Quick Electric Sit-to-Stand Desk

Sitting at a desk all day can lead to poor posture, health problems, and back pain.  Unfortunately, electric sitting/standing desks are expensive.  So, I decided to build my own!

Step 1: Mounting Plates

With four linear actuators from eBay, I started by sketching the layout in Autodesk Inventor, found some appropriately wide scrap in the yard at the TechShop, and fabricated bracket blanks.

Step 2: Drilling Mounting Pattern

I wanted the brackets to be useful in a variety of ways, so I designed the layout carefully to allow for mounting at a variety of angles.  Wrote a bit of G-code and drilled out the patterns on the Tormach CNC mill.

Step 3: Table Frame

Used some leftover 80/20 aluminum extrusion to bolt together a quick table frame, then added the actuators using bolts and t-slot nuts.

Step 4: Wire the Motor Controller

I got a four port controller to go with the legs.  It keeps them in sync and prevents the table from getting misaligned or wrenched.

Step 5:

Unfortunately, I didn't check the motor travel of the linear actuators closely when I purchased them and they didn't lift high enough for me to stand comfortably.  TechShop to the rescue!  I purchased a set of furniture risers and using the mill, drilled holes to match the mounting holes on the bottom of the legs.

Step 6: Risers Attached

Bolted the risers to the legs.

Step 7: Stand and Deliver!

Added a Ikea tabletop and a monitor arm, and, BAM!, I'm ready to start working.

Oh, and in case it wasn't clear, I made it at the TechShop.

http://techshop.ws

Comments

[dsantil71]

Key components to an great instructable are listing the actual parts used, where purchased if known, tools used & specific steps taken. This helps others gets the optimal use out of your instructable which is what you want, right? Other than that great job!!

[unclebedhead]

you said you found the legs and controller on ebay. the info on model etc should be in your ebay history. could you post that info? having trouble finding similar parts. Thanks!

[Jadz11]

I agree with prior posters. We really appreciate the Instructable, but would be so kind as to provide more specifics about the materials? I'm sure many of us would like to see if it fits our budgets. Thanks!

[drmoses90]

Impressive! I'm sure the cost of this project was far less than what is commercially available, but I'm curious what it did cost you.

[Yonatan24]

Material and time, Probably...

[levancil]

what controller are you using?

[daveat]

great work one can also use wheelchair actuator and those can connect to a plethora of equipment!

[GeekTinker]

I'm with frugalguy. Your desk is amazing and this instructable shows what you've done, but you seem to have left out some key information about the electric part of the process.

[jtinst]

I'd need to take the table apart to find the model of the table legs, but I got them on eBay along with the control box. Not much to the electrical part besides plugging the connectors together. Sorry.

[frugalguy]

I would love it if you gave a little more about your bill of materials. For example, give a link to the actuators and their each price. Where did the legs come from and what did hey cost? If I try to build my own, that kind of info is critical.

Great job!!

[MR..]

This looks awesome! I'd love to see a video of it in action.