How to build a standing desk?

burhanr

Hi everyone!

I'd like a standing desk but would like to learn a bit of basic DIY along with it.

I have some questions regarding my plan and I welcome any advice that you can give me.

Here is the panel and desk frame I'm thinking of getting. I'll get the timber cutting service to cut it down to 1600x750mm, with various offcuts turned into a monitor riser and maybe a small desktop organiser.

Do I need to do anything for the "exposed" side of the panel due to cutting?
I'd like the panel to have a nice darker colour so I think I need to stain the panel.
- What product(s) do I need?
- Do I need to stain the underside of the desk?
I don't have a dedicated workshop, would these sawhorse suffice to hold up the panel for me to do the staining work
Any advice on transporting the panel? It should be around 25kg in weight so maybe this dolly would be ok?
Anything else that I am missing?

Thank you.

KatieC

Hi @burhanr,

First, let me extend a warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community! It is awesome you have joined and asked about DIYing your own standing desk.

Our resident DIY expert @EricL will be back online later this afternoon to assist but let me tag our fantastic Workshop members @Nham, @Marty_greenshed, and @Remarka6le to see if they have any suggestions. In the meantime, check out Top 10 most popular desk projects for some additional inspiration.

Katie

Remarka6le

Hey @burhanr ,

Standing desks are a fun project, I've helped a couple of friends with their own so here's my two cents.

Your Panel and Desk Frame are good. Personally, I've enjoyed working with Ikeas Karlby worktops, they're a popular desk choice in Europe and make fantastic, thick, sit/stand alternatives (they're also great for making an indent into the desk itself to mount the electronics panel, rather than having it hang out), but I understand they're not for everyone, so:

When it comes to the exposed side of the panel, you definitely want to sand it down to smooth out any rough edges. This will help you achieve a cleaner finish and ensure that the wood soaks up any stain you apply better.
If you can find a Panel that is the colour you are after, that would be your best option (eliminating the need to stain), but I find a lot of help going in with either a physical example of the colour, or an image on my phone, to a member in the paint isle while also showing the piece of wood I'll be using it on. They'll be able to recommend Stain, how much you need to use, best wipes to use and best drying methods.
- Remember staining can get messy, make sure you protect your work area and wear appropriate safety gear.
Staining the underside of the desk isn't really necessary, you barely ever see it, but applying a clear coat of finish is a good idea to protect the wood to make it last longer.
Those sawhorses you linked to should be fine for holding up the panel while you're staining it. Just make sure they're stable and level to avoid any accidents. You could also consider clamping the panel to the sawhorses for added stability.
Moving the panel can be a bit of a challenge, I'm always an advocate of two, three or even four people moving around long, heavy objects but that dolly you've found should work just fine. Just make sure to secure it properly to avoid any damage, and even still, try to have someone with you to help guide the piece around and on the chance that an accident happens, better to be safe than sorry.
Something you should consider for a nice clean build is cable management. I find a lot of the frames made available for DIY-ers lack an appropriate space (or amount of space) for this. Bunnings have a good selection available, but I'm an advocate for Ikeas signum cable holders, you just install them under a desk. If you have a lot of electronics going up there, you could also consider mounting a permanent powerboard on the underside with the cable (or extension lead) with appropriate slack in either the inside of one of the leg covers or using stick on cable clamps on the outside of the leg covers running down the hidden side of the leg.

You've got a solid plan and seem to have thought through the important details. Good luck with your DIY project, I look forward to seeing how you progress with this!

Remarka6le

burhanr

Hi @Remarka6le

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this super helpful reply.

I've looked into Karlby but realised I needed something with more depth, 750mm, as my PC monitor will be a 42" TV that I bought after too much OzBargain. I was going to go for this panel initially, but I think the teak is a superior choice. I'll follow your advice on being careful with moving stuff, will ask a mate but also buy a pull tie strap to help make it stay upright on the dolly.

