The Easy Woodworking Blog

It is hard to find an ergonomic computer desk for less than $600. However, if you build your own according to one website’s plan, it will cost about $350. While this is certainly not cheap, it is cheaper than buying one and will allow you the satisfaction of building and using your own desk. According to the Simplified Building Concepts website, a simple custom ergonomic computer desk can be built with medium-density fibreboard and aluminum fence post in about five steps.

The main materials of the desk are medium-density fibreboard (MDF) for the top, Kee Klamp fittings and fence post for the foundation, and an articulating keyboard adjustable unit for the keyboard tray. Other materials include primer and paint for the top and screws for the Kee Klamp fittings. While the look of the aluminum foundation may not appeal to everyone, it was chosen for the simplicity of construction and does give the desk a modern look. 

The construction of the desk can be divided into five steps. The first step is to draw a plan for the desktop according to how you want it to look and what space you have available. This can be done on graph paper. The next step is to cut the desktop out of the raw MDF material. This can be done with a circular saw and high quality jig saw if you have curves in the plan. The third step is to attach the Kee Klamp fittings and build the base. Building the foundation simply involves cutting the pipe and using an Allen wrench. 

The fourth and fifth steps are paining the desktop and adding the keyboard tray. Painting the MDF is essential because it swells very easily when wet and puts off dust if it is not painted. Painting involves the three steps of priming, painting, and finishing. The fifth and final major step is adding the adjustable keyboard unit by attaching the sliding track to the bottom of the desktop and the rest of the unit to the bottom of the keyboard tray that is cut out of MDF. This will create a smooth-functioning sliding ergonomic keyboard tray.

By following the steps described and pictured on the Simplified Building Concepts website, you can build your own ergonomic computer desk without buying one. It is a fairly easy woodworking project that will give you a large amount of use and satisfaction.