Custom Desk

[shea99]

So im not doing anything fancy and putting my PC inside the desk or anything but im looking to 'create' my own desk similar to the one linus did in the ikea hack desk.

 

So im looking at buying

1x ikea alex draw https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/alex-drawer-unit-white-10192824/

1x ikea alex cupboard https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/alex-storage-unit-white-60192826/

the capita legs to raise the top of the alex draws https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/capita-leg-stainless-steel-30244346/

and then either a piece of hardwood plywood and varnish it or an mdf board and vinyl wrap it.

 

I want the desk to be 140x60 and was thinking about how i could implement a way to cable manage  the wires by maybe putting a piece of board across the bottom near the back of the desk. i had also thought about trying to implement some leds by maybe routing the back edge of the desk however im not sure if i have the tools or equipment to do so.

 

Just any advice would be appreciated and some pros and cons about mdf or plywood 

[W-L]

5 hours ago, shea99 said:

-SNIP-

With a desk that large you will want to look at something a bit more substantial than a single layer of plywood or MDF for the top since it will bend or sag overtime. I'd personally look at getting a proper tap top section that is made of solid material at around 1" thick and not the hollow core stuff. 

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/gerton-table-top-beech-50106773/

 

That will also let you easily put the tap top in place without the need for extra bracing around back, as for cable management a simple solution would be to add a cable tray under the desk to run wires or some cable trucking.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/signum-cable-trunking-horizontal-silver-colour-30200253/

[shea99]

13 hours ago, W-L said:

With a desk that large you will want to look at something a bit more substantial than a single layer of plywood or MDF for the top since it will bend or sag overtime. I'd personally look at getting a proper tap top section that is made of solid material at around 1" thick and not the hollow core stuff. 

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/gerton-table-top-beech-50106773/

 

That will also let you easily put the tap top in place without the need for extra bracing around back, as for cable management a simple solution would be to add a cable tray under the desk to run wires or some cable trucking.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/signum-cable-trunking-horizontal-silver-colour-30200253/

i had considered this, although the solution i came to would be to have the top desk on a long u shaped support towards the back and then 4 legs two either side of the front of the ply to sit on the cabinets. would not only completely hide cables but also from what i have read would give enough structural support  

[W-L]

1 hour ago, shea99 said:

i had considered this, although the solution i came to would be to have the top desk on a long u shaped support towards the back and then 4 legs two either side of the front of the ply to sit on the cabinets. would not only completely hide cables but also from what i have read would give enough structural support  

As long as you have bracing at the rear and front of the desks and given some decently thick and good quality plywood that would be acceptable. Personally I'd get 3/4" ply and brace the rear and then edge the sides with 1-2" solid wood to give some substance to the table top.

 

Just note that those metal legs are for raised cabinet bottoms and you will need to figure out a solution to fasten down onto the desk top and then onto the cabinets. 

 

You would be looking for something like this if you want a riser between the cabinet and desk surface. 

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/capita-bracket-stainless-steel-40051196/

[shea99]

43 minutes ago, W-L said:

As long as you have bracing at the rear and front of the desks and given some decently thick and good quality plywood that would be acceptable. Personally I'd get 3/4" ply and brace the rear and then edge the sides with 1-2" solid wood to give some substance to the table top.

 

Just note that those metal legs are for raised cabinet bottoms and you will need to figure out a solution to fasten down onto the desk top and then onto the cabinets. 

 

You would be looking for something like this if you want a riser between the cabinet and desk surface. 

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/capita-bracket-stainless-steel-40051196/

i didnt think about the risers yea that was the plan to use some solid wood to create the u support. Thanks for the help