Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Ham desk - make it or buy it?  (Read 1242 times)

NO9E

  • Member
  • Posts: 1124
Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« on: February 01, 2022, 06:27:11 PM »

For my new shack I would like to have an L shaped desk with lower shelves for accessories. Is it better to make one from plywood or is there a good source of ready made desks? Ican make the shelves if needed.

I saw nice desks in a scandinavian furniture store years ago but the store is gone.

Ignacy, NO9E
Logged

K1FBI

  • Member
  • Posts: 1475
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2022, 06:39:04 PM »

Logged

W0ELH

  • Member
  • Posts: 10
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2022, 07:10:16 PM »

Greetings OM,
I have used 2 low file cabinets and a solid core unfinished door.  Available in various lengths and widths and can be found at Home Depot or Lowes.  Best of luck.
73, de Garry  W0ELH
Logged

W0CKI

  • Member
  • Posts: 637
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2022, 07:35:24 PM »

FBI,I like your style.
Garyw0cki
Logged

K6BRN

  • Member
  • Posts: 2231
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2022, 08:01:24 PM »

This one is nice:https://www.dutchcrafters.com/Amish-Office-Pro-Corner-Desk/p/55126

I've used one just like that (corner workstation/desk/solid back/overhead shelves).  Nice in concept, not so great in actual use.  The problems include: 1.  Access to control, power and coax wiring is difficult - open back desks with shelves on them ate MUCH easier to configure and maintain, 2.  Actual operating table depth - I like at least 28 inches of desk depth for equipment, monitors, keyboards, keys and mice, not to mention the odd auxiliary laptop or antenna analyzer I may pull out on the spur of the moment.  While the center section of a corner desk is pretty deep at the center - its a wedge, and narrows fast., 3.  Heat/ventilation - the overhang and solid rear block airflow to equipment and it can get pretty warm.

So the operating benches I've switched to are generally open on all four sides, 28 to 34 inches deep with shelves at least 12 inches deep.  Pick a rigid wood, like Oak or Maple, especially for the shelves, as they can be made thinner while still needing little center support.  Home Depot and other stores often sell solid Oak stair treads, which are ideal to make shelves out of.  Or you can have it custom made by an Amish supplier (had very good luck with that, too, but takes time and $).

The corner desk and cabinet combo has been donated to one of my sons for his home office.

Brian - K6BRN
Logged

KF4HR

  • Member
  • Posts: 223
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2022, 08:35:08 PM »

Much depends on the type of equipment you have, or plan to eventually buy.  If you own smaller equipment, such as an IC-7300, its shallow depth and small size will work fine on most commercially made desks, and still leave enough desk space in front of the equipment.  But if you own larger equipment, such as large transceivers or amplifiers (or plan to eventually buy larger equipment), odds are commercially made furiture will not provide you with necessary depth.  Personally I like to at least have at least one foot of desk space depth in front of the equipment for paperwork, keys, etc, and some of my equipment is over 20" deep.  Also as pointed out above, commercially made furniture probably will not have the necessary openings to run cabling, so you'd have to modify it.  The equipment bench I am currently building is 36" deep by 8' wide.  This desk depth provides 20 to 22" of depth for the equipment, and 14 to 16" of space in front of the equipment.  PM sent.
Logged

K1FBI

  • Member
  • Posts: 1475
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2022, 08:59:35 PM »

You can find desktop cable grommets (plain to fancy) at Home Depot. You can attach power strips to the underside of the desk. There are also many available cable management clip strips and channels to mount underneath the desk or house all your connections inside one of the cabinets.

As far as ventilation concerns, you can always break out the jig saw. There are many nice vent grills available or even fans.

