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      1. Build Progress:
        • Build Complete!
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      Build a beautiful modular sitting/standing desk for your home or office.

      V-Slot furniture is a reality! Clean lines with an industrial look. It's the perfect marriage of wood and metal to create furniture that works.


      Trish StandUp Desk_8.jpg

      Trish StandUp Desk_4.jpg Trish StandUp Desk_3.jpg Trish StandUp Desk_2.jpg Trish StandUp Desk_5.jpg Trish StandUp Desk_7.jpg

      We currently have an IKEA Fredrik standing desk but needed another one to set up separate work stations.


      We love these IKEA Fredrik standing desks. They are the best of all the standing desks we have tried and checked out specs on. They are simple and functional but unfortunately IKEA no longer makes them.
      Our stations also need to be tailored to each user for the best possible experience.

      Sooooo, we being the builders we are, of course made one OpenBuilds style! :)

      Picture of the original IKEA Fredrik standing desk
      fredrik_small.jpg
      More pics of the IKEA Fredrik desk can be found here

      The cost from OpenBuilds Part store parts is approx. 200 bucks (minus the wood) and took us about a day to make (keep in mind we were also doing the build as we go so it should not take you this long to build).
      You will also need to pick out your wood shelving
      NOTE:We used 2' x 3' aspen as we wanted a nice finished look but aspen is quite expensive and there are lots of substitutes out there that can be used as the shelves.

      Follow along step by step and you can have this awesome desk for yourself as well.
      TIP:
      Before you begin, make sure to study the build as you may (and are encouraged) to want to make additions or modifications that you could add along the way

      With a 3D printer you could also add all kinds of cool accessories like pen holders and paper trays that attach right to the V-Slot sides! The possibilities are endless to the function and fashion that can be achieved when using V-Slot to create functional furniture.


      STEP 1 -Cutting material to length

      First you will need to cut the lengths of V-Slot needed

      • 2 - 20x60 @ 1500 - 59" (Side Towers)
      • 1 - 20x80 @ 914mm - 36" (Bottom Cross Brace)
      • 2 - 20x20 @ 569mm - 22.5" (Large Shelf Arms)
      • 2 - 20x40 @ 500mm - 19.5" (Feet)
      • 4 - 20x20 @ 265mm - 10.5" (Small Shelves)

      20150110_121155.jpg

      You will have a few small cutoffs left over to use on another build! :)

      20150110_120659.jpg

      The wood we used was Aspen 2' x 3'
      20150110_103734.jpg

      You will notice that we also cut one of the 2'x3' in half.
      Actually we asked at LOWES when buy the wood and they did it for us on their panel saw no problem.
      (however the cut was a little angled and I had to doctor it up a bit)

      20150110_104407.jpg
      Hey, come to think of it, I believe we could build one of these panel saw systems with V-Slot! Another build for another day :D

      STEP 2 -Building the shelf arms

      Ok, so now we need to add the 90 degree corner connectors to the 20x20 shelf arms.
      -Using the self tapping screws and a cordless drill you will want to screw these in a little at a time on slow speed.
      TIP: Make sure to go slow and use reverse a lot on the drill you want to slowly tap your way in backing up and drilling deeper in small steps.

      ends put on.jpg
      Only put them on one end at this time as you will need to add tee nuts on the next step.

      -Ok now add the tee nuts as shown in the picture. Please take note of the position of the corners and that the tee nuts slide into the top track. Where the tee nut sit at this time is not important. There are two tee nuts per stick.

      20150110_125832.jpg
      20150110_125825.jpg
      In this picture all the tee nut are in place on all of the 20x20 shelf arms and the 90 degree corners are ready to be screwed in.

      -So go ahead ahead and screw in the other 90 degree corner connectors.

