DIY: Rolling Desk


While searching for new desks for the office I stumbled upon an amazing DIY idea,  a desk with locking wheels!  Seriously, imagine being able to move a desk anywhere in a room, just by releasing the caster locks.  The DIY dimension means that you can build a desk that is perfect for your working needs.  You can make the desktop as large as you want or out of whatever material you like.  You can also make the desk whatever height you want, making sure you have an ergonomic place to do your work or play.  The casters in this project are not rinky-dink plastic casters, these things are full-on industrial casters.  These make the desk roll amazingly well.

Structure for the Rolling Desk

Structure 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The structure for this desk uses a simple H pattern to support the bottom legs and then screws up into the top to support the desktop.  The casters for this desk go directly into the pipes.  There is a special rubber stopper that expands to keep the caster in place.

What You’ll Need For Your Rolling Desk

The structure for the desk is made out of pipe and Kee Klamp pipe fittings.  Kee Klamp is a kind of structural pipe fitting that you can find Right Here.  Here is a break down of the parts you’ll need:

  • (6) 10-6 Single Socket Tees – These will be used to tie the bracing pipes together.
  • (4) 61-6 Flanges – These will connect the pipes to the desktop.
  • (4) Casters – I would use a minimum of two braking casters, but that is up to you.
  • 1″ Gator Tube Pipe – Keep in mind that these dimensions will vary based on the size and height of your desk.
    • (4) 22″ – For the legs.
    • (2) 20″ – For the depth supports.
    • (1) 50″ – For the horizontal supports.
  • (1) Desktop

Cost: The fittings, pipe and casters for this desk will cost you around $230.  Throw in a $30 desktop from IKEA and you’ve got an amazing rolling desk for $260.  This won’t just be any desk either, the pipe fittings are built like  a tank, and it can easily be broken down for storage and transportation if needed.  Top that off with the fact that it looks cool and you just got the deal of the century.

Build the Base for the Desk

Building The Base

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Begin by using two of the 10-6 tees to connect the horizontal and depth support for the base.  Once you’ve done this secure the other four 10-6 tees to the ends of the depth pipes.  With this done, lay this big “H” support on the bottom of your desk to be sure that everything is the right size.  If everything looks good, then insert the leg pipes and place the flanges on the end of the leg pipes.  If you do this right, the flanges should be in the four corners of the desk.  When you’ve done this, you can slide the support “H” into place about 1/4 from the bottom of the legs.

Attach the Desktop

Attach the Desktop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To secure the desktop to this structure, simply screw through the flanges and into the desktop.  When you’re done with this part, you should have what looks like a finished table, with the exception that the ends of the leg pipes are exposed.

Attach the Casters

Attach the Casters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attaching the casters to the pipe is not as difficult as it might seem.  The first thing you want to do is hand tighten the rubber stopper so that it begins to bulge.  You want it to go into the pipe and yet have some resistance as you pt it into the pipe end.  Once you’ve inserted the caster into the pipe, use the bolt head to continue to tighten the caster (which will expand the rubber stopper further).  You want to keep tightening until you cannot pull the caster out of the end of the pipe.

Attach the Casters 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you’ve tightened the casters into the pipe, flip the desk onto the floor and get ready to work on wheels.

Final Adjustments and Tightening

Final Adjustments and Tightening

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After you flip the desk over, you’ll want to use a level and tape measure to ensure that you’ve got everything straight. The Kee Klamp fittings are easy to adjust. Simply loosen the set screw and you’ll be ready to adjust. Retighten the set screws to set the fitting in place. It’s a good idea to go over the entire desk and make sure all the set screws are good and tight.

After that, you should be well on your way to better work and study habits!

Final Project