DIY Construction Lumber Desk for $50 in Materials |
Today on Modern Builds I'm building a DIY desk out of 2x4's and 4x4 legs for under $50. This is my entry into the#rocklerdesckchallenge, more info below.
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Materials and Supplies:
Biscuit Joiner: amzn.to/31Ntgk7
Rockler Doweling Jig: www.rockler.com/shop?w=doweli...
Wood Stain: amzn.to/3msARg7
Wood Conditioner: amzn.to/3e6e6vB
Simple Finish: makerbrandco.com/products/sim...
12" Speed Square: amzn.to/31P5qVg
Maker Brand Clamps: makerbrandco.com
Wood Glue: amzn.to/37MuJew
#RocklerDeskChallenge Official Rules - www.rockler.com/desk-challenge
Where I Get My Music (Free Trial): www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Thanks for watching!!
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Thanks for watching!
-Mike Montgomery
MODERN BUILDS
Hi, My name is Mike Montgomery and I'm a MAKER; a designer, builder, and full-time content creator. Accessibility is my focus with Modern Builds, not simply accessibility of designs, but accessibility in materials, information, and projects themselves. I've focused on creating furniture and DIY projects that are simple enough that any beginner maker can accomplish, yet interesting enough that any expert might be inspired. Building and making is becoming less and less of an exclusive hobby and profession. My goal is to reduce that separation even further.
“I used only a circular saw, jig saw and some hand tools” first two minutes: uses a thickness plainer, biscuit joiner and belt sander... lol
😭😭😭😭😭 for real
I turned this off as soon as he pulled out the biscuit joiner. 🙄 Also, I’m not going to be attempting that joinery without either a planer & table saw, or else using $200 worth of perfectly milled lumber
@@gretchhhhhhhhhhhhhh you don't 'need' the biscuits. They add a bit of strength, but not necessary. But you deff need a planer to do joinery like that.
Hahahaha 🤣
I have discovered that when female wood workers or carpenters say “I just used these tools” they actually mean it. The men? No way. They mean “these tools plus $2000 of tools, clamps, and digital measuring tools I happen to have in my fully equipped workshop”.
Mike - "I built this whole project with just a circular saw, a jig saw and some hand tools" Mike 10 seconds later - "So just run all your boards through a thickness planer" Mike another 10 seconds later - "And now I'll be using this biscuit joiner"
don't forget the miter saw after the sponsor.
@@aaronalquiza9680 Lol... I let that one slide because he could have done it with the circular saw. Still a cool desk though!
And belt sander.
this. I was prepared to be impressed and then.... disappointed, again.
was about to comment that and saw this he also used a belt sander and a miter saw
"I will only use a drill and jigsaw" proceeds to run them all through a thickness planer.
then proceeds to use a biscuit joiner tool....
😂
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
To join the wood you can use a drill and those sticks and they will work the same. And like that you don’t need to expend more money in a new tool.
KE 717 Missing the point
“Limited Tools Project” 1. Planer 2. Biscuit Joiner 3. Miter Saw 4. Circular Saw 5. Belt Sander 6. Random Orbital Sander 7. Jig Saw Hmmmmm....wish my tool list was that “limited” Awesome project though.
Don’t forget the 48” bar clamps!
Literally the first tool he uses is a planer! I love Mike but if he just hadn't said anything in the intro, I'd be fine with it...
1. Hand Plane 2. Drill and dowels 3. Circular saw and straight edge set at an angle 4. Circular saw 5. Sandpaper by hand 6. Sandpaper by hand 7. Really? Oh and you can chain clamps together
This project can be done without power tools. Hand saw Chisel Manual hand drill (I would argue most people have electric drills though) Hand plane Bar clamps can be made on the cheap with threaded rod, some pieces of wood, nuts and washers. The biscuits are not necessary. Glue and clamp works just fine.
Bar clamps chisels and numerous others
I was gonna comment about the tools but it looks like the entirety of youtube beat me to it.
2x4 studs are $7 in my neck of the woods. You had like $150CAD of lumber on your cart there. 🤣
i wanna see his receipt for tha home depot trip because that looked like more than 50
Bay Area California. 2x4x8 are $5.85 plus lumber fee. Good old Home Depot
Wow,they’re usually $3 here!
They were $2.95 in the spring but by the end of summer $7. Sheet of 3/4 PT plywood $80. 7/16 OSB $30. It's outta hand.
Same here anywhere from5.50 - 7.50 for an 8foot 2x4. 3/4 bcx ply was 23 now almost 50.
I didn't know a thickness planer was a "hand tool"
You put the wood through the planer with your hands so it counts!
The construction reminds me of the entrance to a Japanese temple. Very much aesthetically pleasing. 🤗🤗🤗
Mike awesome job project turned out very well nice work. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend keep making greatness. Can't wait to see ur next video.