      Now we need to add the Triple L Brackets to the arms

      -Starting with the small arms you will need to measure 6" from the end over and center the Triple L bracket in place as shown below.
      20150110_151240.jpg

      -Keeping the V-Slot flat go ahead and screw the Triple L Bracket in place using 8mm Screws
      20150110_151304.jpg

      Do this for all 4 of the small shelf arms.
      TIP: To speed things up a bit you can use the first one you just made as a pattern (by hold them side by side) to make up the rest. See the picture below
      20150110_151543.jpg

      Time to do the large shelf's Triple L Bracket. We are going to center it for now but once the build is complete, we will adjust it out to the proper place.

      -Like before center the Triple L Bracket at about 1' from the end as shown.
      20150110_152038.jpg

      -And again keeping the V-Slot flat go ahead and screw the Triple L Bracket in place using 8mm Screws

      20150110_152055.jpg

      Again, to speed things up a bit, you can use the first one you just made as a pattern (by hold them side by side) to make up the rest. See the picture below

      20150110_152219.jpg

      Ok the shelf arms are complete and can be set to the side for now. Nice job :thumbsup:


      STEP 3 -Prepping the bottom brace

      On this step we will be adding four Cast Corners to the 20x80 V-Slot brace.

      -Using 8mm Screws and Tee Nuts, attach the four Cast Corners to the sides of the 20x80 V-Slot as shown in the pictures below.

      Getting the parts together
      20150110_152404.jpg

      -Screw the corners on to the ends of the 20x80 V-Slot
      20150110_152516.jpg
      Completed ends should like the picture below
      20150110_152553.jpg

      20150110_152745.jpg


      STEP 4 -Getting the feet ready

      Here we will be adding the parts needed for the base (or feet) of the desk

      We will be adding both the Cast Corners as well as Triple L Brackets to the 20x40 V-Slot feet

      -Mark the 20x40 V-Slot at 225mm - approx 8.75"
      20150110_163122.jpg

      Locate 4 8mm Screws and Tee Nuts as well as 2 Triple L Brackets
      -Slide the Tee Nut in place taking note of the track. Use the picture below for reference.
      20150110_163236.jpg

      -Screw the L brackets in place
      20150110_163429.jpg



      Now locate 4 Cast Corners as well as 4 more 8mm Screws and Tee Nuts.
      20150110_164032.jpg

      -Install the Cast Corners as shown below, position is not important at this time.
      20150110_164226.jpg
      Feet are now prepped and can be st to the side as well.

      STEP 5 -Lay out the sides

      On this step we will be adding the marks of where we want the bottom brace as well as the shelves to be located. The bottom brace will not really change but this is a good time check the 3D model and see where you would like your shelves to be. There are a lot of options since the unit is modular. Be sure to take some time to see how you want to lay out your desk.

      TIP: You may want to use a speed square to help in keeping your marks straight across the V-Slot as well as keeping the shelves square later in the build.

      - Make a small B on what we will call the bottom of your 20x60 sides V-Slot
      20150110_171038.jpg

      - Measure up from the bottom 18" and place your first mark. (this will be for the top of the 20x80 brace)
      20150110_170728.jpg

      - Measure up from the bottom 24" and place your second mark. (This will be for the top of the bottom small shelf)

      20150110_170733.jpg

      - Measure up from the bottom 37" and place your third mark. (This will be for the top of the large middle shelf)

      20150110_170740.jpg

      - Measure up from the bottom 43" and place your third mark. (This will be for the top of the small top shelf)
      TIP: We found after the build that 47" was a better measurement for this shelf. It holds the computer monitors and 47" put it closer to eye level. So you may want to make this 47" instead of the 43" mentioned here.

      20150110_170745.jpg

      TIP: Transfer the marks onto the other side by placing them together and using a speed square to keep them straight.
      20150110_170915.jpg

      All marks have been made and the parts are coming along nicely :thumbsup:
      20150110_170658.jpg
      Great job! Let's move to the next step



      STEP 6 - Adding the feet and attaching the shelf arms to the sides

      On this step we will be adding the feet to the sides of the shelves
      We will be building one set then repeating for the second side.
      First we will start by adding the feet.
      20150110_171453.jpg

      - First add the tee nuts to the 20x60 sides, take note of the pictures and where the tee nuts go. One on each side of the 20x60 and then two more on each side of the face (as shown)
      20150110_171605.jpg

      20150110_171806.jpg
      - Tighten everything down
      20150110_171923.jpg

      TIP: Again, please take note that the sides should have the feet on opposite tricks ( like a mirror image see the feet on the model for a visual reference). This allows the feet to have the longer sides protruding to the front of the desk.

