Broomstick's WIP - Trestle Desk

broomstick

Hi everybody... this is a Weekend project to design the legs for a desk I have at home. The idea was to make a variation to the Canonical trestle desk like you can see here:

trstle desk - Cerca con Google

(www.google.it)

I'm thinking of having the legs produced (i already have the desk top), but I'd like to receive C&C from the community to know if:

1- you like the idea
2- you think it's usable and comfortable
3- you think the whole thing would collapse!
4- you know of a similar design I didn't know about (which would be really appreciated)

Version using an Imac

Version using a PC

Hope you like it and let me know!

Daniel

Wether it will collapse or not depends on how well it is constructed, and the materials used. I would be concerned that the thin desk top will start to sag in the middle.

I think the shelves in the back would be ackward to reach, and you might be better off making a single support unit for each side, with the rear shelves reached from the side, like thus:

pbacot

Hi,

Daniel has shown how the leg sections might be filled in with more walls to make them rigid, more like a box. Also the connection to the table top or a spanning support is important so that the whole assembly doesn't rack sideways. Most of the referenced desk pictures show some sort of bracing, as in splayed sawhorse legs. Either the supports are self bracing like a sawhorse or there is a rigid connection to the desk top, like Ikea desks that have a heavy duty steel support connected to the legs or legs with a flange (less effective).

Probably the computer cabinet is wide enough to give you your stability in this case.

Have fun.

Peter

honoluludesktop

Ditto on the table top thickness unless you are going to use a 3/4 inch slab of tempered glass, or similar stiff material. There are good reasons why the legs are recessed from the edge of tables (has to do with the way table tops are approached, stood in front of, and used). If you look carefully, even the "trestle's" are set back a little.

I think that access to the shelves will be difficult, and the concept is more for decorative then functional situations.

As for securing the legs, you could have holes drilled into the counter top, and using some nice stainless steel connectors, lock the table top to the legs. While it won't suddenly collapse, it may still wobble a bit when hit.

honoluludesktop

Having said all that, my own marginally functional table. It's off the floor with a 3 1/2" high by 2 1/2" recessed toe space, and the pullout probably needs a caster at its tip.