Building A Computer Case Desk

[KingPizza]

I want to start by saying this project turned out a lot better than I thought it would, despite the final product having a number of flaws. I am in no way talented at this kind of stuff, and we only had basic tools to make it happen, so trust me when I say anyone can do this if they really wanted to.

 

This build is almost wholly inspired by Linus' desk build he did a couple years ago. I take a few hints from his video, but it's mostly my design. I decided to do this because I wanted something special, something I could truly call my own. Desk cases are also super expensive, starting around $1200 online. This desk was around $300 when all was said and done. For now I only have the desk portion done, no PC components are going in for roughly another year, so I'll probably update again when that happens.

 

When I started the project I decided I didn't want the square leg cutout. I thought it would just be too much work. I drew out schematics that didn't include the cut out. After about a week of preparation (I didn't have every day to work on this) I decided to do the leg cutout. This was going to be something special, something I would be proud of and have for a long time. I didn't want to cut corners and not be happy with the end product.

 

In the end my desk looks similar to the one Linus made, but measured to fit me. I will attach the schematic in the pictures below, it will include all the measurements. I was able to get all the pieces I needed from a 4x8 slab of Pine plywood. I decided not to use MDF because plywood is way stronger, holds screws better, and really looks just as smooth.

 

At first I was going to place the sides on the outside of the bottom, but decided I was going to use screws, so ended up putting them on the top so the screws were hidden on the bottom. I really wanted to try putting it together with only glue like Linus did, but the seams kept coming apart and it just wasn't that sturdy, so I used screws everywhere. I just made sure they were inset, put some wood filler over them, and you can't even tell they're there.

 

Speaking of decisions that changed, I wanted the legs to be straight on the outside of each side of the desk, but that would have meant to middle would bow down. In order to support the weight of the center I would have had to place a wood block in the back attached to the legs, and I didn't like that idea. So instead we slanted the legs like Linus did and created small triangles to hold them in place. 

 

This entire project was finished using only basic tools. A skill saw, jigsaw, hole saw, sander, impact drill, regular drill, and various other odds and ends. The I/O cutout is covered with a material I found at Home Depot called Gutter Guard, it works pretty well. At first I used black paint in a can to paint it and it turned out awful. I am not a painter. I went back to Home Depot and bought spray paint and it worked SO much better.

 

The glass on top was purchased online for $168 after shipping and tax. 1/4in, light grey, tempered glass. It was custom made from One Day Glass who just happens to be located an hour away from me. The 4x8 3/4in pine plywood was $30 at Home Depot.

 

If I'm missing any details or anyone wants to know anything else, just leave a comment. I was having difficulty uploading all the pictures I needed to show so I uploaded them all to Imgur.

 

https://imgur.com/gallery/GKePy

[KingPizza]

Reserved for finished build.

 

 

 

 

[KingPizza]

Multipost.

 

 

 

[Guest]

did you like those legs? no offense i find them quite ugly 

[MoonlightSylv]

I want to do this now.

[KingPizza]

Uploading pictures isn't working too well, I'm gonna upload on imgur when I get home.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, ShadowTechXTS said:

I want to do this now.

me too

[KingPizza]

3 hours ago, lolimpol said:

did you like those legs? no offense i find them quite ugly 

Apparently Linus also had a lot of comments disliking the leg design. I didn't want to do it at first, but irl it really looks good. It's also the easiest, most functional way to put the legs on. 4 individual legs or 2 legs on each side is harder to pull off and maintain.