Looking to get a standing desk

Vi Monks

As the title says, I'm looking for a good standing/adjustable height desk for my computer, but I'm having trouble finding exactly what I'm looking for. I want something that's actually desk sized (as opposed to the stand up workstations that barely fit a monitor/keyboard). I want it to be adjustable between a standing and sitting height. And, of course, I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible. So far, the closest thing I've found is the GeekDesk. That one has just about everything I want, but I'm trying to find something a bit cheaper, if possible.

A non-electric version of the GeekDesk (assuming it was actually priced a bit cheaper) would be perfect. I've actually found a mechanical desk frame that uses a crank at www.tablelegworld.com, but desktops on that site are expensive enough to bump the price close to the GeekDesk anyway. If I could find desktops cheaper elsewhere, that would probably work, but my searching hasn't turned much up.

Anyone have any suggestions? If there are other good standing desk models out there that I've missed, feel free to suggest those as well.

Daenris

You could always just put a desktop from Ikea on that crank base. They have a customizable desk line, so they sell just desktops under the Vika model name. You should be able to find a good sized one for under $70 or $80 (possibly significantly less depending on the size you want and material). And you can always upgrade to a nicer top later if you decide to.

godmode

Ars Technica wrote an article about this very thing back in September. You should give it a look and you can read about the ones they used!

Wezoin

Milk is another height adjustable desk you could take a look at - has some other neat features as well.

Milk

Vi Monks

@Daenris

Those IKEA desk tops were exactly what I was looking for. Should have known to check there first. How do you attach a desk top anyway?

@godmode

Thanks for the article. Very helpful. Lead me to this Biomorph, which looks pretty nice. I might consider that one.

@Wezoin

Damn you for making me want a Milk desk before I realized that they cost $4000! :P Still, very nice looking, and I'd love to get one, but it's way out of my price range.

illig

I dont really have a link or vendor for you bc my solution is custom... but look for a used base fora drafting table. I have an electric one that moves from sitting to standing height with the push of a button. I installed an ikea butcher block counter top on it, and i love my desk now.

GnomeTank

They have Milk desks here at work for the FFTE's that want them, and yes, they are stupid expensive.

Vi Monks

@illig

Thanks for the suggestion, but after a bit of browsing, I couldn't really find one that suited me.

I actually decided to go with the GeekDesk frame and a desk top from Ikea. I think it will work out very well, and the price wasn't too bad either. Thanks to everyone who helped.

Forbe!

I built one out of pre-threaded iron tubing and a solid oak butcher top I found at the hardware store (similar idea as this) . All it takes is a pipe wrench, drill and a screw driver. It isn't adjustable but mine cost about $100 in material, all of which was new. If you wanted to adjust the height you'd have to swap out your upright tubes. The pipe I think ran me about $30 and the rest was put into the pre-finished hardwood top.

Vi Monks

Forbe! wrote: »

I built one out of pre-threaded iron tubing and a solid oak butcher top I found at the hardware store (similar idea as this) . All it takes is a pipe wrench, drill and a screw driver. It isn't adjustable but mine cost about $100 in material, all of which was new. If you wanted to adjust the height you'd have to swap out your upright tubes. The pipe I think ran me about $30 and the rest was put into the pre-finished hardwood top.

I thought about something like that, but I really want it to be adjustable on the fly, i.e. without having to take everything off first -- which, unless I'm misunderstanding, you'd have to do for your desk.

GnomeTank

You've made me realize I want an electric adjustable desk now Vi. So much more healthy, given the amount of time I spend on a computer.

Vi Monks

GnomeTank wrote: »

You've made me realize I want an electric adjustable desk now Vi. So much more healthy, given the amount of time I spend on a computer.

That's exactly why I'm getting mine. I work from home, and both my job and my hobbies keep me in front of the computer for many hours out of the day, and being able to shift between standing and sitting whenever I want is kind of a big deal.

GnomeTank

Yeah, the guys at work with one use the crap out of it. One guy stands up probably 90% of the time. He has one of those gel pads you put in front of your sink so your back doesn't hurt after doing dishes. He loves it.

Vi Monks

GnomeTank wrote: »

Yeah, the guys at work with one use the crap out of it. One guy stands up probably 90% of the time. He has one of those gel pads you put in front of your sink so your back doesn't hurt after doing dishes. He loves it.

I ordered one of those pads too. Been saving for this whole setup for a while now. I'm quite excited.

GnomeTank

Yeah, you have me in the mood to do the same thing. Right now I am furnishing a new place, since I am a bachelor again...but once I get done with basic "please don't let this look like a college dorm" work on the rest of the house, I think I'll save for one as well.

Vi Monks

Sounds like a plan. Whenever you're looking to buy one, feel free to PM me, and I can let you know how the GeekDesk is working out, if you're interested.

Djeet

@Forbe! How did you affix the conduit/plumbing to the desktop?