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Building an L Shaped Desk

tromboneking | Posted in Construction Techniques on December 10, 2020 04:51pm

Looking to build an L shaped desk for work.
I’m looking at it holding two monitors, a laptop and some other smaller items that won’t weigh too much.  The laptop will be in the corner section with the monitors flanking it.  I won’t have a printer, at least at first, sitting on the desk but I’m thinking I may place that on the desk.

The long side will be 20 x 48 with the smaller side being 20 x 24.  The smaller side will be attached to the 20 x 48 piece by a bracket or something.  I’ll be using two pieces of wood and not cutting this out as once piece
I’m thinking the desk will be about 3/4 of an inch.  
I plan on placing 6 post legs…two on each side corner, one at the back corner, and then one right at the spot where the 20 x 24 meets the larger section to help make it sturdier.
I’ll be adding about a one inch rise on each of the legs to bring the desk up a little higher as the legs I was looking at was about 28 inches in height (add in the desk, it’ll be about 30 inches in total height).
I’m thinking of an additional two metal brackets, in addition to the one wood rise for the leg should hold the two desk pieces together but I’m thinking that this may be overkill.

Not sure how this looks in the forum, but this is the leg placement that I’m looking at.  Please note, that this is not to scale but this is the basic shape and leg placement.
______________
o                               o|
o   _____               o|
                      |           |
                      |o       o|

  
My questions are…
-Is 3/4″ going to be solid enough for everything or should I look for one inch plus in height for the desk top?
-What kind of wood should I get?  I was thinking a hardened/or finished plywood type
-I know that the two brackets joining the two parts together may be overkill and considering that I’ll be having one of the legs with the one inch rise right where they meet at the back of the desk, should I only need to put one bracket towards the front?
– I’m trying to do this on the cheap and with limited knowledge/access on power tools/carpentry work.  I have a drill with a hole saw (which will be used to drill holes for the cables) and screwdriver attachments but really not much else.  Am I biting too much for me to chew on this project with my current tools/knowledge?
-I know that you may not be able to really tell, based on the description, but is the planning sound?

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Replies

  1. User avater
    unclemike42 | Dec 10, 2020 05:30pm | #1

    I threw an interior door across a couple two drawer file cabinets and used it for my office for many years. it held up an office grade HP laser printer, an old style heavy glass face CRT monitor and old style PC with heavy parts.

    https://www.lowes.com/pd/Masonite-Traditional-Unfinished-Flush-Hollow-Core-Veneer-Slab-Door-Common-24-in-x-80-in-Actual-24-in-x-80-in/1000056089

    but they only come 24 inches, and you would have to cut the door and fix up the hollow parts, which would be a little tricky

    3/4 inch thick solid or plywood will be very heavy.

    You might want to look at ikea and see if they have something close to what you want.

  2. RyannRichard | Nov 23, 2022 09:06pm | #2

    I wish you had told us about your choice of desk. I’d be very grateful if you kept us updated about it. I’m currently looking for an L-shaped desk, too, actually. So, I’d appreciate your recommendations. I have 3 monitors, and I want this desk to be made of glass like the ones by Eureka Ergonomic . Actually, their desks are the only ones I like so far. Still, I’ll keep looking. I need more desk options to compare them, you know. Btw, it would also be cool if I could work standing at my future desk. I’ll be waiting for your replies, guys. Thanks in advance. https://eurekaergonomic.com/glass-desks/

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