DIY Network

Desk and Shelving Construction From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-611

With the assembly of the shelving unit and the construction of a custom-made desk, the space is coming together.

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Once the desk is standing with all legs attached and all attachments to the wall ledgers have been made, trim the edges with wood strips to cover the exposed plywood edge. Secure these strips with wood glue and a finish nailer.

Materials:

table saw
drill/driver
wood screws
finish nailer
wood glue
three-quarter inch plywood
wood stain
level
drill
3-inch wood screws
hammer
nails

Desk

1. Cut desktop to length following design (either 90 degrees or 45 degree ends).

2. Use 18-inch remaining strips and rip to two-inch widths.

3. Measure back of desktop and cut a strip to length.

4. Glue and finish nail back strip to underside of desktop.

5. Measure front of desktop and cut strip to length.

6. Glue and finish nail front strip to underside of desktop.

7. Repeat for sides of desk. You may need to miter your cuts if your desktop design includes 45 degree cuts.

Desk Supports

1. Put table saw blade on 45 degrees and rip 30-inch stock down to 27 inches wide.

2. Cut to 30-inch lengths, you will need two 30-inch long pieces for each vertical support in your design.

3. Glue and nail 30-inch pieces together so that the beveled edges are together creating vertical support.

4. With table saw blade still on 45 degrees, rip 18-inch stock down to 1.5 inches, beveling both sides of strip.

5. Glue and nail double-beveled strip onto front of vertical support.

6. Repeat steps for all vertical supports.

Attach Desk to Wall

1. Find the wall studs.

2. Attach ledgers to wall at your desired height.

3. Place desktop on the wall and measure and cut legs, paying attention to cut around any trim that is not removed from walls for a flush fit with the walls.

4. When adding a computer shelf, add supports for bottom shelf to the legs. Set shelf in place and secure with finish nails and wood glue.

To build actual shelves, use 18-inch or 30-inch stock and rip to 11 inches.

Shelving

1. Build shelving supports just as you did the desk supports, only taller (based on your design preference).

2. In this project, a 30-inch stock was cut down to two 12.5-inch by 8-inch strips, beveling one front side.

3. Cut two 12.5-inch strips for each vertical support required for your design.

4. Cut the strips about three inches shorter than ceiling height, about 93 inches for a typical 8-foot ceiling.

5. Glue pairs of 12.5-inch strips together, beveling edges in front, creating the vertical support.

6. With table saw still on a 45 degree angle, rip 18-inch stock down to 1.5-inch strip, beveling both sides.

7. Glue and nail double-beveled strip onto front of vertical support.

8. Repeat for all vertical supports.

9. Cut 11-inch shelves to length.

10. Use remaining stock to cut 1.5-inch strips, not beveled.

11. Glue strips to underside of shelf back.

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