Plans for building a nice computer desk?

[nate hancock]

This isn't a PC hardware question, but does anyone know where you can get some plans for nice computer desks? I know you can buy plenty of particle board desks, but I wanted to work with my Dad and build a desk from solid wood. I would like a corner unit with some desk space to the side. I was just wondering if anyone knew where you could download some plans or view pics of some nice ones that work well. Thanks.

 

[Jonny]

Well, this is not a corner unit, but, I figured this reply is better than no reply.

This summer I worked as a furniture delivery guy. I deliveried SOLID oak and pine stuff. I delivered 1 interesting computer desk. The idea was space saving, but, it was really impressive opened up.

Compact Computer Centre with File Cabinet Drawer

But, if your looking for a large desk with lots of space....this is the design for you.

 

[Pyro]

I'd like to get some plans too. My current desk wont do once I get my new computer. I got a small room (it was either small room to myself or share a large room with my sis) so I want to build a nice desk.
Hey, I build my putter, then why should my desk be generic?

 

[Pyro]

you know, I looked around, but there doesnt seem to be anything good


But why not come up with your own? Just look at your space, take some measurements and leave the rest to your imagination. Shouldn't be too hard.

 

[BurnItDwn]

hmmm 2 file cabinets and a 6 foot long piece of Countertop is my desk ... holds a 19inch monitor, 13inch monitor, 17inch tv, kb mouse, and a few cd towers .... and my alarm clock ...

its not at all a NICE desk ... but it works

 

[Erasmus-X]

I'm getting ready to build myself a new desk. I've been using this same office desk for 10 years and it's starting to get awfully cramped. It's about 5-foot long with 2 locking drawers, holding a 17" monitor, printer, CD storage, and all my junk. My bigass Supermicro SC760A tower stands on the floor though.

 

[Sengar]

I would be very interested in seeing some designs along these lines as well. I have been planning on (at least making an attempt at) putting something together along the lines of the Bush Office Pro II, without the >$1000 price tag. Most of the inexpensive unassembled furniture I have seen in stores is either flimsy, or way too cramped.

 

[Bonz]

Log on to new yankee workshop. They have plans for a nifty desk although it's not a corner unit. Tower hides behind a set of fake drawers. Kind of harsd to explain but they have pics etc. Sorry for no link but haven't been here long enough to figure out how.

Bonz

 

[Ornery]

Sounds like maybe some fun, working with dad, but probably not worth it. If you guys have the wherewithal to build your own, you ought to be able to design it too. It should custom fit the spot you put it in and have just the perfect number of drawers and cubby holes for your rig. Otherwise, take a look at the cheapy Bush and Sauder stuff. Use one of their designs, but with better quality wood.

I saw some wonderful (but cheap) desk setups at Sears for dirt cheap. Like $150 to $250 for perfect little work centers. And if you're doing a corner unit, that's super for my next suggestion. Make the right return the part where you use the mouse. Make it lower than the main desk. About keyboard height. That way your elbow can rest on that while you use the mouse. The most ergonomic setup ever!

To me, it's not worth building furniture. By the time you buy the material, you'll be at 1/3 the cost of a finished piece. Then the time it takes to build it plus sanding it to perfection so that the finish will be nice. Just hardly worth it. And if you blow it on the finish you're screwed. You can buy real furniture quality desks for about $1,000. Won't be custom, but it will be worth keeping for decades, if not generations.

We were quoted about $1,000 for this Double Pedestal Flat Top Desk for example. There is a "Computer Armoire" in the background too. How much do you think it would cost you to build an equivalent unit? These are all cherry with a decent dark semi-gloss finish. "Crafted of select black cherry veneers and cabinetmaker hardwood solids for enduring value." And that's just one outfit. Do you realize how many furniture manufacturers there are out there? Hundreds! Believe me, the unit you want to build is already done somewhere out there for about 30% more than you can do it yourself. And for 60% more you could get real furniture!

Good Luck!

 

[nate hancock]

Ornery,

I hear what you're saying but I'm not sure if I could completely agree. It depends on the person but getting the chance to build something with my dad would be very worth it. He has some walnut lumber taken from a tree felled on the very farm he was raised on. It would be tough to get together with him to build it perhaps and the cost might be 1/3 of buying one (if we bought different wood). But to have a desk that my dad worked on, something from the very hills where my family came from,something I could keep for many years, would be very worth it to me.

The sanding part isn't that formidable as you really don't have to sand something to glass smoothness anyway. And as far as finishing goes, staining isn't that tough if you practice on some scrap. Plus, I would likely just use a clear varnish, and only light stain at best.

Thanks for your ergonomic hints, I will consider them if we do design one.

 

[Ornery]

How cool. Well, I'll keep my eyes open for some decent plans. But you could basically just find a pre-built desk that suits your needs, and copy it's dimensions. Even the cheapest Bush/Sauder desks have some clever designs that you could incorporate. Just take a tape measure with you when you're out looking. Or even hunt for them on the Web. Sizes are given and you can estimate the details.

The finish is everything, though. One thing I've learned is to use a wood conditioner before staining. Helps the wood take the stain evenly, even on the end grains. But that's only after serious filing/sanding etc. NOT EASY!

Don't forget to track down sources for your drawer slides, hinges and other hardware. Sometimes you'll have to accommodate their dimensions of depth and width. Have those things on hand before you start cutting. Man, I hope you have access to planers and joiners etc. My head is spinning just thinking about the details

Good Luck!

 

[cabman]

Hi
Interesting posts,And maybe I could be of some assistance.What it boils down to is its really up to the individuals wants and needs,anything you would be designing and building for yourself would be really a pleasurable exspeariance,because for starters you would be motivated and really want to try to bring the project together yourself.Although it could be hard without the right equipment,materials are by no means out of reach.As mentioned before finnish is very painstaking and as an idea once you got a rough outline of what you want to acomplish,go to say a home depot and try to obtain a catalogue of any production cabinet company and make up the work centre/desk out of componants.That takes most of the hard work outa it.These catalogues give you a vast range of sizes /types ect.,to put together a really nice piece to accomodate your needs.As I stated if I can maybe give any further advise/help drop me a line.LOL but I won`t build it for you,the pleasure of that, would be yours.It would be great actually to try to return something to anyone wanting help,because you puter people have certainly helped me out in the past.you see CABMAN doesn`t allways mean that a person drives a CAB.
Not sure if my e-mail is available from this forum so i will include it here. cabmeister@earthlink.net