#299049 - 07/06/2007 18:06
Building a computer desk?
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old hand
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 931
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
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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.)
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#299050 - 07/06/2007 19:38
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: burdell1]
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old hand
Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
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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.
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#299051 - 07/06/2007 19:40
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: burdell1]
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old hand
Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
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I'd be especially interested in Mark's thoughts on this, honestly.
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Dave
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#299052 - 07/06/2007 19:53
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: webroach]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14496
Loc: Canada
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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
Edited by mlord (07/06/2007 19:54)
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#299053 - 07/06/2007 20:12
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: mlord]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 17/01/2002
Posts: 3996
Loc: Manchester UK
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I have one of these along with a couple of these and a couple of extra top shelves. I love it.
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Cheers,
Andy M
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#299054 - 07/06/2007 20:41
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: andym]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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I went for a IKEA table as well. Fits nicely in the corner and plenty of space.
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#299055 - 07/06/2007 20:58
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: tman]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 09/08/2000
Posts: 2091
Loc: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Can't remember where I got this one, but it is really good for working at - http://moblog.co.uk/view.php?id=135615Currently just 3 machines - a mostly windows box, a Linux/Solaris dual boot and an sgi O2. And plenty of space for laptops:-)
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MkIIa, blue lit buttons, memory upgrade, 1Tb in Subaru Forester STi
MkII, 240Gb in Mark Lord dock
MkII, 80Gb SSD in dock
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#299056 - 08/06/2007 03:51
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: tman]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5916
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
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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.
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#299057 - 08/06/2007 05:25
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: andy]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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Another IKEA table here too. It's just a large table with 4 legs
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#299058 - 08/06/2007 11:24
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: furtive]
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addict
Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
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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 
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LittleBlueThing
Running twin 30's
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#299059 - 08/06/2007 11:42
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: LittleBlueThing]
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old hand
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 931
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
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#299060 - 08/06/2007 11:44
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: furtive]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5916
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
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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.
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#299061 - 08/06/2007 11:57
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: andy]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4180
Loc: Cambridge, England
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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
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#299062 - 08/06/2007 12:43
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: andy]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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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.
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#299063 - 08/06/2007 12:56
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: andy]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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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
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Mk2a RioCar 120Gb - now sold to the owner of my old car
Rio Karma - now on ebay...
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#299064 - 08/06/2007 13:00
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: furtive]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5916
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
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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.
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#299065 - 08/06/2007 13:08
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: andy]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14496
Loc: Canada
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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.
Edited by mlord (08/06/2007 13:10)
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#299066 - 08/06/2007 13:20
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: mlord]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5916
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
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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.
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#299067 - 08/06/2007 13:51
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: burdell1]
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veteran
Registered: 21/01/2002
Posts: 1380
Loc: Erie, CO
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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.
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#299068 - 08/06/2007 13:59
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: cushman]
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veteran
Registered: 21/01/2002
Posts: 1380
Loc: Erie, CO
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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.
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#299069 - 08/06/2007 14:00
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: andym]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 18/01/2000
Posts: 5683
Loc: London, UK
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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.
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#299070 - 08/06/2007 15:31
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: Roger]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 17/01/2002
Posts: 3996
Loc: Manchester UK
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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.
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Cheers,
Andy M
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#299071 - 08/06/2007 16:38
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: cushman]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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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.
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Bitt Faulk
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#299072 - 08/06/2007 17:10
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: wfaulk]
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veteran
Registered: 21/01/2002
Posts: 1380
Loc: Erie, CO
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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.
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#299073 - 08/06/2007 20:01
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: burdell1]
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addict
Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
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OK:  I know the legs don't match - it's artistic 
Edited by LittleBlueThing (08/06/2007 20:04)
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#299074 - 09/06/2007 01:08
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: LittleBlueThing]
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old hand
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 931
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
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i really like the look of this one but it is way out of my price range.....
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#299075 - 09/06/2007 06:36
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: burdell1]
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addict
Registered: 11/01/2002
Posts: 612
Loc: Reading, UK
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LittleBlueThing
Running twin 30's
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#299076 - 09/06/2007 17:43
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: burdell1]
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old hand
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 931
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
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Quote:
i really like the look of this one but it is way out of my price range.....
has anyone seen this desk for sale in a store? i would love to see it in person... (although at 59" it is much wider than I was looking for.)
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#299077 - 10/06/2007 23:57
Re: Building a computer desk?
[Re: burdell1]
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old hand
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 931
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
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although it doesn't have enough shelf space for what i need (printer, scanner, etc.) this desk is very nice as well.....
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