Building a desk, looking for ideas and suggestions.

[Upgrayedd]

I'll be building a wood top desk this winter with a carpenter.

1: I'll make it height adjustable, manual or motorized don't know yet. Manual Hydraulic like a chair?

2: I would like some extra depth than most desks. 30in deep. Maybe 36in. With width around 6ft.
How would you do the users' edge of the tabletop? Protuding curve, straight line edge, indented curve?

3: I'd like for it to have some storage space but I don't want a drawer under the table top, inside of the desk legs where the users legs would be, making the top extra thick in my leg area.

4: PC case integration: a spot to set a case. I've thought about this as an elevated platform under the desk, on the right side, inside or outside the desk legs I'm not sure yet. But also removable from the desk frame but still functional. I really don't think I want a desk where the pc is built into the tabletop.

5: What are some things you wish were different about your own desk? Things you wish it had or didn't have? Maybe a charging hub? Better placement of certain features or functions? How about building materials or wood styles? Built in under desk fans?

Any insight is appreciated.

 

[Shrek]

Can you afford solid Oak? I would soak the top with a diluted solution of polyurethane and then sand it down, so the surface is liquid proof without the hassle of chipped varnish.

I don't use the keyboard tray on mine, so I'd leave that out, and avoid things like built in charging hub or space for the PC; but definitely go for a deep desk.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Can you afford solid Oak? I would soak the top with a diluted solution of polyurethane and then sand it down, so the surface is liquid proof without the hassle of chipped varnish.

I don't use the keyboard tray on mine, so I'd leave that out, and avoid things like built in charging hub or space for the PC; but definitely go for a deep desk.

View attachment 369137

I like the poly soak idea. Definitely no kb tray. I like the drawers, just one though and more narrow.

Maybe I'll just make a totally separate mini stand for the PC, I just really don't like a computer on top of the desk and I don't want it on the bare floor or on something makeshift.
But you're right it probably shouldn't be apart of the desk itself.
Integrating any docking stuff would eventually become outdated too.

What do you think about integrating a headphone holder? I use wired headphones and have the excess wiring coiled and zip tied to my current desk, I don't mind this but I should put something for cable management.

Guess I need to look at more desks and see what I like and don't like about them and make a list.

 

[Shrek]

In my opinion a really good desk should be for the future, and that future probably includes wireless headphones. I don't have a problem with putting the computer on the floor under the desk, and the computer of the future may end up being a tiny box.

 

[Upgrayedd]

In my opinion a really good desk should be for the future, and that future probably includes wireless headphones. I don't have a problem with putting the computer on the floor under the desk, and the computer of the future may end up being a tiny box.

No fans or hydraulic lift for me, but I might work on the bar that goes under the table to support the desk legs and have it cut in the middle for one's own legs; assuming your carpenter has tools for that.

I was planning on having the back brace be able to act as a foot rest also.
I do want adjustable height but I don't want a motor. Either mechanical or hydraulic.

What's your opinion on the user's edge shape? I have a slight protruding edge currently. I've never sat at a desk with the cutout slightly so I just don't know if I'd like it or not.

 

[Shrek]

I deleted that suggestion as one could catch one's legs on it as one moves around.

 

[Lost_Troll]

I bought a Butcher Block countertop from a home supply store, it is 6 feet x 25 inches wide. For the legs, I bought them from Amazon and the whole thing cost me 310$ back about a year ago.

Countertop
Legs

The next thing I would like to add, is a set of draws like these. I used Linseed oil to seal the countertop and did 3 coats on all sides, and here is a pic of my setup as it sits right now.

 

[gurusmi]

I made mine on my own and a bit easy:

I took that plate: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00MRKJG3I?language=en_GB with a thickness of 50mm
and those feet: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BMM3X8R4?language=en_GB

I'd thrown away the provided screws and took some Spax ones. Lifting it around to have it standing on the feet was quite funny. The whole construction weight nearby 100kg. So i also bought an engine crane for the garage and appropriate stripes to get it lifted. The plate is made for a tools shop and so rocksolid. To prevent the liquid problematic i will buy a kind of transparent tablecloth of plastic and cut it to the needed size.

The whole construction is rock solid. "One can take a woman, sit her on the top and have sex. The lady might sqeak but not the table."

 

[boomheadshot8]

go to a local woodman, its cheap , got oak for 15€
2,2m x 17cm x5cm and 2mx4x4cm
rectified on 4 faces
you go to big shops it's 30€ 2mx4cmx4cm
I'm planning to build a drawer-pc
It will go under the table, in wood it's like a case but semi opened
Here the sketchup 3d