U-Leg Writing Desk
A simple writing desk: a 2x10 plank top on two steel U legs. No drawers, no aprons, just a clean top with room for your knees.
- Skill
- Level 2 of 5 · Beginner
- Build time
- 4 to 5 hours, plus finish
- Lumber
- 2 2x10s and 1 1x4
- Joinery
- Pocket holes and leg screws
- Finished size
- 47″ W × 27¾″ D × 29½″ H
What you need
A 2x10 is actually 1½″ × 9¼″ and a 1x4 is ¾″ × 3½″. Every measurement in this plan uses the real size.
Shopping list
- 22x10, 8 ftThe top. Pick the flattest, straightest boards in the pile.
- 11x4, 6 ftThe cleat.
- 1 pair28″ U-shape desk legs, pair23⅝″ (60 cm) wide.
- ~10#10 × 1″ pan-head screwsFor the legs, if yours don't come with screws.
- ~102½″ coarse-thread pocket-hole screwsFor joining the top boards.
- ~101¼″ wood screwsFor the cleat.
- 1Wood glue
- —Sandpaper, 80 to 220 grit
- 1PolyurethaneFor a hard writing surface.
Tools
- Miter saw or circular saw
- Pocket-hole jigSet for 1½″.
- Drill/driverWith a ⅛″ and a ¼″ bit.
- ClampsTwo that open 30″ or more.
- Random orbit sander
- Speed square, tape measure, pencil
Cut list
Four pieces from three boards. Label each piece with its letter in pencil as you cut it.
| Part | Qty | Size, inches | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATop boards | 3 | 1½ × 9¼ × 47 | 2x10 |
| BCleat | 1 | ¾ × 3½ × 23¾ | 1x4 |
Board layout. Each row is one board, cut left to right, with the remainder hatched. Dark lines are saw cuts, about ⅛″ wide.
Hardware & tools
Everything besides the lumber, with a link for each.
Links go to Amazon. Woodable earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Required part
28″ U-shape metal desk legs (pair)The plan is drawn for 28″ legs, 23⅝″ wide. Check your legs' instructions for the screw holes before drilling.1 pairView on Amazon
Fasteners
- #10 × 1″ pan-head screwsFor the legs, if yours don't come with screws.~10View on Amazon
- 2½″ coarse-thread pocket-hole screwsFor joining the top boards.~10View on Amazon
- 1¼″ wood screwsFor the cleat.~10View on Amazon
Glue & finish
- Wood gluePVA wood glue for indoor projects.1View on Amazon
- Sandpaper, 80 to 220 grit5″ hook-and-loop discs for a random orbit sander, 80 to 220 grit.View on Amazon
- PolyurethaneFor a hard writing surface.1View on Amazon
Tools
- Miter saw or circular saw10″ compound miter saw: square, angled and beveled crosscuts.View on Amazon
- Pocket-hole jigSet for 1½″.View on Amazon
- Drill/driverWith a ⅛″ and a ¼″ bit.View on Amazon
- ClampsTwo that open 30″ or more.View on Amazon
- Random orbit sander5″ random orbit sander.View on Amazon
- Speed square7″ rafter square for marking and guiding cuts.View on Amazon
- Tape measure25 ft tape measure.View on Amazon
Build it
Six steps. The 3D view follows along as you scroll. The parts you're working on are yellow, and the pocket holes or screws for that step are red.
- 01
Cut the pieces
Cut every piece on the cut list:
- A Top boards, three at 47″
- B Cleat, one at 23¾″
Lay the three top boards side by side and shuffle them until the best faces are up and the grain looks good. Draw a big V across them so they go back in the same order.
- 02
Drill the pocket holes
With the jig set for 1½″, drill four pocket holes along one edge of two of the top boards (A), on the underside: 8″ and 16″ from each end. That keeps them clear of the legs and the cleat.
- 03
Join the top boards
Lay the boards (A) face down in order, pocket holes along the joints. Clamp them flat, glue the edges and drive 2½″ pocket screws from the middle out.
Watch outYou'll write on this top, so the joints must be flush. Clamp across each joint right at the screw you're driving. - 04
Add the cleat
Center the cleat (B) across the underside of the top (A), 2″ in from the front and back edges. Drill its screw holes, making the outer ones ¼″ wide so the top can move with the seasons, then drive six 1¼″ wood screws. No glue.
- 05
Screw on the U legs
Set a U leg across each end of the top (A), its top bar 3″ in from the end and centered front to back, about 2″ in from each edge. Mark the holes, drill ⅛″ pilot holes no deeper than 1¼″, and drive a #10 × 1″ pan-head screw in every hole.
Check your legs' own instructions first. The plan is drawn for legs 28″ tall and 23⅝″ wide; the screws must stay shorter than the 1½″ top is thick.
- 06
Sand and finish
Stand the desk up. Sand the top with 80 grit to flatten the seams, then 120, 180 and 220, and ease every edge. A writing surface wants a hard finish: three coats of polyurethane, sanding lightly between coats.
Build at your own risk. Check every measurement against your own lumber before you cut, test-fit before you glue, and wear eye and ear protection. Full disclaimer.
