Computer desk questions

[radhak]

LOML's computer desk has been on my to-do list since the dinosaurs died, but now I think its time has come. She wants to work standing up, so am planning on one with 36" legs (so the top would be around 38" from the ground). We have tall chairs that the kids could use when they are at the computer.

Looking at the lumberjocks projects for inspiration, I found that some have created drawers that look like an apron but replace the front apron completely, like here. I think that begs the question : what about the strength the apron is supposed to give to the table? Whaddya say? Won't that make the table weaker? I do like the clean look it gives the table.

And while at that, anybody got suggestions on how I could build the table such as to hide most (if not all) of the wires/cables that go with a desktop computer? I have some ideas, just wanted to check yours.

[cabinetman]

The desks I've done haven't been a subject of deflection due to a lack of an apron. I just insert a slide out in lieu of an apron. Here is one you can make with common materials and door hinges. When the drawer front is raised it has the appearance of an apron.

As for cables, the keyboard cable can exit out the back of the drawer (leave enough for pull out). The tower stuff can be fed through desktop grommets, which are available in many types and colors.

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[LCHIEN]

going to a wider apron to have room for a drawer makes the apron stiffer. Definately stiffer on 3 sides, and having a hole cut won't weaken it much as long as there's enough material above and below the drawer (.5 to 3/4" minimum I would think).

Just don't make the apron so tall you can't get your knees (and maybe armrest) under it when using a nice desk chair.

[dbhost]

My computer desk, which is one of the things that inspired me to get into woodworking by the way, is a piece of junk particle board desk. The main section where the monitor rests bowed within 6 months of assembling it due to the weight of the monitor. Now mind you I had a Sun Microsystems 20 inch GDM20D10 on there (have I mentioned I am a UNIX guy?) and those things weigh a TON...

[radhak]

Thanks CM. Good to know it's not a very bad idea.

Loring, the last table I did had exactly as you described - came out fine. This time I wanted to do away with the front apron completely, and depend on the other aprons and maybe the stretcher at the bottom to keep it stiff.

DB, the one thing I have found consistently is that all store bought stuff that we have had, are not built for stress testing. I have realized that while self-built stuff may not be as cheap or quick, it will never have any strength issues.

[pelligrini]

The keyboard drawer like Cabinetman showed would be the way to go. Make sure you do it wide enough to accommodate a mousing area though. For added stability you can do a shallow apron support behind the fold up drawer front. A lot of it depends on what you're doing for the top and how its all fastened together. A full wood top will need to be able to move, but a plywood top could be fastened more rigidly. I'd use some dropleaf hinges on the drawer front so they would be flush with the worksurface.

Wireless keyboards and mice will help with a few cords. Even with a keyboard trey it's nice loosing the cords. I'm always hanging mine up on my keyboard trey at home.

Your height sounds good. One of my home desks and my workstation at the office are old Mayline drafting tables. They are about 38". I redid wide drawer front on my office workstation so it functions as a keyboard drawer. I just did a cutout rather than anything that folds down. The drawer is at the right height for a keyboard ergonomically.

A good way to conceal cables is to do bigger legs and make the back ones hollow to form a chase. You can get the cables up to the underside of the table concealed if you put the computer on the floor or stand.

I don't know if a new computer is an option, but my mom recently picked up a really neat dell Inspiron All-in-one. http://www.dell.com/content/topics/s...ref=lthp&s=dhs Wireless keyboard & mouse, touch screen, wifi etc. The only cable going to it is the power cable and a printer cable. There are ways to loose the printer cable too.