Computer Desk

From late 2001 to mid 2002 my computer sat on a milk crate on the floor and I sat on the floor to use it. I already had a computer desk but it was big and would not fit into the space, it was also 700 miles away in storage. A few mistakes had been made with my last desk and I did not want to repeat them (I almost succeeded). My last desk was really heavy and impossible to move without two or more people. I would solve this problem by making this new desk modular. I had a week off school for spring break and the weather look liked it was going to be okay to do this project out in the backyard. So the first week in April 2002 I began.

I didn’t want my printer or scanner to take up any area on the top of the desk. One unit of my desk is used to house the printer and scanner. They sit on frontless drawers that pull out all the way when access is needed to them. These special full extension runners for the drawers were about $12 per pair. I gave the top of the printer less than a quarter inch of clearance, one of the advantages of custom made furniture. I also drilled remounting holes for the runners in the event my next printer is bigger. The total size the unit is 30" high, 26" wide and 20" deep.

The second unit has a cupboard and a set of three drawers and measures 30" high 30" wide and 20" deep.

The last part was the table, it has no built in drawers or other features it is just a big fat table it is 36" wide 48" long and 30" tall. I put a curved cut out in the front edge to give arm rest space. I also made this table really long so that I could have plenty of space (my computer monitor got the rest of the table). The table also has cut outs in the top for cables to run through.

Everything was made from 3/4" MDF (medium density fiber-board) and 1/2" plywood. The front of the table is made up of three laminated sheets of MDF. Laminated MDF also makes up the legs of the table.

I wanted to do a finish that would make it personal. School was back in session and I didn’t have much time to work on it during the week. (I also work at the college) The following weekend I started with a tinted primer coat and then a Plum colored latex on top of that. After that was complete I sponged on thinned out grey latex. On glossy computer paper I printed out a bunch of images and then glued them on top of the latex paint.

I was feeling really sick that weekend it took all my strength to finish the desk. I put a thick layer of epoxy resin over all the sides that had pictures on them and I sprayed a epoxy clear coat on the non imaged sides.

I enlisted my friend Bill to help me move the desk into my room; I was in a lot of pain when I lifted anything but the weather report looked like rain so I wanted to get it in the house. I was checked into the hospital the next day to be informed my appendix had ruptured a few days earlier. I went into emergency surgery and then spent two weeks in the hospital before going back to school.

Everything I own is heavy as anyone who has helped me move will tell you. I was hoping to make this project a little lighter. I used just over four sheets of MDF at 90lbs a sheet the total desk weighs approximately 360lbs. So much for friends...

I love the desk I could have bought a cheap desk from an office supply store for the same price as the materials for this one, but It wouldn’t be the same.