      Next, we will be adding the shelf arms to the sides, lining them up with the marks we made on the sides earlier.
      -So, gather the parts needed for these steps.
      1 of the small shelf arms that we pre-made and 2 8mm screws as well as 2 tee nuts.
      -Slide two of the the tee nuts down from the top of the sides , on the two outside tracks of the V -Slot as shown in the picture below.
      TIP: Slide the tee nuts down just below the 24" mark (not the first 18: mark) as shown
      20150110_173026.jpg

      -Tighten down in place you can use your speed square to keep the shelf square to the side.
      20150110_172347.jpg

      -Next locate the large shelf arm as well as two 8mm Screws and Tee Nuts
      20150110_173311.jpg

      -Tighten down the large shelf in place same as with the small shelf arm you can use your speed square to keep the shelf square to the side.
      20150110_173355.jpg

      Now, for the final top shelf arm
      -Locate the small shelf arm as well as two 8mm Screws and two Tee Nuts.
      20150110_173447.jpg

      -Slide the Tee Nuts in place just below the top line and attach the small shelf arm
      20150110_173529.jpg

      - Now would be a good time to adjust the large middle shelf out to the front. We measured back from the front of the shelf to the sides 14" and that did the trick!
      Again please check the model for reference.
      20150110_175942.jpg

      Nice work!:)


      REPEAT ATTACHING THE 3 SHELF ARMS TO COMPLETE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SHELF
      The next step is that we need to make the other side the same as this one. (mirror image)
      Again, please take note of the pictures and models so that you have the feet on the correct side and that the shelf arms are on the right sides. Please see the pictures below.

      20150110_173745.jpg

      You can lay the two side on top of one another to get the shelf arms to align.
      20150110_175020.jpg

      You can move them around by hand an then use the Allen key to lock them down.
      TIP: Again make sure to use your square to get a good square shelf.

      STEP 7 - Adding the bottom brace

      Here we will be adding the 20x80 bottom support brace
      You will need two tee nuts and two 8mm M5 screws

      - Find a spot to lay one of the sides on its side flush with the shelf arms on top as shown.

      - Start by sliding the two tee nuts down the cent track of the 20x60 side V-Slot from the top down to the 18" mark at the bottom as shown below
      20150110_180634.jpg

      - Align the bottom brace with the 18" line and tighten in place.
      20150110_180909.jpg

      STEP 8 - Bringing it together

      Now we will finish attaching the two sides to one another using the bottom brace.

      - Lay the other side on the ground next to the one we just attached the bottom brace too.
      20150110_181230.jpg

      - Lets slide two more tee nuts down the center of the new side from the top down to the 18" mark. Just like we did with the first side assembly.
      20150110_181700.jpg


      - Flip the new side over so that the tee nuts stay in place
      20150110_181724.jpg

      - Set in place over the Cast Corners of the bottom support beam and tighten in place with two 8mm M5 Screws
      20150110_181916.jpg


      TIP:You may need to loosen the other screws a little to allow the brace to sit flush and square. Once its seated you can tighten them back up.
      20150110_182123.jpg


      At this point this would be a great time to use an Allen Key to tighten down all the screws on the bracing. This will help to keep everything square as you move it around to work on it.
      20150110_182355.jpg

      Ok, lets stand up the shelf and take a look at it so far.
      Looking good! :thumbsup:
      20150110_183842.jpg

      Now that the shelf is upright we can tweak a few things if need be as well as tighten down any screws that need it.

      - Use your square to get the shelf arms square and tighten the screws down
      20150110_183914.jpg

      STEP 9 - Attaching the the shelf boards

      Ok, moving right along now! We need to attach the shelf boards using the Self Tapping Screws. (4 for each shelf)
      NOTE: There are many ways to attach these boards to the shelf arms. We are going with the option of screwing in the 4 (90 degree) corner connector from the bottom up into the shelf board wood.

