Below are materials needed for the desk box only and the legs, not the drawer box. Click here for a detailed tutorial on building the drawer box.

1. Tools:

• Drill, Brad Nail Gun, Pocket Hole Jig

2. Hardware:

• (6-8) 1 ¼” Pocket Hole Screws
• (4-6) 2” Wood screws
• (2) 18” drawer slides

3. Pipe Legs (3/4” plumbing pipe). Pipe can be cut to size and threaded for a small fee at any plumbing store. 

• (4) Flanges
• (4) Elbows
• (2)  pieces black pipe cut at 14 ¾” threaded on both ends
• (4) pieces black pipe cut at 23 ¾” threaded on both ends

4. Other:Wood Glue, Clamps

DIY Small Computer Desk with Pipe Frame: TUTORIAL

LumberCuts

• ¾” Plywood cut at 20″ x  36″ for the top.
• 1″x 3″ boards– (2) at 18” for drawer support
• 1″x 5″ boards– For the “skirt”  See cuts below.
  • (1) 36”   (Back)
  • (2) 20 ½” (sides)
  • (1) 37 3/8” (face)- measure and cut to size for best fit.
• 2×4  scraps double deep to screw flanges into.

I will give a you a quick overview of how I put the desk together, but to get the best images, be sure to download the plans.

STEP 1: Build the drawer

I did not list the drawer cuts in the above list of materials, because I recommend you build the drawer first. I also suggest you buy the drawer slides before building the drawer. Sorry. I guess you have some homework to do. The good news is, my drawer box was mega easy to build.

STEP 2: Attach drawer support

Attach the  1×3″ support pieces to the 20 x 36″ piece of plywood. This is where building the drawer first helps a LOT. I simply set my drawer right where I wanted it in the center, with the drawer slides, and 1x3s right next to it and marked my place. After I made my sandwich, I marked the spot and attached the supports. I first drilled pocket holes with my jig, then joined with pocket hole screws.

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Step 5: Attach leg support and legs

Assembling the legs is a breeze. You want a U shape.

To add a little height and extra leg support, stack 2x4s, two- high inside the space on both sides of the drawer. I used wood glue and screws to attach them. Then added the U shaped legs at the end.

Step 6: Attach the drawer face

This is the icing on the cake. Attach it using wood screws from the inside of the drawer. I drilled two pilot holes on the drawer box front first (not pictures) just to make the screws go in easier and to minimize the likelihood of my drawer face moving while I drilled. A second set of hands are nice to have here.

Step 7: Finish of Choice

I love how the drawer ends up completely hidden! Now all you need to do is paint! If you like the finish I chose, I used this stain for the perimeter and this one for the top!

I am in love with how this project turned out. I hope you like it and build it, too!

Don’t forget to grab the plans! If you like this post, join me and all my DIY friends. I promise I won’t crowd your Inbox with emails. I’ll just share all the goodness I have to give. You can sign up here!

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