I bought a really crappy pressboard computer desk for $8 at a local thrift store with the idea that I’d replace the pressboard with pallet wood and keep the nice metal frame
. And that’s just what I did. I’m not sure what kind of wood this is, it’s reddish and really heavy.
This was very much a design-as-I-go-along kind of project, I didn’t have a solid plan before starting. After making the top, I decided to ditch the flimsy keyboard tray and make a proper drawer. If I had known I would do that, I probably would have made the top a bit differently, but the rudimentary track system that I made with notched 2×4’s seems to work perfectly.
The pictures don’t do this desk justice, it looks nicer in person. Finished with Tung Oil.
I just bought another computer desk with a platform for a monitor, keyboard tray, and integrated foot stool. I’m looking forward to converting that one. I’m waiting for a pallet to come along with extra special looking wood.