKEA table as well. Fits nicely in the corner and plenty of space.

That is exactly the Ikea desk that I have, though I have an extra extension on the long end. Very comfortable.

Posted by: furtive

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 05:25

Another IKEA table here too. It's just a large table with 4 legs

Posted by: LittleBlueThing

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 11:24

Large sheet of reclaimed (actually used in Trafalgar Square to hold back the crowds at the Millennium New Year) 18mm ply, belt sanded it clean, routed the edges to bull-nosed...
Lots of 2x4 for support bolted to the wall with f*ck-off big bolts (as my builder would explain it to me

) with tenon joins (I think) for the frame.
More 2x4 as a leg (all 2x4 has routed edges)
Varnished a pale honey colour.

Holds multiple 19+20" monitors (CRT+LCD)
Solid as a rock - the wood is lovely and rich, knots and whirls abound from the ply - there's a nice 'line' where the ege of the ply is routed - nice!
Dirt cheap
Very satisfying

Posted by: burdell1

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 11:42

got any pictures of it?

Posted by: andy

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 11:44

Quote:
Another IKEA table here too. It's just a large table with 4 legs

You mean a table without a curved edge? I find I end up with painful wrists if I work for more than a couple of hours at a table/desk with a straight edge.

Posted by: peter

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 11:57

All my office furniture came from Empeg Towers, which means it came from Ikea. The desk is very like the current Mikael one, with the glass top, only mine's clearly an older version, as its sides overlap the top at the corners, rather than (as now) vice versa. Presumably they've done that to increase the strength, which is a bit worrying, as the newer one says "supports up to 19in monitor" and I've had the mother of all Sony 21in monitors on mine all this time, plus for a while that big "2001 monolith" case.

Peter

Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 12:43

Quote:
I find I end up with painful wrists if I work for more than a couple of hours at a table/desk with a straight edge.

I'm the exact opposite. I can't stand curved edges.

Posted by: furtive

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 12:56

Quote:
Quote:
Another IKEA table here too. It's just a large table with 4 legs

You mean a table without a curved edge? I find I end up with painful wrists if I work for more than a couple of hours at a table/desk with a straight edge.

Nope - it;s a beech table with square edges. Haven't been to IKEA for years but you used to be able to pick a table top and legs (mix and match) - it's one of those

Posted by: andy

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 13:00

Quote:

Nope - it;s a beech table with square edges. Haven't been to IKEA for years but you used to be able to pick a table top and legs (mix and match) - it's one of those

Thats exactly what I used to use, still have two of them hidden around the house somewhere. I stopped using them after working at an office for 6 months that had curved desks. After six months there I knew that what caused my aching wrists was straight edge desks. So I bought a curved edged one for home and I have had no more wrist pain since.

Posted by: mlord

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 13:08

Quote:
Quote:

Nope - it;s a beech table with square edges. Haven't been to IKEA for years but you used to be able to pick a table top and legs (mix and match) - it's one of those

Thats exactly what I used to use, still have two of them hidden around the house somewhere. I stopped using them after working at an office for 6 months that had curved desks. After six months there I knew that what caused my aching wrists was straight edge desks. So I bought a curved edged one for home and I have had no more wrist pain since.

My office has three of those beech tables, with black tubular steel legs.

By "curved edge", do you mean "rounded over edge" (vertically),
or a curved "wrap-around" style of table ??

Rectangular tables can have rounded-over edges.
and curved tables can have square edges.

Posted by: andy

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 13:20

Sorry, wasn't very clear was I. I mean the wrap around type, mine gives me an extra four inches or so support that a straight edged desk/table wouldn't.

Posted by: cushman

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 13:51

I have this desk, it's part of a modular system at OfficeMax. You can always build your own, but I find I only build furniture that I know for sure I will keep for over 15 years OR that I need to have perfectly customized to meet my needs. Otherwise it's too expensive due to materials and time investment. My desk needs have changed over the past 5 years, when I moved from using CRTs to LCD monitors. Had I designed and built a desk around the CRTs, I might not have one that meets my needs today. How often to you re-arrange your office?

If I were to build one, though, I would create a fairly simple desk using a very heavy solid top. The top I made for my router table would work good here - it's just two pieces of 3/4" MDF glued together, banded by 1" maple strips and coverd in Formica. You can get Formica in all kinds of patterns/colors including woodgrain. I routed a 1/4" roundover on the edges to soften it. This would get you a waterproof, durable, cleanable and FREAKING HEAVY desk top. After that, legs or panels to hold the top up to the correct height and you're good to go. The top could even be curved (like my desk) and designed the same way since it's just MDF - it doesn't have to be rectangular.

Posted by: cushman

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 13:59

Forgot to add that I would also use knockdown hardware to fasten everything together, these do a pretty good job of attaching desk tops while still allowing you to unassemble/reassemble the desk multiple times in case you move. Pretty easy to use on a project as long as you have Forstner bits for the big holes.

Posted by: Roger

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 14:00

Quote:
I have one of these along with a couple of these and a couple of extra top shelves. I love it.

We had those at empeg towers for most of the developers. Toby had, like, 15 or so extenders on the top. They're pretty good, but I've decided that I prefer a simple flat desk without all of the extra bits.

I've currently got a bog-standard square desk from Ikea, although I'm thinking about one of the L-shaped ones to give me a bit more work area in my study.

Posted by: andym

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 15:31

Quote:
Quote:
I have one of these along with a couple of these and a couple of extra top shelves. I love it.

We had those at empeg towers for most of the developers. Toby had, like, 15 or so extenders on the top. They're pretty good, but I've decided that I prefer a simple flat desk without all of the extra bits.

I've currently got a bog-standard square desk from Ikea, although I'm thinking about one of the L-shaped ones to give me a bit more work area in my study.

I think that was where I saw them for the first time. I remember asking one of you guys where they came from.

Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 16:38

Quote:
Forgot to add that I would also use knockdown hardware

Guh. I hate that stuff. I never feel like a positive connection has been made.

Posted by: cushman

Re: Building a computer desk? - 08/06/2007 17:10

Quote:
Guh. I hate that stuff. I never feel like a positive connection has been made.

The cheap knockdown hardware isn't that great. If it has plastic in it, it's no good. The quality all-metal hardware I linked to from Rockler's site do a good job for desk-type stuff. Is it as good as a permanant, glued joint? Nope. If installed right it is plenty good for office furniture, though.