The816

I had been using the same $60 Best Buy particle board computer desk for the last decade. Since I spend way too many waking hours at my desk, I figured it was time to make myself a new one. I really liked this desk that I saw on Etsy and wanted to create something with the same industrial-ish look. So here’s what I came up with:

Here’s how it came together!

The main materials are just 3/4” MDF, hardwood oak flooring and fence post tubing. Pro tip: Swallow your pride and let someone help you load 4’x8’ sheets of MDF. Your back will thank you. Ow.

The first step was to cut the MDF to size and then create a hardwood floor on top of it. I don’t have an actual flooring nailer, so I just used my brad nailer and nailed through the tongue on the floor boards. It actually worked out pretty well. Each board is also glued in place. These suckers will not be going anywhere.

When all the flooring was in place, I trimmed off all the excess. It’s starting to look like a desk! Or a very tiny dance floor.

To conceal those ugly edges, I ripped some longer floor boards and used them to trim the desktop.

I created the upper desktop using the same method. I arranged the boards for the top in the opposite direction to create a cool visual effect. I spent a ton of time sanding these. After tearing through a billion sheets of sandpaper, it’s as smooth as one continuous piece of wood. It would be amazingly irritating to be able to feel any seams or joints, especially when trying to use a mouse.

The feet for the upper desktop were created from a stair railing that we took out of the house when we did the renovation. It’s been sitting in my garage for five years and I finally managed to find a good use for it.

The metal tube base was really easy. I cut the pipes to size and fitted them together with Kee Klamps. Each of the joints are secured with a set screw, so the desk can easy be broken down to move.

From there it was just a matter of stain, polyurethane and other finishing touches. I’m really happy with how it turned out. I’m currently working on a small table using this same technique. It was a good excuse to use up the leftover hardwood and, well, I just really like making things.

Thanks to my friend Tim of Round Tree Design for the consultation and tips!