$55 Fancy X Desk
August 27, 2012 |
27 Comments
posted by Ana White
PDF versionFree plans to build a Fancy X Desk with just $55 in building materials!
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Projects built from this plan. Thank you for submitting brag posts, it's appreciated by all!
About Project
Dimensions
Dimensions:
Dimensions:
Dimensions are shown above. Materials and Tools
Shopping List:
5 – 2x4 @ 8 feet long
1 – 1x4 @ 8 feet long
2 – 2x12 @ 6 feet long OR 4 – 2x6 @ 6 feet long
2 ½” wood screws for countersinking
2 ½” PH screws
Tools:
measuring tape
square
pencil
safety glasses
hearing protection
drill
compound miter saw
sander
countersink drill bit
Cut List
Cut List:
2 – 2x4 @ 20”
4 – 1x4 @ 18”
8 – 2x4 @ 10 ¾” (long point to long point, both ends cut NOT parallel at 45 degrees off square)
4 – 2x4 @ 21” ¾” (long point to long point, both ends cut NOT parallel at 45 degrees off square)
4 – 2x4 @ 21”
4 – 1x4 @ 3 ½”
3 – 2x4 @ 59”
2 – 2x4 @ 30 3/8” ¾” (long point to short point, both ends cut parallel at 45 degrees off square)
2 – 2x12 @ 72” OR 4 2x6 @ 72”
General Instructions
Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Step 1
Start off by making two giant Is.
Step 2
And then add the bracing with the countersink bit.
Step 3
Followed by the top and bottom, ends mitered.
Step 4
And then an easy step, just glue and screw the 2x4s on top. It's the stacking that makes these legs so beautiful!
Step 5
And then the feet.
TIP: If you desk wobbles at all, just add cork pads under the feet.
Step 6
Now it's starting to look like a desk!
Step 7
Now add the cross bracing ...
Step 8
And finally the top! If you are using pocket holes, I recommend building top first, and then attaching top to base. Also, you could substitute out plywood for the top for a smoother writing surface.
Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions:
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.
It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
May I Suggest a Finish?
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clips
Wow.
I really love this one . . . I wonder if a set of square 3.5" "bun" feet would push this over the top to astounding. I LOVE it as it is, though.
(Like maybe some of these? http://www.osbornewood.com/Square-Feet.cfm)
It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. -- W. Edwards Deming
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lovely!
I loooove this plan! I am needing a craft table and this would look perfect! If I wanted to increase the height to make it more appropriate for crafting use would I increase the height of the cross bars and legs by the same measurement?
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The more I think about
The more I think about it...it would end up widening the table as well :(
At a glance, I think you
At a glance, I think you could adjust the height of the center straight 2x4 on the end, then cut your angled 2x4's accordingly, without widening your base. You will need mitre saw. Good luck!
clips
That's it!!! My anniversary present to hubbster!
I'm buying the materials TODAY and starting on this. I'm not even joking. This is PERFECT! I've been trying to modify the Rustic X console into a computer table but it just wasn't looking right.
This is bang-on. Way to go ladies!
Great Lathe Stand as well.
Great plan Ana, i plan to make this one as a stand for an old Lathe i was recently been given, if i thicken everything up it should be stable i think.
clips
question... I don't get the measurement here
"2 – 2x4 @ 30 3/8” ¾” (long point to short point,..."
30 3/8" at parallel 45deg I get... but what's the 3/4" long to short point?
(see, I wasn't kidding... I'm cutting right now! LOL)
clips
How to Attach Top
I have now found my Labor Day Weekend project! And just in time to be completed for this semester's first round of tests!
But I did have one question, what would be the best way to attach the top? I have a pocket hole kit - I would obviously use that to attach the table top pieces together, so would I add pocket holes to the inside of the top piece attached in step 4?
posted by The-Crafty-Cowgirl | on Tue, 2012-08-28 20:23
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note... might want to get 1 extra 2x4
I'm not sure if it's because I am not advanced enough in my cut planning but I ran short of 2x4. I got one more to cover what's left.
Also, for the Canadians reading this, as always make sure you adjust the plans for your local dimensions. Our studs are not the same dims as in the USA.
I finished a dry-fitting assembly of mine (minus the back cross supports whose dimensions I haven't yet worked out) and it built very well.
I had to go with 2x6s for the top and some of them worped by the time I got to them. other than a planer does anyone have any ideas on how I could straighten them?
clips
Flattening warped boards
You could buy a power planer for four or five hundred dollars, but a jack plane can be picked up for a hundred or two hundred dollars new, and significantly less used. There are lots of good articles and videos out there on using hand planes to flatten boards.
