My son been nagging me about making him a computer desk for a while.  His old desk is old desk I bought @ Wal-mart some 20 yrs ago.  So you know what it is made out off.  With all the high tech stuff that on it now is being stress out big time.  All he keeps saying is something plain and simple.  Basically something like the old one.  It just has the 2 sides and a top with couple of braces to keep it from being wobbly with a dozen screws.  And  no drawers.  First thought was couple of saw horses would do since he not saying much.  I'm not very good in designing, but do know it needs something little better on the construction level than what he telling me.  The desk would be 24 inches deep and 50 to 52 inches long and about 30 inches tall.  I'll be using White Oak to match the 2 little book shelves/night stand I made for him early last year.  Question is how would you build it base on what little my son is telling me?  I'm more worried about not having anything more than front an back apron for support.  I'm thinking would need lower back brace and possibly some sort of foot rest the to support it

Wayne E

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Wayne E

Wayne, when you say it has the two sides, do you mean legs, or two sides with a bank of drawers in them?

and that fact that you made him the end tables means your almost there in the design of the desk! Basically two end tables with a long top across the both of them. If your happy with the end table designs, use those for the desk. As for the support or bracing, for desks I like to put a full sheet of ply across the back, so when the desk is up against the wall, you don't see the wall below the desk, but some nice veneered ply. The ply would serve as a solid anti racking support too.

Give me some more hints on what you want the desk to look like and we'll go from there, but I love the idea of just building two end tables like you did before, but at the proper height, and put a top across them and there ya go! A computer desk that will match the end tables perfectly!

And you could incorporate some shelves to go into your end tables/desk to hold the pc and other items.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Have your son look over some catalogs to see what he wants it to look like.

My Dad built me a desk like John is talking about. It had (has) 3 sets of drawers with a plywood top. It's been around since the early 60's and still going strong.

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

John 

The sides are to be as legs no drawers.  My thinking now (after pondering again )is to take couple of pieces and laminate them to make legs and mill / re-saw  the White Oak boards to about 3/8 inch for the side panels.  This way I could dado the legs.  Like having plywood panel looks.  This way I can also do the back with say 1/2 inch Birch plywood.  Never did like just having open back with only back apron for support.  Oh yea.  As for drawers he does want them but not as built into the desk.  Wants it as separate unit.  This I'll build it like I did the small bookcase/night stand but only will build it to match the height of the desk. Not sure it be 3 drawers or 4 yet.

Wayne E

John Morris said:

Wayne, when you say it has the two sides, do you mean legs, or two sides with a bank of drawers in them?

and that fact that you made him the end tables means your almost there in the design of the desk! Basically two end tables with a long top across the both of them. If your happy with the end table designs, use those for the desk. As for the support or bracing, for desks I like to put a full sheet of ply across the back, so when the desk is up against the wall, you don't see the wall below the desk, but some nice veneered ply. The ply would serve as a solid anti racking support too.

Give me some more hints on what you want the desk to look like and we'll go from there, but I love the idea of just building two end tables like you did before, but at the proper height, and put a top across them and there ya go! A computer desk that will match the end tables perfectly!

And you could incorporate some shelves to go into your end tables/desk to hold the pc and other items.

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Harry

I tried to.  he says something simple like the small book case I made.  He not being to helpful on this.  Been thinking of getting him to help build the desk.  Then maybe he would understands why I keep worrying him about. Now that a thought

Wayne E

Harry Brink said:

Have your son look over some catalogs to see what he wants it to look like.

My Dad built me a desk like John is talking about. It had (has) 3 sets of drawers with a plywood top. It's been around since the early 60's and still going strong.

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

Is it going to sit against a wall? If it is, I would leave the back (wall side) as open as possible to allow for easy access in running/connecting all the wires/cables. If the opposite orientation is planned, then make a wiring tray under the top overhang to get most of the cabling out of site (or some access holes thru the top). No drawers make it easier, but I'll bet somewhere down the line he'll wish he had a couple. Also, a raised shelf for the monitor and speakers (and maybe a desk lamp and printer) is a plus. I'm guess he uses a laptop but if it a tower type PC that sits on the floor, you could allow a slightly longer top overhang on that side (where the PC sets) and this will place the PC "outside" of the chair/knee area. Placing the PC within the chair/knee area is a great way to snap off the CD/DVD drawer that you always forget to close (don' ask!).

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

  There is always a Desk like this one:This one does have two drawers, though.    Just a simple little desk, with a "hutch" on top.   M&T joinery for the legs.    I THINK I have a story somewhere about building this desk.    