If you're semi-brave and have a steady hand you can also create an opening to house deeper rigs. (Sort of like rack mount)

It is very doable. No need to reinvent the wheel. With very few minor modifications you can have a desk that looks good and is functional too.
Logged

K1FBI

  • Member
  • Posts: 1475
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2022, 09:00:21 PM »

FBI,I like your style.
Garyw0cki
Thanks Gary 😊
Logged

WX7Q

  • Member
  • Posts: 150
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2022, 09:02:44 PM »

Greetings OM,
I have used 2 low file cabinets and a solid core unfinished door.  Available in various lengths and widths and can be found at Home Depot or Lowes.  Best of luck.
73, de Garry  W0ELH

I like Garry's (W0ELH) idea. I have used that in the past. Then got married. That old design would not pass the "space allocation committee"  (XYL) approval. Went to a used office furniture  (Cherry wood) store. Got some matching  shelves. Open back shelves makes it easier. HTH

WX7Q
Jim
« Last Edit: February 01, 2022, 09:06:33 PM by WX7Q »
Logged

K1FBI

  • Member
  • Posts: 1475
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2022, 09:16:54 PM »

Greetings OM,
I have used 2 low file cabinets and a solid core unfinished door.  Available in various lengths and widths and can be found at Home Depot or Lowes.  Best of luck.
73, de Garry  W0ELH

I like Garry's (W0ELH) idea. I have used that in the past. Then got married. That old design would not pass the "space allocation committee"  (XYL) approval. Went to a used office furniture  (Cherry wood) store. Got some matching  shelves. Open back shelves makes it easier. HTH

WX7Q
Jim
True. Years back I bought a corner station I really liked and left the back panels off when I assembled it. Where the amp sat I used some hidden metal brackets for extra reinforcement.
Logged

K6YE

  • Member
  • Posts: 63
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2022, 10:10:17 PM »

Studio Desk or Studio Workstation are great options. Some are multi-level and there are options with wheels/casters.

Good luck in your quest.

Semper Fi,

Tommy - K6YE
DX IS and CW RULES
Logged

K4KRW

  • Member
  • Posts: 125
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2022, 03:55:22 AM »

I bought an executive size desk at a local cort furniture outlet.
They had 'used' desks that had been previously rented to businesses.
I ended up buying a new one though because the price was very low.
I just bought the shell (no drawers or shelves).
It has been very sturdy.  It also looks very nice.
The executive size gives you lots of room for radios and computers.
I have a FTDX101MP plus tuners, meters ....  Plus two monitors for the computer.

Richard -K4KRW
Logged

K3XR

  • Posts: 245
    • HomeURL
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2022, 04:27:42 AM »

We have a surplus building supply store in the area.  Purchased a surplus flush door (hollow core)for $5.00 and added laminate flooring with liquid nails for the top surface.  Two bathroom vanities with drawers and a storage compartment one for each end.  I think they were $20.00 each.  The laminate flooring adds considerable strength to the door. Pick the depth you want...30,32,36 inches.
The desk has been in use for over 15 years now and is loaded with gear. 
Logged

W4FID

  • Member
  • Posts: 376
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2022, 05:21:26 AM »

Not only the space in front of the equipment and the access to rear connections and wiring -- ALSO CONSIDER THE WEIGHT OF THE EQUIPMENT. A modern transceiver and maybe an antenna tuner -- no problem at all. A boat anchor station -- or an amp -- or a transformer power supply -- and weight may be an issue. The longer the span of the desktop the more it will warp and sag over time. Less expensive -- big box store -- furniture is intended for a laptop and the elbows of the person -- may not hold up well with bigger/older/heavier ham stuff.
Logged

K1KP

  • Member
  • Posts: 144
Re: Ham desk - make it or buy it?
« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2022, 05:29:35 AM »

If you build your own, you need to carefully consider the HEIGHT of the desk top. This is very important for good ergonomics using a keyboard, key, radio, etc. I custom built my ham room and wanted lots of cabinets for storage and a continuous counter top running around the room. The first impulse was to use premade kitchen cabinetry for the under counter storage; however kitchen counter height is set for working while standing, not sitting - it's too high for comfortable keyboard use. I was forced to custom build the cabinetry to get the height I wanted (I chose 28" from floor to countertop).

-Tony, K1KP
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up