      First, we will attach the bottom small shelf board.
      - Place one of the small shelf boards in place and align the front edges of the shelf to the shelf arms.
      20150110_184110.jpg

      - Screw the shelf board in place from underneath using the self tapping screws.

      20150110_184201.jpg

      - Next screw in the TOP small shelf board the same way.

      TIP: We do the top shelf next next because if we did the large middle shelf next there would not be enough room for the drill to fit between the shelves.

      20150110_185212.jpg

      - Next install the large shelf board on the middle shelf arms again using 4 self tapping screws from underneath.
      20150110_185248.jpg

      Now that the shelves are on, Test it out!
      - Check height and adjust the shelves up or down on the side rails according
      20150110_192129.jpg



      STEP 10 - Finishing touches

      Its really looking cool now the only thing left is to pretty it up a bit. ;)

      - Sand and round off the front corners of the shelves.
      20150110_190702.jpg
      - Add a sealer or stain like a wood oil. We used Natural Danish Oil
      20150110_190725.jpg


      CONGRATULATIONS!
      You now have an awesome modular computer standing/sitting work station.

      We hope you have enjoyed your build and we hope that you too will share any modifications upgrades or completely new builds you come up with.

      Thank you
      OpenBuilds Team
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  • Build Details

    Build License:
    • CC - Attribution - CC BY

    Reason for this Build

    We love the IKEA Fredrik standing desks. They are the best of all the standing desks we have tried and checked out specs on. They are simple and functional but unfortunately IKEA no longer makes them.
    So being the builders we are, deiced to make one!

    Inspired by

    IKEA Fredrik standing desks
  • Parts list

    Qty Part Name Part Link Comments
    2 V-Slot 20 x 60mm - 1500mm http://openbuildspartstore.com/v-slot-20-x-60mm/ Link Sides of Shelf
    1 V-Slot 20 x 80mm - 1000mm http://openbuildspartstore.com/v-slot-20-x-80mm/ Link Bottom Shelf Brace (Cut to 36")
    1 V-Slot 20 x 20mm -1500 http://openbuildspartstore.com/v-slot-20-x-20mm/ Link Large Shelf Arms (Cut 2 @ 570)
    2 V-Slot 20 x 20mm - 1000 http://openbuildspartstore.com/v-slot-20-x-20mm/ Link Small Shelf Arms (Cut 4 @ 265mm)
    1 V-Slot 20 x 40mm - 1000 http://openbuildspartstore.com/v-slot-20-x-40mm/ Link Base or Feet (Cut in half to 500mm each)
    6 Universal L Brackets - (Triple ) http://openbuildspartstore.com/universal-l-brackets/ Link Used to attach shelf arms to sides
    8 90 Degree Cast Corner Bracket http://openbuildspartstore.com/90-degree-cast-corner-brac... Link Used on the bottom brace as well as on the feet
    12 90 degree Angle Corner Connector (V-Slot) http://openbuildspartstore.com/90-degree-angle-corner-con... Link Used on the shelf arm ends to attach wood shelves to the arms
    14 End Cap (V-Slot) http://openbuildspartstore.com/end-cap-v-slot/ Link (optional) Used to dress up the feet as well as the tops of the sides
    38 Self Tapping Screw http://openbuildspartstore.com/self-tapping-screw/ Link Used to attach the wood shelves to the arms
    2 (8mm) Low Profile Screws M5 (25 Pack) http://openbuildspartstore.com/low-profile-screws-m5/ Link Used throughout the build to attach various components
    2 Tee Nuts (25 Pack) http://openbuildspartstore.com/tee-nuts-25-pack/ Link Used throughout the build to attach various components
    2 Aspen Wood http://www.lowes.com/pd_20897-99899-L53034243_0__?product... Link We used this Aspen wood, but know that there are much more economical solutions out there as well
  • Attached Files:

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