Building a desk

[jon-]

Now the new home office is up and functioning, I need to get a desk to fit the room properly.

Instead of going full custom, I thought I'd just get an oak / cherry bamboo worktop cut to size and put legs on myself.

Works out quite reasonable from www.worktop-express.co.uk , about £200 for nearly 2000x620x40 custom cut to my room size, rounded corners, treated, delivered.

Any obvious flaws in my plan?

End goal, something like this:

[VEX]

Nothing to add help wise, but really Interested in this as I have two to build early next year.

One double for the girls den/play/study room and a big single one for my office.

V.

[Simpo Two]

Not bad. Use a breakfast bar (900mm IIRC) if you want it deeper.

[16v stretch]

Ikea Worktop - Solid Oak[/url [url=http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00261295/#/10192824]Ikea Drawers

I have a 2 meter long desk I butchered out of bits of ikea stuff. It works well and looks fine, although I'm now contemplating swapping the cheap legs I bought for a sawhorse or some drawers for a bit of extra stability.

Total cost of that desk from Ikea is £220, might even be cheaper if you've got one of their family cards?

Also, if you've got a monitor that doesn't go high enough, or want to store DVD's or whatnots, I bought a shelf and some kitchen cabinet feet and use that as a monitor shelf.

[hahithestevieboy]

This may sound crazy but you could also try a flat faced, solid core, vaneered fire door. Already edged - available in loads of different finishes and sizes. Relatively thick strong and flat. Cheaper than you'd think. Obviously you cant cut them down.

[paulrockliffe]

If you're not in a rush you might save some money by watching eBay and Gumtree for someone's spare worktop going cheap. I also think you could do it cheaper by buying planks and gluing up yourself as you can get away with less wood for what you're trying to do, but appreciate that your way is quick and easy and not overly expensive.

[XCP]

I am making one at the mo. This is the back of the pedestal.

[Origin Unknown]

Build thread please XCP

[XCP]

these are some photos of work progressing. It is olive ash. the décor strips on the back are reclaimed oak. Probably won't be seen but who cares!

[XCP]

This is the top.You can see where the drawers will fit underneath

[XCP]

The pedestal from the front. Will contain a deep drawer and a shallow one above.

[jon-]

That's going to end up looking very nice!

[tivver500]

Nice work. You don't often see 'stopped dovetails' anymore.
Can remember doing them at school...... (back in the 60's )

[XCP]

The photos were taken in a dry run. The joints will fit when I glue it together, in case any one was wondering.

[PeterTTT]

I live in a converted barn and we have a (cheap old) desk in an alcove off our lounge.
I have just bought some waney edge oak cuts to make a desktop from (sourced some cheaply on Ebay).
I thought about using oak kitchen worktops as in 1st photo posted in this thread but that would be too "clinical" for the room we have.
Will post some before and after photos when I get round to installing it .. should be fairly simple (famous last words!) as it will be, in effect, a shelf across the alcove rather than a desk with legs.

Peter

[jon-]

Got my worktop from Worktop express, incredibly happy with the quality and service, 10/10.

I got some Danish oil and have just finished the 3rd coat. Oiling oak is oddly satisfying.

Will post some pictures once it's in the office tomorrow.

[herbialfa]

22mm thick MDF and round off any corners.

When I did my loft conversion I built the desk under the stairs to suit.

Spray painted with MDF paint and hasn't chipped once.

[Matt..]

I got a bamboo 3m worktop from worktop express a few weeks ago. I have it along one wall of my office. We somewhat failed to cut it right to fit, but that's the joys of an old house where everything is wonky! It's battoned to the walls (on three edges) and has a couple of hefty bisley filing cabinets below. It's all good so far! Just need to do the rest of the room now...

[jon-]

Matt.. said:

I got a bamboo 3m worktop from worktop express a few weeks ago. I have it along one wall of my office. We somewhat failed to cut it right to fit, but that's the joys of an old house where everything is wonky! It's battoned to the walls (on three edges) and has a couple of hefty bisley filing cabinets below. It's all good so far! Just need to do the rest of the room now...

Pictures?

I almost went bamboo but ended up with oak. Really happy with the quality now it's oiled, pictures up tomorrow.

[Matt..]

jon- said:

Pictures?

It's 2.7m, and coated in Fiddes Hard Wax Oil (Matt). Just a shame i have such wonky everything (walls and floors!). Would have liked to get some wood flooring in there too. Could also do with spraying the grey filing cabinet white, and got some Muuto lighting to go in there at some point. I might even sort out the messy cables (doubt it though!).

Very impressed with Worktop Express. Would definitely recommend them!