Tripod member DNeese asks:
I've been looking for a simple desk for my computer. All I need is a low, ergonomic surface to hold my keyboard, monitor, and CPU. All the models I've seen in stores have hutches and fancy storages spaces — which I don't need. I'm considering building one myself. Any advice for me? I only have a few tools and no carpentry experience, but would like to make this my first project.

Handy Girl Jennifer suggests:
This is a great first project, mainly because you are destined for success with very little frustration. Basically, you want to make a table, which — as you know — consists of a top and legs. Using trestles (self-supporting structures) is an easy leg system. Your hardware store has saw horses: These are extendable wood (and now durable plastic) trestles that are used to support carpentry or paint projects. But before you plop down your money, see if the height suits you as a desk. Measure a table that you find comfortable and compare the height to the horse. Remember to extend the horses before you measure. (They're shorter when extended.)

The table top can be lots of different things. Thick glass with beveled edges is really expensive but very fancy. A hollow core door from your hardware store is cheap and may even have a pre-cut hole — great for computer wires. Always look in the trash: Found lumber can be very charming. I am going through an MDF stage right now — it's like press board but way stronger and less rough. It doesn't warp at all, and comes in sheets like plywood. Speaking of which, some plywoods are really nice, such as Baltic birch, teak, and maple. They are a bit expensive, but so nice to look at every day. Remember, the lumber yard can make nice cuts for free so think about what dimensions you want. That part's up to you!

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