Wood Computer Table

This instructable will show you how to make your own computer table out of a couple of two by fours and a 1x12 board. I needed a good stable work table to use for my computer and this is what I came up with. This is my first major woodworking project, but its quite simple so long as your able to use a specific number off tools.

-Drop Saw or Radial Arm Saw
-Electric Drill
-Hammer
-Wood glue(not really a tool, but you should use some)
-Clamps
-Sandpaper

You will also need about 15 feet of 2x4 wood, and whatever type of wood you want for your table top.  I used 1x12 wood and joined two pieces together at the top.  This project took a few hours after school and cost nothing, as i had the materials in my basement.

Step 1: Design and Concept

My first step involved drawing up a skech of what i wanted on some paper.  I then drew it up in Google Sketch up, a free 3D drafting software package.  The Dimension are pictured in some of the extra photos and ill tag them just to make sure there legible, but they can be modified.  My table is a bit high, because i have a tall computer chair.

Comments

[SIRJAMES09]

now maybe I'm crazy but what about mortise & tendon(or is it tenon?) joints?

Whatever they are called, I have used them a lot when building stuff... never had any problems with them as far as strength goes....

Or maybe that's over kill for this project....

As I said B4, I don't know a lot about woodworking, I just fumble thru till I get it right...or get it good enough to suit me.

Having said that tho, I like this ible...gives me ideas for the future. :)

TY for sharing Sir.

[BIGDaddy504]

I don't want to sound Negative, but this 45 degree joint is where your table is going to fail sometime down the line. Its going to act like a pivot point, when u add any kind of weight to the top its going to want yield. I guess your gonna try Screws since the Nails would pull out eventually. Glue is great to hold together, but there is to much Tension against that joint that will either crack the wood, or snap the screws. I would recommend making the base supports like a "T" instead of an "L" that way the Shear Load is evenly Spread out. Overall your design is nice and simple. Ow yea i am a Mechanical / Structural Draftsman.

[SIRJAMES09]

I was wondering about that myself....
all the degrees I got were Screw U.....LOL

No Offense Sir. but the college of hard knocks is a great but painful teacher.

I won't even try to proclaim that I know a lot about wood working but I don't think them 45's are too great for anything stress related....even if you reinforce them with a piece of plywood, you would just be prolonging the inevitable.

[paint3all]

Yeah, I see where your coming from. I used screws for the intersection and just put some wood glue in as well, and I considered adding more structural support there, so i may go ahead and do that, Thanks for the advice!

[Nostalgic Guy]

I would suggest a cross lap joint at the base with a few inches of timber to the rear of the desk for stability, either glued & doweled if you are confident & you have the equipment to do it or glued & screwed.

To be honest I would also do the same at the top of the frame, butt joints are not the strongest things in the world & in my experience any desk should be built to bear at least five times the weight you expect it to & will ALWAYS be either sat on or leaned against heavily.

If you are not familiar with lap joints you will find a simple explanation here:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lap_joint

[BIGDaddy504]

No problem i have had many designs that had a flaw or two, but Other people helped with Constructive advice and made my projects work. I have a bunch of new Instructables i need to post guess I've been lazy.

[Tupulov]

Good starting idea. With a few modifications this could be strengthened and turned into a drafting tabler. Good work.