Parson Tower Desk

What Kreg Jig Did you get and where? Was it in Fbks? We could us this on some many things like tables and chairs and such. Looks like a nifty thing. What else have you used it on? Thanks

Tracyann, the Kreg Jig is for sale at Lowes, at least in the smaller size. I highly recommend the full size jig - totally worth it!

Kreg Jig at Lowes plus most 50 to 100 pack of screws 1 1/4" to 2 1/2" long can be found there. I also picked up an extra drill bit, and the bits to use on the screws there. They also have various clamps, wood plugs, etc. You can find it online there as well.

@Ana, for MDF, do you do any sort of sanding, or just apply a couple coats of primer (I use Killz or 123.. not sure if that is any good)? I have 4 sheets of 3/4" MDF and trying to figure out what to do with it. I was going to use it for the beds, but bought 1x12x8' pine boards instead. I am wondering if I can use the MDF for closet organizer sides, book shelfs, etc.. but fear that a closet or book shelf with a side of 4' to 8' in length will eventually sag. Any way to avoid MDF sagging? Like 1x2 trim, 1/4" plywood back panels, and such?

The desk looks great. I bought a gallon of polyurethane, semi-gloss. I am hoping a coat or two of that on MDF/Pine/Plywood will give it a nice shine and some extra strength.

#Correction add an 'r' to first image

OK. I'm in love. Would this work with a depth of 12 or 13"? I would love for this to be my entryway table!

I love it! It seems that you could make 3 desks out of one sheet of plywood, right? Of course as you have said previously the strips would be slightly less than 16" due to the width of the saw blade...

These last three plans have been brilliantly simple. THANK YOU!

is there any way possible to make this without the kreg jig?

This desk is really cool....but what I want to comment on is the awesome metal wall you have. Did you use the basic roofing material? It'd be useful in a "kids" room. Not only is it very durable and cleanable....you could put up posters with magnets! I've got to do that. Are the ridges troublesome? Well done!

I love love love this, Ana!

LOL see what happens when there is no spell check! I can't spell :)

Hi Andjarnic, I sand with 120 grit sandpaper and prime with Kilz too. Then just brush on paint. I have personally had great experience with MDF.

The best way to reinforce MDF is with face frame (trim on the front edge) and plywood on the back, or building a box under the MDF. Check out the Sagulator online for a calculator for saggage. I like to use MDF on lower use painted projects. It works well for sides of bookcases, shelves, and would be great in a closet. Consider this - most closet organizers are made of particle board! And most furniture these days is made of MDF - even the spendy stuff!

Faith, it would! If you used a 1x12 instead of 1x16s, then all you would have to do is cut your perpendicular trim to 11 1/2" long instead of 15 1/2" long. Part of the "look" for this piece is the towers are square though, so you may consider making the shelves 12" x 11 1/2" squares to keep the consistency there.

Maryanne, you can get three 1x16s out of a single sheet, but you need 120 plus inches of 1x16, so you would end up with just enough for two desks. Does that make sense? You are right about the saw blade.

Sophie, it can be done http://ana-white.com/2010/10/parsons-style-bookshelf.html but the Kreg Jig just makes things so much easier. Not impossible without though! Check the link out. It's the same type of construction. Hope this helps! Ana

Laura, you are so smart. I tried to sneak that one by you :) I'll post the how too this week. It's awesome, like a giant stylish fridge for keeping all your ideas and notes handy :) And looks so good!

Thank you Lauren!

Hi Ana,
I am a woodworking instructor and I am really happy to see you promoting self made furniture. I don't believe in stereotypes where furniture making is predominantly done by men. In fact, the Shaker tradition have many women furniture craftsman / woodworker.
My biggest concern is safety on power tool usage. Woodworking bookstand even shows (ex:Norm Abrahm and the American Woodworker by Scott Philips) only conveys the message to follow instruction given by the manufacturer. The problem is that the instructions do no explain safety.
I have been a woodworker for over 15 years and worked in the industry for another 12 years. I strongly encourage your sybscribers to take one class in power tool (circular saws and especially tablesaw usage at a local community college/ park-recreational class. Sawstop makes a real safe tablesaw for those who wants to get into making furniture regularly. However, even that saw will not explain tablesaw kickback prevention. Books do not explain enough. My shop is called The Wood Works Furniture Design Studio, Corona in California.

I really like that you even put the placement of the pocket holes on the plans! Fantastic idea.

