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Trestle Desk

DIY • Get It Done • Newsletter • Projects

Having a home office with minimal space available can be tricky so Peter and Annalien build a trestle desk which is portable and takes up only a small space. To inspire you a little more Annalien builds a document tray for the desk and some cute bookmarks.

You will need:

Tools Material list
  Supa wood 16mm
PST 18 Jigsaw table Top and bottom 1200 mm x 400mm – 2 pieces
POF 1400 Router plus round over bit Table support slats 384mm x 103 mm – 2 pieces
PSR 10.8 Cordless drill Driver Table sides 400mm x 103mm – 2 pieces
PSR 18 Cordless Drill Driver Table back 103mm x 1168 – 1 piece
PEX 220 Eccentric/Random Orbital sander Middle (plus outer drawers) drawer sides 362mm x 97mm – 6 pieces
PTK 14 Electric Tacker  Middle drawer back and front 566mm x 97mm – 2pieces
PFS 5000 spray gun Outer drawer back and front 233mm x 97mm – 4 pieces 
  trestle bottom shelf 300mm x 360mm – 2 pieces
  Trestle middle shelf 250mm x 360mm – 2 pieces
  Trestle top shelf 200mm x 360mm – 2 pieces
  Meranti (PAR) 20mm
  Middle drawer front 600mm x 100mm – 1 piece
  Outer drawer front 265mm x 100mm – 2 pieces 
  Trestle legs 50mm x 750mm – 8 pieces
  Masonite 3mm
  Middle drawer bottom 598 x 362mm – 1 piece
  Outer drawer bottom 265 x 362mm – 2 pieces
  metal corner brackets 50-70mm (not thicker/wider than 16mm) – 4 pieces 
  3 handles (old fashioned carry type handle) similar to a kist type but smaller
  2 drawer knobs (to match above handles)
  Indonesian Teak/imbuia water based varnish – 2 ltrs
  Clear varnish (we should have from previous project)
  3.5 x 30mm screws
  wood glue
  Imbuia wood filler
  bronze/copper colour or similar spray paint for corner brackets.

Follow these steps:

  1. Building the box
    1. Measure out a suitable size for the desk top and bottom using supawood
    2. Cut 2 pieces the same size
    3. Measure out for the back and side pieces of wood plus the pieces that will separate the 3 drawers
    4. Join table top to the table sides and bottom and drawer compartments
    5. Attach backing board
    6. Fill screw holes
  2. With you your desktop box complete its time to make the 3 drawers
  3. Drawers (left, right and middle)
    1. Measure and cut out the wood for each drawer
    2. Join sides, front and back.
    3. Attach masonite bottom to each drawer
    4. Drill pilot holes for handle
    5. Attach pine front
  4. Trestles (left and right)
    1. Find the right height for each trestle
    2. Cut the legs for each trestle
    3. Measure out for the shelves
    4. Router shelf edges
    5. Join legs to the shelves
    6. Varnish all the parts and attach trestles to the table.
    7. Insert drawers

Get the layout plan:

Trestlt type Desk

 EP2TRESTLEDESK