Making a Desk from Scratch!

Written By Alexander Foisy

I’ll be the first to admit that the vast majority of my projects excite me, I wouldn’t have taken them on were that not the case. However, it must also be said that some excite me more than others. This is one such project.

Yes, I know, it’s not a ground up redesign of a societal social structure, nor is it inclined to spark activist revolutions. It may seem rather tame in comparison to my “grander” ambitions, but most of those aren’t achievable in the short term.

The truth is that most of my projects are long term, and as such will take years, or almost certainly decades before coming anywhere close to completion. This, on the other hand, this project can be done now!

So here’s where I’m at on this one. I want to design myself a desk, learn what’s required to build it, and over the course of several years tinker away until my first prototype is complete! Then, me being me, I’ll continue this task over my lifetime with god knows how many final iterations. All this in the goals of entertaining myself, creating a functional work station that is legitimately suited to my needs, but most importantly of all, I want a fun and creative challenge.

I have no experience with construction, or even standard design. I don’t really know where to begin, and that’s part of why I chose to do this project in just this way! I have no idea where to start, and so I must learn!!!

Before any actual construction begins, I must know what I want out of my desk.

  • Will I be using it to write, record, edit, game, watch content?

  • Do I want to incorporate odd or unique features?

  • What dimensions would suit my needs?

  • What’s my budget and time frame?

And so on. There’s many more questions I could list, but I feel it would be more appropriate to list my answers instead.

I want my desk to be equally capable of handling all manner of needs, whether we’re talking recording, writing, editing, gaming or viewing content.

I want it to host a variety of unique features not found in your typical 200$ desk, such as a water pump mechanism to deliver from a water tank under the desk into my designated water glass in the desk.

I’d like a built in groove for a tissue box. Have an integrated and removable trash bin with trash chute access. While I’m at it, build in a pencil sharpener that deposits directly into the trash bin.

I’d want a three monitor setup specifically arranged for my needs. That being a large central monitor with excellent graphics and processing speed. The right monitor would be somewhat smaller horizontal monitor to act as a second work screen during every day use or streams (out of screen capture view). My third on the left would be a long vertical monitor, often used for things like viewing stream chat, seeing a lengthy text document layed out and whatever else may peak my fancy.

It would have built into it two or more lights with extendable/positioning friendly arms for good recording. Speaking of recording, the first version will have a central webcam built into the desk under the large central monitor, with perhaps a second, more portable one affixed to the top and capable of mobility? We can’t forget recording mics either, so we’d add another extendable arm with a microphone this time. Perhaps collapsible to the side when not in use?

But let’s not forget, the devil is in the details.

  • A wire hanging frame under the desk to avoid wire monsters.

  • A small LED strip around certain borders connected to an on off switch (meaning some electronic work will be required)

  • A compartment that would hold and allow access to my PC tower and associated external drives (with good ventilation kept in mind)

  • A drawer and/or cabinet depending on available space, and I’m currently considering if adding a groove for a very mini mini-fridge is overkill. I think so

  • Speakers in or on the desk, a built in mug warmer on the spot where the water spout emerges, height adjustability for the desk, internal storage space within two elevations on the desk, charging spots for wired and wireless devices such as ear bud cases, smart watches, phones and headphones. I’d also be tempted to build into the desk a small clock that you can flip face down into the desk, almost like a pop up.

My point is, this wouldn’t be an ordinary desk. If I had this thing commissioned, it would set me back easily 10k. I figure I can make a project out of learning to build it myself for a third of the price over 3-5 years. I’m not in a hurry, I’m just very passionate and happy to take this on!

The following pictures are of my latest design, made two days ago. For those interested, this is in Journal #3, v.2, page 140-144.

Although the journals may not yet be public when you read this, they will be one day.

This following set of pictures is actually of the very first desk design I made. I had to look deep into my notebooks, going back several years. I believe other diagrams exist but couldn’t seem to find them on such short notice. The notebook this is in won’t be made public for a little while, and doesn’t even have an ID yet, so I won’t bother linking it.

In this version, I actually had a 4 monitor setup, a retractable under-desk keyboard and dual mouse pads and an over the desk “Cage” where I’d hang lights, headphones, pass wires and so forth.

The final version will probably be something in between. We’ll see.

Estimates

Time until completion: 2-3 years

Cost (computer not included): 3-5k

  • Monitors: 500-700

  • Diverse Electronics: 500

  • Primary Building Materials (Wood, Fixtures etc): 700-1k

  • Aesthetics (Lights, Paints etc): 300-500

  • Unknown: X

Thanks for taking the time to read :)

Alexander Foisy
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