Hi Ana! Love the desk, but love the wall even more. I have been thinking about a similar treatment in our basement. Would you share a picture that shows how you finished the edges? Did you use trim? Thanks!

I was wondering the same thing about that amazing wall. I can't wait to see your tutorial on this! Ana, you're awesome!

Laura and Ana-
The whole while I'm looking at this desk thinking, "ok, what about that wall!!!??" Love love love. Can't wait to see what Miss Ana's brilliant mind came up with!!!
Love, Peace and Elbow Grease,
Cease

Ana, you are awesome! How cool are you posting so much info on pocket holes! Thanks so much. You have openned a whole new world to me.

Thanks for good stuff

Thanks for the info

I Love it! I tackled this same desk about a month ago after some inspiration from your site and having built a cameron bookshelf and a rustic bench. With those projects successful I figured I could attempt creating some plans myself. It turned out great but having made my shelves a little smaller, I wish I had waited and thought it through a little more so that my 12x12 scrapbooking papers would fit on the shelves! haha. oops. lesson learned. I do not have a kreg jig so I just used a few little angle brackets to hold my shelves in too! Also made myself a shorter, scaled down version for a printer table! Love the open storage that I can reach from all sides!! Great desk to have!

I just stumbled upon this site and I'm already in love. I want to start building this desk now! However, I live in an apartment. Is building this desk conducive to apartment living? I think I would have enough floor space but the mess and noise is what I'm worried about. What do you think?

LOVE! I really like the openness of the bottom- perfect for easily accessable storage. And it doesn't look like the piece would weigh down smaller spaces like chunkier desks might. Thanks!!

would this work with just one set of shelves? I love the desk, but 60" is just too long for my space.

Is there any way you could post the sketchup files?

Karen, that is a fabulous idea! It would! Might change the styling a little, but would definitely work.

I love this desk! I'm wondering if you could make it lengthier for a dual desk? Any advice on that?

Just about to order my KREG JIG, but the screws come in 'course' and 'fine'. Which do you use? Love the plan. It will be my FIRST!

Ana - I love everything...but in case you are looking for a challenge...what about a treadmill desk (it's the new thing here in the corporate world)

Kevin

Love this desk. We want something counter top height so that we can sit at it with bar stools. Do you think it would be stable enough if we added another row of cubbies underneath to raise it up? Thanks for all of the great plans.

I am loving this desk. Would it be possible to make it taller? I would love this in my breakfast area for my computer and command station...but would need to be counter height (since I never get to sit when in the kitchen area!)

So i have all our towers built, 3 each and 1 of those is custom to fit the husbands pc, but i have a question about the desktop.
FIrst off did you screw the 2x2's around the desktop into the legs or into the MDF board?

Will I need additional support for a stretch of desktop thats 96.5" long?

I see that the 1 1/4 are to attach the MDF to the trim, but nothing in the plans mention where to use the 2 inch pocket screws? Am I correct to assume they are to attach the 2x2 to the 2x2?

Thanks!

I am sorry to say that I know nothing about anything, but I was just wondering if it is normal to apply satin polyurethane to paint? I am about to make this desk and some book shelves and am looking for a really super shiny finish. Is this a good way to achieve a smooth and shiny finish?

Hello! I love this design and actually want it to be double the length. What would I have to consider when building it at that length in regards to weight load on top of the table? Do I need a support in the middle to make sure nothing bends/snaps the table if there is every too much stuff on the middle of the table? or will the plywood hold? Thanks!

Hi Ana,

I was wondering about how sturdy this desk is, especially if I make it longer (77") and deeper (37"). The sturdiness is necessary because it is going to be a recording studio desk for my boyfriend so will hold lots of equipment. I saw that a previous person extended the desk by adding a second set of shelves - unfortunately my boyfriend is insistent on lots of leg room (so demanding!). I have managed to convince him to make the side shelves 20" per side, so that will provide a little extra support. What do you think? Mostly, I'm worried about sturdiness and also the desk top sagging. Any advice would be appreciated!!

I love this desk can I get the plans for it?

Used this plan to build a desk for my son. Due to covid we are having school at home and this desk was so wonderful considering the shortage of desk right now. This was a great project!

Great plan. I am using legs from this with the L shaped desk for my daughter. One question though...Is the glue what is really holding the shelves together? It seems like the pocket screws in the plywood would be way too close to the edge of the 2x2 to provide much support.