Hey everyone! I'm living in a pretty cramped 550 sqft apartment with a tiny workspace of about 3m by 1.5m. I want to create a custom desk for my sewing machine because the IKEA desks I've tried are just too wobbly for my liking. I'm aiming for a size of 120 to 140 cm by 60 cm. The tools I have are a drill, a rotary tool, a 3D printer, and some wood glue. I don't have a car, which limits my options, and I've always been terrified of table saws, but thankfully, I don't think I'll need them for this project.
My idea is to order a 4x2' piece of 3/4" plywood from Home Depot for around 45-55 CAD, along with some 2x4" or two 1x4" boards glued together to use as legs. I was thinking of screwing them directly to the desk, and maybe even printing an adapter or an L bracket to attach them. This way, I would just need my drill, screws, and a pocket hole guide.
Also, I'm hoping Home Depot staff can cut the lumber for me. If they can't, do you think I'd be able to manage with a handsaw at home? I'm worried about creating dust and noise since I have neighbors below me, but I do have a balcony. I'm estimating the weight of a 2x4' plywood sheet and wondering if I can transport the legs via bus since they have free shipping for that sheet. I found premade metal legs online, but they're about 100 CAD and look flimsy.
Overall, does anyone think this project is doable in my situation? My total budget is 200 CAD, including shipping!
1 Answer
Honestly, you might want to consider just buying a desk instead of going the DIY route. Sure, it’s doable, but from what you’re describing, it sounds like it might end up being more trouble than it’s worth. I’ve had terrible experiences with budget legs from Amazon—they just don’t hold up! Maybe look for a solid tabletop and pair it with a sturdy base or even find a second-hand desk to save some hassle. IKEA desks aren’t perfect, but they definitely have some decent options.
I hear you on the wobbliness! They shouldn’t be that unstable. I wonder if going with a wider, sturdier leg setup would help you? If the idea of an IKEA desk feels like a fallback, you could also check out the Trotten or something. Just make sure you’re checking reviews for stability blindly making the same mistake! And definitely think about whether dust and noise will be an issue—those DIY projects can get messy!