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    Fine Woodworking Project Guides

    Tables and Desks

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    Build a Standing Desk

    Shaker-inspired design is comfortable and practical.

    Author Headshot By Christian Becksvoort #257–Nov/Dec 2016 Issue
    the building of a stand up desk

    Synopsis: Chris Becksvoort’s not a sit-down type of guy, so it was inevitable he’d design himself a standing desk. This one has a slanted surface for drawing, a flat surface for a laptop, books, coffee mug, and other materials, a foot rail for comfort, and storage inside for office materials. The base is simple mortise-and-tenon construction and the desk box is dovetailed, with an interior gallery and drawer.

    The office corner of my shop wasn’t really an office. It had the file cabinet, the phone, a sound system, and a stool, but what it really needed was a desk. I’m not a sit-down kind of guy, and I’ve had my share of back issues. So I started exploring stand-up desks, since I’ve heard they can do wonders for your posture and productivity. Most of the ones made today have a flat surface of the appropriate height, but lacked…

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    Previous: Build a Curved-Front Desk Next: An Arts and Crafts Library Table

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    Comments

    1. User avater
      tbw | Oct 20, 2016 12:54pm | #1

      Hi Chris,
      Thanks for all the excellent instruction over the years.

      When I first saw the stand-up desk I figured the horizontal surface would lift off, (I thought the pencil groove was a finger grab hole), for more storage space beneath. Is there some reason you didn't make that space usable?

      Thanks Trent.

    2. Chas58 | Nov 01, 2016 10:22pm | #2

      Chris,
      I enjoyed the article and want to try my hand at building the desk for myself. I have unfortunately spent the last 40 minutes trying to purchase the plan and keep getting "can't locate this page". I am just going to give up and use the drawings in the magazine article. Thanks for a great article and good drawings.
      Chas.

      1. User avater FWW Editor
        BenStrano | Nov 02, 2016 01:44pm | #3

        Sorry about that Chas. The Taunton store is being ported over to a new website as we speak. Don't know where it went but I'll let you know when it's straightened out and we can send you a link.

    3. User avater
      JPTroy | Nov 19, 2016 02:57pm | #4

      I ordered the paper version of these plans quite a while ago and haven't seen any thing and I can't find anywhere on your site where I can check my orders.

      Thanks

      Joe

      1. User avater FWW Editor
        BenStrano | Nov 23, 2016 10:15am | #5

        JPTroy,

        Please contact our customer service line. They're on it with issues like this. Apologies.

    4. Stahlhelm | Dec 02, 2016 06:28pm | #6

      I have a similar issue. I ordered the paper plans for this project on 10/16/16 and have not received them. I used the Taunton store live chat on 11/29/16 and they were unable to give me any information on when I might see my order. Can you provide any information on when these plans will be delivered?

    5. user-6669077 | Jan 16, 2017 01:51pm | #7

      Did anyone ever resolve the issue with the plan? I called customer support, but they couldn't find the plan in their database. Has anyone that ordered the plan actually received it?

    6. DaveRichards | Jan 17, 2017 06:39am | #8

      There is a button labeled "Buy The Plan" right above the Comments button. It leads to this page: https://www.tauntonstore.com/shaker-inspired-standing-desk-6096.html and you can order either the Digital or Printed version of the plan.

    7. user-2449878 | Apr 14, 2017 02:54am | #9

      your email featuring this project shows a video. Clicking on the video brings us to a trial subscription. Nice, except I am already a member. So, where is the video? Yes, I know, under the videos, but, where in the video section?

    8. User avater
      ChasStanford | May 21, 2017 09:16am | #10

      A poster, above, makes a good point about the wasted space on the right-hand side of the desk where the pencil groove is cut. Certainly doesn't seem congruent with the Shaker ethic. An easy enough design change to make for subsequent craftsmen, but a little disappointing nevertheless.

    9. looie1 | Oct 19, 2018 09:34pm | #11

      One of CB's design requirements was that the desk had to be built to his height and he suggests the need to "tweak" the dimensions to suit whoever else might build the desk.

      Well how tall is he? I am 5' 4" and am guessing that he is not !

      It would be helpful to know CB's height so I can make the tweak...please advise. Looie Ontario Canada

    10. user-7727072 | Jul 04, 2020 03:44pm | #12

      The link to buy the plans is still broken.

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    Tables and Desks

    Tables and Desks

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