How to make a desk that fits two computers For $45

How I use a 15" hollow core door to make a desk.
This desk is long and skinny it would also work well for a sofa table, a sideboard, or craft table.
"I would like to add that we have since added a File cabinet in to the middle, this is not only great for the storage but it dose give the desk more stability so it doesn't shake when one of us pushes away from the desk."

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Step 1: Supplies needed

Supplies needed:
1 - Hollow core door I used a 15 " wide by 80 " long door you could use one as wide as 18"
4 - Balusters (stair spindles) I used 24" long ones
1- 2 X 4 ( you only need a small amount of this maybe a quarter so you can by or scrounge a smaller length)
8 - Screws 2 & 1/2 " long
4 - Leg plate kits (called a straight top plate)
4 - Double ended screws (one end threaded for wood) make sure they fit your plate kit.
1 - Pack of furniture pads
1 - long piece of molding to cover the front edge
Trim nails
sand paper

Tools used:
an electric drill
Drill bits and screw driver bits
a nail set
pliers or vicegrips
measuring tape
hammer
pen

apocalypticwolf says: Apr 15, 2009. 10:26 PM

omg that looks just like my room

Strawberryholt (author) in reply to apocalypticwolfJun 12, 2009. 2:30 PM

that is my dining room. there are 3 computers and one dining room table and two printers and two File cabinets.

Davidl3 in reply to StrawberryholtAug 20, 2010. 8:59 PM

You know there is a hard drive in that printer that saves a copy of every single file you copy right?

modernguy says: Apr 20, 2009. 11:12 AM

I'm looking for a 15" hollow core door but, not having any luck. Could you tell me where you got yours from?

Strawberryholt (author) in reply to modernguyJun 12, 2009. 2:28 PM

It is a bi fold door they are available from HomeDepo and Lowes as well as Menards But at Menards they can as a kit and you had to by two with the hardware. You can call ahead to that department and see want they have also ask if they have any scratched or dented that you can get a discount on.

dzenifr says: Jun 12, 2009. 10:43 AM

In case you don't have felt pads, I saw someone cut up a cork from a wine bottle and use the slices for the same purpose as the felt pads. :) Just, fyi.

butterbean says: Oct 24, 2008. 7:54 AM

A great place to buy a hollow core door -- if you're not too picky -- is Habitat ReStore. Yeah it needs to be refinished and yeah it's got a hole drilled where the handle was and yeah there are indents where the hinges were. BUT the hole becomes the "cord catcher"... it would need to be painted or stained anyhoo... the trim and long with a wee bit of wood putty will cover the indents... and it was only $2! Plus you're recycling and if you're lucky, that day they'll have some used balusters as well. I'd been looking for a little help with this project. Thanks for the great instructions.

Strawberryholt (author) in reply to butterbeanOct 24, 2008. 8:28 AM

Great Idea, the door knob hole could even be a drink holder.

butterbean in reply to StrawberryholtOct 25, 2008. 7:36 AM

LOL @ Strawberryholt. I guess it's about the right size to hold a small Starbucks? Or maybe a beer bottle?

shooby says: Oct 4, 2008. 11:29 AM

Nice job. I've been considering doing this to make a breakfast bar/computer station combination surface. Currently however, I'm thinking of using 3 milk crates stacked under each side, which will double as bookshelf space. the use of a hollow core door might be my solution for the top surface however.

Strawberryholt (author) in reply to shoobyOct 4, 2008. 1:59 PM

If you use the milk crates I would bolt them together (using large washers with hex bolts and nuts) for more stability of the crates. And use a band of nylon or thin metal strapping to fasten the top down to the crates

shooby in reply to StrawberryholtOct 4, 2008. 7:53 PM

Yep, that's the plan. Currently I have a 2 x 3 wide milk crate setup, with two 1 x6 pine clapboard lengths on top (two side by side are perfect for milk crates). They aren't fastened, but the unit is against a wall.

The breakfast-bar/desk I'm designing will be perpendicular to the wall, and will act as a room divider, for separating the kitchen from the rest in my studio apt. So if you're in the kitchen (ok, standing at the kitchenette) you can sit an eat, and if you're in the rest of the space, you can sit the other way and use the computer. The middle will be open, and I'll use a milk crate stool with casters, so you can just roll the stool underneath the desk depending on which side you want to sit at.

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It'll look like that, and I'll definitely have some bolts throughout for support.

shooby in reply to shoobyOct 4, 2008. 7:54 PM

hahah damn, font pictures never come out right.

shooby in reply to shoobyOct 4, 2008. 11:31 AM

Hmm, I didn't see that the door was 15", I thought you'd cut one in half longitudinally. Did you have the door already?

Strawberryholt (author) in reply to shoobyOct 4, 2008. 1:40 PM

No I bought it at Home Depot. It is a bi-fold door often used at a closet door. they run about $20 Sometimes you can get them cheaper if one side is damaged.

shooby in reply to StrawberryholtOct 4, 2008. 7:46 PM

Nice! Since you're a home depot frequenter, I have a tips for getting some useful items for free thee. If you go to the carpet section, usually they'll have a box/bin full of 5' black nylon straps with Velcro and a small buckle for fastening around rolls of carpet. If you're going to buy lumber, a bi-fold door, etc, you can grab a few of those, wrap them around, even if it's redundant, and use them for something else.