Some follow up questions:

When you mention "clear coat of finish", is it something like this? And do I need to apply this to the rest of the desk top once I've done the staining?
Cable management is something that was on my mind as well. Would you recommend me getting a holesaw and cable grommets as well? I did a basic woodworking course and sort of recall that hardwood such as teak is a bit harder to work on and I might cause damage doing this.
Sort of in the realm of cable management, I was thinking of mounting a shelf underneath the desk using one of the offcuts and two of these bent into a U shape. Do you think this is a good idea, or the weight of the shelf might rip the underdesk surface it's mounted on?

Thanks again

EricL

Hello @burhanr

Thank you for sharing your question about building your own standing desk. It's great that you've received detailed advice from @Remarka6le. Just to add to the suggestions already made, I recommend writing down a to do list, in this manner, your time in the store will be very organized.

Please note that due to the nature of the Teak Panel and the roughness of the shop saws, the store will not be able to cut your 900mm panel. However, there are two options available to you.

First, I suggest having a look at the timber panels at 1800mm x 600mm. A little bit smaller than the 750mm but will still work with your desk frame. The maximum width extension of your desk frame is around 1700mm which means that the smaller panel will still fit width wise. It will be easier to transport, and the panel can be lifted by a single person.

Second, you can attempt to cut the benchtop with a circular saw. The higher teeth count, smaller size and faster speed will prevent tear outs and damage from occurring while cutting it length wise.

In regards to the monitor riser and desktop organizer, you can get smaller panels of the same type.

It's up to you where you want to start, but I propose inspecting the timber panel first and taking pictures of it, then proceed to the paint department and looking at the stain and varnish sample board. I suggest speaking to the paint specialist and asking them about the varnish and the amount you'll need to cover the panel. The sawhorses you've chosen will be more than enough to hold the panel while you paint it.

It is best to paint or seal the entire benchtop front, back and sides to prevent moisture damage. Moisture damage will bend, warp or twist the entire benchtop.

If you decide to go with the SpecRite 2400 x 900mm 33mm Timber Panel Teak FJ Laminated. I suggest taking along a friend to help you lift the panel while you are at the store.

My best advice is to match the height of the screws to the thickness of the panel that you'll be using. This will prevent you from over drilling past the surface of the desk.

Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a paint mask while working on your desk.

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular desk projects

Here are some amazing desk projects our Workshop members have shared:

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Remarka6le

Hey @burhanr ,

Great to hear my previous response was helpful and I'm happy to answer any follow-up questions

When it comes to the clear coat of finish, the product you linked to looks good. I would apply it to top and edges of the desk after staining to protect the wood and so you don't just suddenly have a clear coat starting on one side, though it's completly up to you.
Cable management is probably the thing I recommend the most to people on Bunnings workshop 😂, definitely a good idea (especially with a 42" TV monitor). On my own desk, I used a 40mm hole saw AFTER I figured out where everything on my desk will be (I have 4 in total) with closable grommets for each, the cleanup really isn't that bad. I can't really comment on cutting into Teak though, sorry, but I don't see an issue forming.
Mounting a shelf underneath the desk using an offcut and brackets is doable, but it's important to make sure the weight is evenly distributed to avoid stressing the desk surface, or making it front heavy. If you can live without it, I'd go without it, and instead use the offcuts for things to place on top of the desk.

Remarka6le

burhanr

Thank you @EricL and @Remarka6le,

Yeah uh.. due to the teak panel not being able to cut to size in Bunnings this kinda threw my whole plan away, as I don't have the tools/means to cut it myself. The 750mm depth is essential for the desk being usable, plus after reading the helpful @MitchellMc article properly this time I just realised lengthways cutting was never possible either.

I'll do some more thinking for the time being, but I got pointers for staining, cable management and carrying heavy objects from you all in such a short time, and thank you very much for that

EricL

Hello @burhanr

It is still possible to build your desk at the 750mm size that you are after. If you are not keen on buying tools for yourself, I suggest posting the job on Hipages or Airtasker. My best suggestion is to put in as much detail as you can about what you want to cut in order to get an immediate response.

Once the handy person cuts your panel, you can then proceed to modify and assemble the rest of the table.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

burhanr

Hi @EricL,

Ah yes, didn't think of that. I've been looking up local timber shops/woodworker that does this. I'll see what hipages/Airtasker can give me.

This has to be the most helpful community i've ever been in, you all are amazing

Thanks again.