Building a Desk

[DanTheMuffinMan]

Hello Guys,

 

So I want a desk, a very specific desk. I searched my local furniture stores and couldn't find anything that matched what I wanted so I decided to design and build my own. I have zero experience with wood working or such manly ventures, but I do know how to use sketchup and my dad has all of the tools I think I'll need.

 

I want to keep the materials simple, so I'm just using 1/2" sheets of plywood.

Edit: Now 3/4" plywood as suggested by @tomlambert01. Also either angle-irons or 1" x 1" wooden struts to strengthen anywhere that needs it.

 

What I want from my desk:

• Corner desk, my size constraints are 5'-9" x 5'-7"
• No enclosed area around the tower
• A semi-concealed area for PS4 and similar items.
• Cable routing so that it can't be seen.
• Maximum contiguous desk top work area.
• Large drawers including at least one file drawer.
• No raised area for the monitor.

So this is what I came up with:

 

Holes to run cables as I need to, though not sure how to cut them out neatly...

 

Notches cut out to feed cables through if it ends up being flush against the wall

 

It will be built in two halves, I don't think I'll have to connect them in any way, right?

 

And seeing how much wood it would take:

 

My estimate puts the cost at under $200, easily doable. 

 

My questions are:

• Do you think this desk would be sturdy?
• I'm assuming there are kits you can buy to make the tracks for the drawers and that I could use one of them for the keyboard tray?
• Any ideas on things I could add to the design?
• Would it be possible for someone without experience (me) to build it?

[ANUPLUCIFERGAMER]

My attention went on the software used and the drawing rather than your problem .

[Hans Christian | Teri]

It should work, however it will not be the most comfortable thing in the world. Generally you don't want to keep your keyboard and mouse on something that moves, and you may or may not want more distance to your screen. In any case you should design the table with at least 2 screens in mind.

[Joshyy]

I'd be a bit worried about the sturdiness of the joints near where your computer tower would go, that single joint would be holding a lot of weight and I get the feeling it would rock about if you put any force on the desk, I suggest putting another wooden panel or at-least a wooden strut or two. 

[Swegly]

The desk would be sturdy if you build it properly

there are kits for that yes

To add to the design idk (not that good at designing) Maybe add more support to the left side where your tower will sit.

You can build it without experience if you take your time and have the right equipment.

[DanTheMuffinMan]

Sorry, forgot to mention I intend on using steel angle's on any corners that look weak. Although again, no idea how to attach them...

 

These

 

I also plan on doing a bookshelf, but that seems pretty fool-proof:

 

[DanTheMuffinMan]

It should work, however it will not be the most comfortable thing in the world. Generally you don't want to keep your keyboard and mouse on something that moves, and you may or may not want more distance to your screen. In any case you should design the table with at least 2 screens in mind.

 

Do most people not use keyboard trays? It's what I have on my current desk...

Would you suggest making a stationary keyboard tray or having the keyboard on the desk top?

 

I personally don't like two screens, I've only ever used 1 big high-end monitor (Dell U2711 at the moment) and don't see that changing any time soon

[xrex64]

So organize. 

[Lachrymal]

That desk, minus the extension with drawers and pull out tray, is exactly what I want in features. Why do they insist on having the tower space on the right?? I want to display my tower, not shove it in a cubby off to the right. I'd like to see more of these.

[DanTheMuffinMan]

If you've got it, flaunt it, eh?

[Galaxyboy27]

Take a picture when your done and show us.

[xox]

It looks really good, only I'd use thicker wood. That way, it would look more sturdy. Plus, it would be easier to drill holes into to fit doweling and screws.

 

I once built a desk, was form ikea.

[DanTheMuffinMan]

It looks really good, only I'd use thicker wood. That way, it would look more sturdy. Plus, it would be easier to drill holes into to fit doweling and screws.

 

I once built a desk, was form ikea.

3/4" plywood would be easy to come across, I was originally going to do 1" ply but some friends said it would be pointless to go that thick and it's a little harder to find.

[DanTheMuffinMan]

Take a picture when your done and show us.

 

Well this is what I've got going on right now (no cleaning up obviously), so it can only improve the situation.

 

 

[eoso]

Do you go to university? When I'm building something like that, I generally get a friend from architecture to help.

[DanTheMuffinMan]

Do you go to university? When I'm building something like that, I generally get a friend from architecture to help.

Lol, I'm an architectural technology graduate and currently in computer networking;)

[Darth Hideous]

That looks awesome. Can't wait to see the final product. 

[DanTheMuffinMan]

I came up with an alternate design based off of another thread I can't seem to find at the moment.

 

So the first design again:

 

And here's the other one I came up with:

Lay the PC on it's side, still have access to the front I/O. Each side of the desk is 2" deeper. Cables would be run underneath desk, but they may get lengthy.

 

 

Which do you guys think looks better and would function better?

I'm leaning towards the second design at the moment, I like how wide the keyboard side is.

[LukaP]

depending on how much space you have vertically, id just put the tower straight up. easier to see inside, plus more conventional and takes less footprint

[DanTheMuffinMan]

Slight refinement of the second design and a question, if I went this way that would mean my HDD would be on it's side, is that ok or would that do bad things?

 

 

And a more conventional version as recommended by @LukaP