Introduction
This build was inspired by my desire to get all my music gear organized and accessible. I designed this desk to have lots of surface area, and lots of space underneath to house a digital piano, amp, and other floor-bound musical gear. The desktop is spacious to accommodate a midi controller, computer peripherals, and plenty of additional space for papers and additional work space. It features a raised platform on the back of the desktop to ergonomically position my iMac and hold up my speakers.
I've also added a few custom bits to it. There's actually a hole offset from the middle of the desk, which I feed my microphone stand through. This way the mic comes up through the middle of the desk and can be centered between you, the computer monitor, and a piano. I added some hooks to the inside sides of the desk to hold various cables, wires, headphones, and other hangable accessories.
The desk is taller than most normal desks to accomodate my initial measurements of my piano and its stand. It turns out this desk could be lowered to a normal desk height (between 28 and 32"), and still fit my requirements. As it is now, the desk is best used at standing height. I use an adjustable stool to be able to sit at an appropriate height.
Materials
The following is a list of all the pieces involved in the build. As far as wood cuts go, you can make them yourself, or you can get the guys at Home Depot and/or Lowes to make the cuts for you. I prefer to do them myself, because even though I'm an amateur, my cuts always seem to be more accurate than theirs... plus, this leaves you more room for on-the-fly adjustments. All measurements are in inches.
- Back Supports (2x4x48) x2
- Inner Cross Supports (2x4x50) x4
- Legs (2x4x35.25) x4
- Sides (32x35.5x.5) x2
- Inner Sides (32x6x.5) x2
- Back Sides (6x70x.5) x2 (could be .75 thick too)
- Side Tops (4.5x32x.5) x2
- Table Top (32x70x.75)
- Upper Level (12x70x.75)
- Mini Legs (1x1x6) x 8
- Desktop Supports (2x4x60) x2
- 4 Angle Brackets with Screws
- 4 Bolts (3/8 x 16") with washers
- 3/4" Veneer Banding/Edging
Tools
As I mentioned earlier, you don't necessarily need a table saw, but you will need something to make the dado joints for the side pieces. The iron and exacto knife are for edging, and the jigsaw or router will be used to make the curved portion of the desktop.
- Table Saw (or you can trust Home Depot/Lowes to make your cuts)
- Power Drill with assortment of bits
- Jigsaw or Router
- Iron
- Xacto Knife
Shopping List
These are the raw materials you will need to get all the pieces listed above.
.5 in plywood 96" x 48" - Two Sides, back sides, inner sides
.75 in plywood 96" x 48" - Table Top, Upper Level
8ft 1x1 - for the tiny legs
12 2x4s
Veneer Banding/Edging
This build was inspired by my desire to get all my music gear organized and accessible. I designed this desk to have lots of surface area, and lots of space underneath to house a digital piano, amp, and other floor-bound musical gear. The desktop is spacious to accommodate a midi controller, computer peripherals, and plenty of additional space for papers and additional work space. It features a raised platform on the back of the desktop to ergonomically position my iMac and hold up my speakers.
I've also added a few custom bits to it. There's actually a hole offset from the middle of the desk, which I feed my microphone stand through. This way the mic comes up through the middle of the desk and can be centered between you, the computer monitor, and a piano. I added some hooks to the inside sides of the desk to hold various cables, wires, headphones, and other hangable accessories.
The desk is taller than most normal desks to accomodate my initial measurements of my piano and its stand. It turns out this desk could be lowered to a normal desk height (between 28 and 32"), and still fit my requirements. As it is now, the desk is best used at standing height. I use an adjustable stool to be able to sit at an appropriate height.
Materials
The following is a list of all the pieces involved in the build. As far as wood cuts go, you can make them yourself, or you can get the guys at Home Depot and/or Lowes to make the cuts for you. I prefer to do them myself, because even though I'm an amateur, my cuts always seem to be more accurate than theirs... plus, this leaves you more room for on-the-fly adjustments. All measurements are in inches.
- Back Supports (2x4x48) x2
- Inner Cross Supports (2x4x50) x4
- Legs (2x4x35.25) x4
- Sides (32x35.5x.5) x2
- Inner Sides (32x6x.5) x2
- Back Sides (6x70x.5) x2 (could be .75 thick too)
- Side Tops (4.5x32x.5) x2
- Table Top (32x70x.75)
- Upper Level (12x70x.75)
- Mini Legs (1x1x6) x 8
- Desktop Supports (2x4x60) x2
- 4 Angle Brackets with Screws
- 4 Bolts (3/8 x 16") with washers
- 3/4" Veneer Banding/Edging
Tools
As I mentioned earlier, you don't necessarily need a table saw, but you will need something to make the dado joints for the side pieces. The iron and exacto knife are for edging, and the jigsaw or router will be used to make the curved portion of the desktop.
- Table Saw (or you can trust Home Depot/Lowes to make your cuts)
- Power Drill with assortment of bits
- Jigsaw or Router
- Iron
- Xacto Knife
Shopping List
These are the raw materials you will need to get all the pieces listed above.
.5 in plywood 96" x 48" - Two Sides, back sides, inner sides
.75 in plywood 96" x 48" - Table Top, Upper Level
8ft 1x1 - for the tiny legs
12 2x4s
Veneer Banding/Edging
Music Desk Final.skp54 KB
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Signing UpStep 1: Building the Sides
Secure the Sides
Take your 32x35.25" piece of .5" plywood, and glue two 35.25" 2x4s to the long edge as pictured. The 2" side of the 2x4 will be flush against your plywood, and the 4" side will be sticking out, creating a leg for the desk. This will form the basic shape for one of the two side pieces that will support the desktop.
Use wood glue, and clamp dry. I like to use heavy duty clamps, as they are the most flexible and tend to fit any job. When the glue dries, you will want to further secure the 2x4s with screws. Use size 10, 2" wood screws and put two through each leg: one on top and one on bottom. Screw them about an inch from the ends.
Take your 32x35.25" piece of .5" plywood, and glue two 35.25" 2x4s to the long edge as pictured. The 2" side of the 2x4 will be flush against your plywood, and the 4" side will be sticking out, creating a leg for the desk. This will form the basic shape for one of the two side pieces that will support the desktop.
Use wood glue, and clamp dry. I like to use heavy duty clamps, as they are the most flexible and tend to fit any job. When the glue dries, you will want to further secure the 2x4s with screws. Use size 10, 2" wood screws and put two through each leg: one on top and one on bottom. Screw them about an inch from the ends.
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Seriously, that looks pretty good.
One thing I am considering is shelves set back from the front, as in DJ tables. This is typically for records, but one could use it to store boxes of cables and equipment, and the PC tower. You'd have to crawl under the table to access it, but for me it provides much-needed storage.
Great work!
I love it!!
=D
Perhaps a little change of color scheme and more consoles at the side for universal musicians would make this!
Still, Your Idea's brilliant!
=D