This totally reminds me of your earlier stuff, inp articular the 2x4 workbench, but with what you've learned along the way thrown in, loving the retro feel
I build this whole project with common tools. Yet goes to home depot and common tools some how changed into a planer and a biscuit joiner. 🤣 like anyone else really has thos. But good video nice table
And belt sander
@@jfkusa123 belt sanders are like 60 bucks for a decent one
@@themaker4216 Hell honestly, you could probably rent a belt sander and a planer for cheap edit: just checked my local home depot, you could rent both of those for 45$ a day, or less if you can get the project done in under 4 hours
@@zyther96 wait you can rent their tools? Thanks for the heads up man I never even knew that
For carpentry projects, biscuit joiner seems common. And planer depends on how often you get unfinished wood.
Great book for a beginner . kzhead.infoUgkxD-QRFQz730FJEh4f9BYSf-nkIMIC9hL_ this book really starts from the beginning, as in it explains what basic tools are and how to use them. But when it gets to the art of creating joints and how and when to use them this book really starts to teach you something. At least that was my experience.
I was really excited to use MY OWN FINISH on this piece, CAME OUT GREAT....
To prevent woooobly legs you could insert and trim shims into the top of the castle joints.
Nicely done Mike! That "castle joint" is really strong & looks great to boot. 👍👍😉😉
I've done them both ways, a castle joint is way easier to make with a simple ( cheap) coping saw. It does add a really nice detail to your project.
it's literally impossible to make this table flat without the planer...cmon dude, normally love the videos but this is just misleading
Can you elaborate?
@@mfmr200 unless you run that rough lumber through a planer, you won't have a flat top since construction 2x4s are rounded. If you bought pre-milled lumber, the cost would be much higher.
Very cool project and video Mike! Love the joinery and the clean look of the desk!
Looks great, the only thing I would have added is a miter on the ends of the aprons. I will be trying that castle joint on a project in the future though, it looks simple but adds so much to the overall look. Thanks for the video.
Instead of pocket holes you could drill through the aprons and do almost a counter sink with a larger bit, so you can finish attaching the top with screws and dowels. Stain the dowels with the same stain and hide the hardware making it look like its held together with friction. Just a thought.
You would still be able to see where you put the dowels.
How did you secure the top? I am looking at this being a great project for the desk for kids Covid-19 resource.
Very nice build!! The only thing that I might have done different is to put a slight taper on the legs. Really enjoyed the joinery you used on this build!
This is a great build. Well done.
If you make one of the sets of half lap joints a quarter inch proud you could make a corresponding recess in the underside of the table top. This would allow for a hardware free friction fit.
Congrats on your first house purchase! Always a big step regardless of where you’re at in life! Cheers man excited for the content that comes of it 😉
Missed the Staining-Pad in your description
Awesome build Mike!! I plan on doing something similar with mine where the legs will be removable.
Is looks amazing and heavyduty. Thanks for sharing
LOVE THE VIDEO !! Great Job!!! Thanks For Sharing
Thanks Mike! How did you attach the table top to the base?
There have already been a ton of project (a lot better than mine) submitted to the #rocklerdeskchallenge on instagram! Go check them out and don't forget to build something cool before Nov 30th!
C'mon Mike, you already know I'm gonna say all your stuff is Super Dope!! Hoping all is well, Dirty Jersey out!!
LOVE THIS!!!!
good for Mike getting all this interaction on his videos today
The legs will hang out and there is no way to fix them without additional metal fasteners. How do you plan to fix the countertop?
Thank you for sharing this video now I can make my own tAble
Hey Mike I'm Searching For The Rasp File... Thanks In Advance
Hey Mike. You said you'd leave a *link in the description to the file you used* but I don't see it anywhere. Would like to purchase one so if you see this and can post the link I'd really appreciate. Great project btw.
Very beautiful piece!
Great Job 👍 Nicely Done And Congrats On Your New Home
this is a fast and simple way to make a workbench, thanks now i know how im going to make mine lol
Ohh how clean you got this desk :D :D :D How about starting with sharpening your chisels first? Just because it is construction-grade material, doesn't mean you have to be sloppy in your work!
Great build!
Great looking table/desk/dance platform. Did you get the lumber before prices went through the roof?
Awesome build, this that OG MoBuilds content we all know and love
Hey Mike, your rocking this #rocklerdesckchallenge ! your the only one in it! There's few more entries at #rocklerdeskchallenge ;) Love ur work as usual!
I love the little joyful song in the background ☺️
Man dudes getting hammered in the comments for his "limited tools" comment lol!
Does your table wobble at the bottom where the legs are? It's looks really altogether. Best wishes from Fiji
“How I built this desk with just a circular saw, jig saw, and some hand tools.” Proceeds to use planers, biscuit tool thing, etc stuff that nobody has. Sigh
You don’t need those other tools. They just make the end product a little nicer. Don’t really know why he even bothered with biscuits for the glue up. Totally unnecessary.
The is going to be a awesome series
Very creative, nicely done
Wowwww!. Simple and awesome.
Another way to cut the notches out of the 2 by 4s is to get a drill and make a hole in the corners of the marks. Then take a jigsaw and cut to them and then go over the inside walls with a file.