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

I agree with John. Build it with the book cases as the legs with a top. Maybe if he says something simple he means it. the book cases will provide lots of storage and depending on the size of the CPU it may hold that as well. I would recommend a sliding keyboard tray.

Cool computer area, Charles! I see you have found a way of dealing with software "bugs"!

Charles Nicholls said:

Before totally building the desk from scratch, sometimes it's a good idea to check with the local college, if you have one in your area. They occasionally just take older desks to the dump or sell them for literally pennies on the dollar at auctions.

This one was an old teachers desk from Harding University. If you get a lot of good scrap though, you may be able to build one just as easily and cheaply.

This desk was made with 1x6s and 2x4's It's a heavy beast but it has been around almost as long as I have. The sides are made from the 1x6's all tops except for the black desktop itself are made of approximately 3/4 to 1" plywood as well as the back. the desktop is the only crappy part which is I guess what you'd call pressed particle board but it is also 3/4" to 1" thick so it wont break easily.

Anyway thats my 2 cents

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
http://www.nichollswoodworks.com
This website is new so it doesn't have much to it yet but you are welcome to take a look

something like this

or this

 

can easily be modified to what you want.

 

Also see if there's a thrift store that sells used furniture, you might be able to get something like these and add a file cabinet or bookcase on top like steve did.

Ah yes more like the last picture but no drawers.  At least that was basically what he is saying.  My only concern was bracing it after the top was mounted to keep it from being wobbly.  Now thinking of putting 1/2 inch thick birch plywood  about 24 inches wide for the back.  This would still leave an opening near the floor for running cables and or other wiring for all those other hi tech stuff he has.  With all these electronic stuff he has, do believe he could start his on computer business.  Mumm, wander that what he trying to do?

Wayne E

dragon1 said:

something like this

or this

 

can easily be modified to what you want.

 

Also see if there's a thrift store that sells used furniture, you might be able to get something like these and add a file cabinet or bookcase on top like steve did.

Lewis

The desk will sit against the wall.  Now considering 1/2 inch Birch plywood about 24 inches wide for the back wall.  This would leave opening near the floor for all those cables and wiring.  As far the raise shelf I did mention that and he says no.  Actually I think he will decide later he need one which would not be too hard to do.  Can build one to just sit on top of the desk later.  Drawers he want them but not built into the desk but as a separate unit.  I can build it sort of same way I did the small bookcases but to match the same height of the desk.

  Thanks

Wayne E

Lewis Kauffman said:

Is it going to sit against a wall? If it is, I would leave the back (wall side) as open as possible to allow for easy access in running/connecting all the wires/cables. If the opposite orientation is planned, then make a wiring tray under the top overhang to get most of the cabling out of site (or some access holes thru the top). No drawers make it easier, but I'll bet somewhere down the line he'll wish he had a couple. Also, a raised shelf for the monitor and speakers (and maybe a desk lamp and printer) is a plus. I'm guess he uses a laptop but if it a tower type PC that sits on the floor, you could allow a slightly longer top overhang on that side (where the PC sets) and this will place the PC "outside" of the chair/knee area. Placing the PC within the chair/knee area is a great way to snap off the CD/DVD drawer that you always forget to close (don' ask!).

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Sorry Charles

He won't even think about getting some old desk from anywhere.  He got his heart set on me making him the desk.  His reason is the small bookcase/ night stand I made is heavy and better built that any store bought one.  Did I hear a complement somewhere on this from him ???  Gee that the most I think I got from him on my woodworking.  Usually he would it looks ok.    I'll setting for any good comment from him any way I can get it 

Wayne E

Charles Nicholls said:

Before totally building the desk from scratch, sometimes it's a good idea to check with the local college, if you have one in your area. They occasionally just take older desks to the dump or sell them for literally pennies on the dollar at auctions.

This one was an old teachers desk from Harding University. If you get a lot of good scrap though, you may be able to build one just as easily and cheaply.

This desk was made with 1x6s and 2x4's It's a heavy beast but it has been around almost as long as I have. The sides are made from the 1x6's all tops except for the black desktop itself are made of approximately 3/4 to 1" plywood as well as the back. the desktop is the only crappy part which is I guess what you'd call pressed particle board but it is also 3/4" to 1" thick so it wont break easily.

Anyway thats my 2 cents

---

Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
http://www.nichollswoodworks.com
This website is new so it doesn't have much to it yet but you are welcome to take a look

Mike

He does not want sliding keyboard tray.  that was one of the first thing I asked him on.

Thanks

Wayne E

Mike Dillen said:

I agree with John. Build it with the book cases as the legs with a top. Maybe if he says something simple he means it. the book cases will provide lots of storage and depending on the size of the CPU it may hold that as well. I would recommend a sliding keyboard tray.