DIY - Built-in Desk

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My last post about the mini-makeover done in this room was all about the wall design. You can check that post right here. Today, I'm giving you all the details about the desk, the built-in desk.

As I stated in the previous post, I've been using this room, the original dining room, as my office. Although, I kept a table as a desk and it also doubles as a dining table when having guests.

The built-in bench was the only item that was working for us in this configuration. I loved how it looked, but my kids didn't enjoy that bench for long. They felt trapped there. :D

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A few weeks ago, I uninstalled that bench.

It's so easy to remove stuff you've built. You know how everything was put in place.

With the bench gone, it was time to build a desk.

This is a long space for a long desk. Total dimensions: 70" x 5-3/4" x 18-3/4" Deep
You can find the desk plans right HERE which were my exact dimensions. More than likely your dimensions are different, but this is an easy build and it can be used as a guide.

1. BUILDING THE COUNTERTOP

The materials I used: 

• 2 - 1 x 10 @ 6 feet long pine boards
• 1 - 6' x 20" - 3/4" plywood
• 2 - 1 x 2 @ 6 feet long pine boards
• 1-1/4" Pocket hole screws
• 2-1/2" Pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4" wood screws
• 3-1/2 wood screws
• 1-1/2" brad nails
• Wood glue

I had to continue with the same design for the counter I built for the shelves on each side of this space. I also used the same 1-1/2" top-thickness. The other reason for using that chunky top is for strength. Something that long might begin sagging in no time if it's done with 3/4" material.

The first step was to drill 3/4" pocket holes on one side of one 1 x 10 x 6'

My RIDGID Combo Kit with Hammer Drill & Impact Driver was the tool for this project.

Add glue to the edge of both 1 x 10's, clamp them side by side and secure them together by driving 1-1/4" Kreg screws.

It's now time to put the plywood and pine, top board, together. Apply wood glue to both surfaces and drive plenty of 1-1/4" wood screws on the plywood side.

Not shown: Glue the 1 x 2 x 6 to one long rough side., that's going to be the front edge of your countertop. Drive a few 1-1/2" brad nails for a stronghold.

Trim to size using a circular saw and then drilled 1-1/2 pocket holes on both sides to connect it to the shelves.

Ryobi Circular Saw

Install the remaining 1 x 2 along the wall, driving 3-1/2" wood screws onto the studs on the wall.
The last step with the counter is to set it in place.

2. BUILDING THE DESK'S BASE

The materials I used:

• 2 - 1 x 3 @ 8 feet long pine boards
• 1 - 1 x 4 @ 6 feet long pine board
• 1-1/4" pocket screws
• Wood glue

For the desk's base, I used 1 x 3 material instead of a single piece of plywood to keep the structure light, preventing any sagging.

3/4" pocket holes were used for its entire construction.

I brought it to the room for a dry fit and it looked very OK. However, I didn't install it just yet. I decided to first build the drawers.

3. BUILDING THE DRAWERS

The materials I used:

• 1 - 1 x 4 @ 6' long pine board. (trimmed at 3-1/4") for the front of drawers.
• 1/2" plywood was used for the sides and back of drawers - 3-1/4"
• 1/4" plywood was used for the bottom of the drawers.
• 1-1/4 pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4" brad nails
• wood glue

The drawers are a simple box that I put together with pocket holes holding to the front and brad nails to the back.

The only new to me part was making the grooves that hold the bottom, using the table saw.

DeWalt Table Saw

You can skip this part and simply attach the bottom to each drawer with screws.

I build them mostly with 1/2 plywood and didn't use drawer slides because again, I didn't want them weighing too much.

Once the drawers were all done, I proceeded with the installation.

This part was tricky because I didn't have much space to fit the drill in. 

Thankfully, this DeWalt 90-degree drill attachment saved the day.

The same situation happened with this Ridgid Multi-Tool I used for opening a hole to bring the cables onto the bookcase.

Don't you love multi-tools? They're the tool you grab to get you out of trouble. This is not only a multi-tool, this is a system where you can change the head to easily swap out accessories.

Here on the desktop I also drilled holes for the cables to come down that way.

| Drill | Hole Saw |

4. FINISHING THE DESKTOP

One coat of Varathane White Wash wood stain was applied with a brush. After a couple of minutes, I wiped off the surface with a rag.

Once dry it was sanded and two coats of spray satin poly were applied to protect the wood.

I love it!! 

Like most of my projects, this is not perfect. As you can see here, the gap between the drawers is not consistent, but guess what? It works and that's what's most important to me.

I need to add drawer stoppers and pulls, there are so many choices, it's hard to pick only one.

Here again, are some final pictures with the wall design in place.

And here, are some of the tools that made this build possible:

RIDGID 18-Volt OCTANE Cordless Brushless Combo Kit with Hammer Drill, Impact Driver, (2) OCTANE Batteries, Charger

RIDGID 18-Volt OCTANE Cordless Brushless JobMax Multi-Tool with Tool-Free Head

RIDGID 18-Volt OCTANE Lithium-Ion Bluetooth 3.0 Ah and 6.0 Ah Battery Starter Kit with Charger.

DEWALT 33 in. Folding Portable Workbench

DEWALT MAX FIT Right Angle Magnetic Attachment

Kreg Jig Master System

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