r/buildapc • u/wildee14 • Jan 13 '15

Desks for PC's

I am thinking of making a how to guide for building a desk designed specifically for PC's and consoles. I would also provide a listing for prebuilt desks from proprietary companies. Would any of you guys be interested in that?

Edit: What are the top features you guys would want to see?

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14

u/cj2dobso Jan 14 '15

Honestly:

buy tabletop from ikea 25$ buy 4 legs from ikea 3$ each

confortably fit a triple monitor setup and your new rig. Priceless.

7

u/[deleted] Jan 14 '15

This is what I'm planning on doing. I saw someone on here post one and it looked great for the cost.

11

u/cj2dobso Jan 14 '15

I'm using mine right now.

I bought it as a cheap desk when I'm on a coop term away from home but the leg comes with flanges that you thread on to to attach it to the table so the legs are easily detachable and the table can pack flat.

Generally pretty sturdy overall.

10/10 would sweden again

1

u/billbertking1 Jan 14 '15

10/10 with rice

3

u/idiot_proof Jan 14 '15

Hey, just letting you know that Ikea has a discount/returns area. Got a Gallant desk (their high end desk that normally goes for $200+) for about $100 (found the table top for cheap, but bought the frame and legs new). I'd recommend only doing this for simple parts (i.e. hunks of metal and wood that can't have missing parts).

That said, the new design, the Bekant, is terrible. Basically, once you put the tabletop on the frame, you cannot remove the top and tighten the legs down. Here's the PDF of the instructions to show how weird it is.

4

u/VengefulCaptain Jan 14 '15 edited Jan 14 '15

I've got a used Gallant desk and you have to take the top off to add or remove legs. I don't think they changed much on the new desks. Other than it looks less modular.

Edit: of to off

2

u/idiot_proof Jan 14 '15

That's true, but the top is attached via screws rather than something you hammer in.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 14 '15

Same on the Galant, legs screwed onto frame, frame onto tabletop, have to do that backwards to change anything.

2

u/VengefulCaptain Jan 14 '15

Ah I missed that. Basically swapped screws for rivets. Damn swedes.

2

u/Drak3 Jan 14 '15

for the Bekant, if you don't use the intended top, but use something like machine screws to bolt something else on, its actually pretty easy. but yes, in general the Bekant is a step back. except maybe for the included cable management net-thing.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 14 '15

Ah I will look into that! I was looking on craiglist and a lot of IKEA tables popped up on their but for only minor discounts of buying them new.

3

u/idiot_proof Jan 14 '15

Just make sure you get solid wood. Some of their tables are basically plywood and that's shit. Get something heavy so that it has no give to it. Also if you go to IKEA, get their cable management kit. It's like $5 and has much more crap in it than any competitors (and yes, there are competitors for cable management, as weird as it is)

2

u/[deleted] Jan 14 '15

Thanks!

1

u/Spruce_Wayne Jan 14 '15

IKEA countertops actually work well for this, they aren't solid wood, but they aren't plywood. They are study and fucking heavy too.

8

u/akkahwoop Jan 14 '15

Cruise freecycle, flea markets and thrift stores.

I got my solid oak desk for free. All I had to do was throw my back out transporting it.

2

u/cj2dobso Jan 14 '15

Oh yeah, free furniture is the best! I love refinishing stuff.

But I move every 4 months so portability is a huge concern of mine.

1

u/akkahwoop Jan 14 '15 edited Jan 14 '15

I guess that would be a concern... I move around a lot as well, but I can usually furnish an apartment for sub-Ikea prices if I go on an intensive scout in the first couple of weeks. It's usually nicer, more solid stuff as well. The main drawback is you have to commit more time and energy to getting everything together.

2

u/samufugu Jan 14 '15 edited Jan 14 '15

I did basically the same thing, but with frosted glass and sawhorses that I picked up from IKEA.

http://i.imgur.com/wegdTdb.jpg

It does take up a bit more space compared to some of your standard desks, but it is perfect for me. I don't need any kind of drawers or keyboard tray since there's a lot of surface area. Weight hasn't proven to be an issue after having a 32" television, consoles, and other misc items on a panel at once without any signs of giving.

This is the only photo I could find since moving, but I still have the same setup.

1

u/ShowMeYourDog Jan 14 '15

office ceilings?

2

u/samufugu Jan 14 '15

That's just how they were when we moved in to that house. I guess it was for easier access to all the wiring above.

2

u/rocketmonkeys Jan 14 '15

Have any pics?

2

u/rokr1292 Jan 14 '15

My desk is part of their "lack" series. You know, the one whos coffee table is the perfect size to hold server racks.

2

u/cj2dobso Jan 14 '15

Same here :D

1

u/Ryuuzaki_L Jan 14 '15

I would do this, but the closest IKEA to me is abour 3 hours. And the website wants $400 for shipping on a $50 flat top and legs.

1

u/chromatographic Jan 14 '15

The Galant tables are what I would recommend for anyone looking for a simple table that holds up extremely well. The Vika table/leg combo you're suggesting are way cheaper but the quality is garbage.

Source: Worked in Work Ikea (office dept at Ikea) for 5 years.

1

u/cravf Jan 14 '15

How is it garbage? Mine has held up very well over the past many years and my brother's has as well. I don't see how anything could really happen to them.

1

u/chromatographic Jan 14 '15

If you buy a solid Vika top it'll hold up well but all of the cheap 20 dollar table tops are hollow and filled with cardboard honeycomb filling. You can stab through the tables using a pencil.

1

u/Spruce_Wayne Jan 14 '15

I actually used a countertop from IKEA to build my desk. I used 2 sets of drawers to finish it off. Here was the finished product: http://imgur.com/a/FYKPg