Desks have drawers for storage Desks are a flat surface Flat surfaces attract clutter If it were me, I'd hinge the top and put a bottom in using the apron. That way. You have a better shot at keeping the desk "presentable". OR if you wanted to make it unique Run some cleats on the bottom of the desk top and make it a friction fit If you get the friction right, it'll hold everything in place but can still be taken apart for moving from spot to spot without having to carry the whole thing at once and busting your fingers on the door frame. IF it were me. Nice build Mike!! And I agree That stain looks awesome!!! And hush about the minimal tools thing. I bet most of you griping have most of those yourself. It's not like he used thirty specialty tools and said it.
Can the same cleanliness be achieved with an electric hand planer? I don't have access to a thickness planer but would love to build a bench top out of 2x4s.
Looks great! You mentioned staining pads, but I didn't see the link...Which did you use?
like these www.homedepot.ca/product/stain-pro-stain-applicator-pads-2-pack-/1000107078
What was the planner being used? Need to pick something like that up
When will the next Bus makeover episode be released? Can't wait to see it!!!
he finished it tho
@@mohedaicebear he still hasn't
Nice one Mike.
8:15 I cant find that flat round file (File? Right spelling)
How did you affix the top to the legs? Seems like the legs alone are pretty wobbly.
A much easier and faster way to make the lap joins would be to turn the board on its edge then clamp all 4 of them together. Then you can run the circular saw across the top, with the blade height set to the dept of your lap joint. This will cut all of them at once, you won't have go chisel out the bottoms or use a jig saw and they'll be the exact same.
I like it. Forgiven for the planer and biscuit joiner. You can still build it without them.
Awesome build, I'm excited for the house series as well
7:57 When you cut the 2x2 lap-joints at once, they always the same size. I lije6 it to do that way.
Nice video!!! I have bought all those big tools through Facebook market place spent about $400 total over 3 yrs lol
Hey man. So, the jigsaw/circular saw conundrum was similar to what I did (practice phase just now) only I am going hand saw, using circular saw groves. The 2 x 4 element if done vertically allows a really easy solution, but circular saw needs to be big enough to be half the 2 x 4 exactly. I am using these joints to make a japanese tea house with dutch gable roof, so need to cut 45 degree bevel off 1 of each of the castle joint's uprights...hellish. I really appreciate the jigsaw method...just another angle...thanks
That warrior belt sander is a steal.
Hi love your videos
All these people jealous Mike's got a thickness planner....and I'm like... Sweeeet! Seems like a good enough reason for me to get one too.... later that night.... "But babe how could I make us a desk/table like Mike from if I didn't get a thickness planner"
Hi there. What would be the way to go to have a sturdy table without screwing top part to apron? Thanks
Looks like it is wobbly
I just watched the video and I will be there at home so I can get a ride to be a part of this team and the other side bar and grill in the story of the technology is fable anniversary of the technologies
Great job! How do you make surenit isn't wobbly? Also can you put Danish oil on stained pine or is that pointless?
You can totally use danish oil on stain, also fun fact, danish oil is super easy to make yourself, and it's way cheaper that way, just look up diy danish oil
Cleannnn
I've been wanting to do a castle joint project. But I'm thinking about a bed. Anyone know where to find ideas on that?
Love your vids
Playlist for other projects in the Rockler Desk Challenge is available here: kzhead.info/channel/PLvubxQyFY-Ug17V1woqtNpmFmTHjQvQNn.html
Nice!
A thickness planer is definitely my favorite "hand tool".
🙏🏼Love the table, looks AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing your talent and knowledge. 👍🏼👍🏼
I wouldn't use pocket holes from the apron to the top that doesn't allow for seasonal expansion, typically you want to use Z clips they'll hold it in place while still allowing for movement in the wood with changing moisture content. Looks nice though! Hogging out waste with a circular saw was a bold move but you pulled it off!
It's that classic wobbly style...
The top can still be attached if you make a cut in the top board & attach from below
Love it
Someone advice me on what is the best table saw
I never make anything like this but this is fun to watch
Great video brother but a bit misleading tho. I love how you made the castle joint look easy to make, which they are not as hard as some make it be. I've done them myself. But tbh your joint are a bit loose tho, I noticed the opening on the 4x4 was just a hair to wide which will leave room for the 2x4s to wobble a bit. But great video nonetheless... I always look forward to watching your video because I have learned a lot from you as well as many others. Keep doing what you do and good luck
Where did you get the stain pads and how much are they?
Home depot has them, I think they're like 4 bucks for 4 of them, somewhere around that
So you're cutting your boards on both ends, then cut them to length and then trimm the edges? Sounds like a LOT of waste... But i like that castle joint! Didn't think of that and will use them on my next dining table. Why did you use glue to hold it together? Is it too "wobbly" wothout?
I can’t find your “I bought a house” video
Its at the end of his last bus video, not a full video on it's own.
Is good for my kitchen 👍
Hey! Love how you have the ryobi instead of making videos where people think festool is the only way to go! That's talent! The skill is in the person, not the tool!
I was wondering why he used two different jigsaws: ryobi and heart. Maybe he gets a few bucks for using each.
Woah that one desk with the stitching on the #rocklerdeskchallenge is sick
How did you attach the top ?
my guy, wish you could do this project with just the tools you mentioned at the beginning
Awesome 🔐 🤗🤭😋
Good job
No lock for the top of the table?