Be warned that you'll also need to learn to sharpen a plane blade, which won't ship to you properly sharpened for board flattening. It's not hard, and I was able to pick up a good oil stone sharpening set at Lowes for less than $30.
Once you learn to use a plane you'll be very glad about the new things you can do.
UPDATE: yesterday afternoon I had a chance to check out Mastering Hand Tools DVD. The price is really good, and the section on the Jack Plane (a.k.a. world's widest jointer) has everything you need about how to flatten boards, including show to sharpen the plane properly.
posted by claydowling | on Fri, 2012-08-31 07:04
According to the cut list,
According to the cut list, there are 4- 2x4's cut at 21 3/4 long point to long point, but according to the drawing of how the desk is built, those pieces should be just 21" I think. I am building it right now, and it's not working out just right because of that. I'll need to go do some recutting.
Love the table!
I actually made myself the original plans but had shorten it a bit and used 4 2x8's for the top and moved the brace towards the back, and am using it in my office (30" deep). Love how the top was reinforced with an extra 2x4, that's what missing on mine.
Also, I attached everything together using metal corner type braces so I can take everything apart easily since it doesn't fit through my doorwar or hallway to the office. I know PH's would have worked well for this too, but figured the holes from screws/brackets would be less visible than PH's since everything is cheapo studs stained to a beautiful walnut!
Love your work Ana, keep them coming :) [Soon I'll have an Ana White house lol]
Love this desk!
I was planning to build the Sawhorse Desk for my daughter's room renovation, but this has much cleaner lines and will grow with her better. Any ideas how to adjust the back angle brackets if I make the desk only 48" wide? I can adjust the angle, I'm just not sure that would look best...
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Keep the angle?
I like the angle that's there. How about keeping the angle the same and just adding a pair of uprights? In my mind it looks great, but of course, my mind is a weird little place. Before you build it, try a drawing, because it's not like I've actually tried this.
posted by claydowling | on Wed, 2012-09-05 20:49
Angles!
I know, I really like the look as it is - I'll definitely draw it out first, but I think I might end up with a 3rd X for the back. Wish I had more room to build it as specified, but for a small bedroom space is tight.
Love it! I built it this
Love it! I built it this weekend... The only issue with the original plan is that "4 – 2x4 @ 21” ¾” (long point to long point, both ends cut NOT parallel at 45 degrees off square)" needs to be 21" not 21 3/4"
It came out great though!! Thanks!
Do you think it would be
Do you think it would be possible to widen the table top by 5-10" without compromising the stability?
6, 2x4 are needed
You need 6, 2x4x8. If you add up the 2x4 material list your still way to short with 5 of them
6, 2x4 are needed
You need 6, 2x4x8. If you add up the 2x4 material list your still way to short with 5 of them
Hi, I like this plan very
Hi,
I like this plan very much. But I wonder if using 2x2's in place of the 2x4's would suffice and be strong enough? Any thoughts?
$55 Fancy X Desk
I am using to 2x12s for the top. The plan only shows two 2x4s for the top support. One 2x4 is shown at the rear with a 1 1/2" inset. Should the other 2x4 be at the rear of the front 2x12?
Also, how are the 2x12s attached at the sides.
Thanks
Slight Modification
I needed a large computer/drawing table with lots of surface so I swiped you leg/base design for this and substituted an old hollow-core door as the desktop and trimmed its sides out with some doorstop to give it a nicer edge and more finished look and to cover the slight indentations from the the hinge cutouts. Also the hole from the doorknob is ideal for feeding cords through. The leg dimensions needed to be altered slightly to fit the wider top and some more center structure was added to support any weight. Huge thanks for the design and inspiration!
I find my self having to make
I find my self having to make a lot of changes to the plans. I know this could be due the nature of how construction grade lumber is cut, but sometimes it seems really off, oh well it could just be me :-P but thank you so much for your effort. This will be the 2nd plan I build for my wife! Hopefully I can get some good pictures of both soon! Thank you again!
Can i easily shorten this desk?
I LOVE this desk, but it is going into space that is 60" wide. Will it be easy to shorten it from 72" to 60" without much of a problem? (I realize the cross bracing lengths and the boards connecting the sides will need to be sized down -- does anyone have any suggestions for doing that easily?) This will be my first build, so I'm seeking input before I start next week! Thanks so much!
I LOVE this desk! My husband
I LOVE this desk! My husband built me the Fancy X table and benches for our dining room and this is the perfect style desk for my craft room! This site rocks! Thank you for the great plans!
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Here is a link to my brag
Here is a link to my brag post for this plan! If I can do this, YOU TOTALLY CAN!!
http://ana-white.com/2013/01/my-first-build-55-fancy-x-desk
posted by AlyssaWalters6 | on Mon, 2013-01-07 15:31
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