I think I'm going to [attempt to] build a standing desk

[d000hg]

Been thinking about it for a while, and there have been a few threads on the subject. The biggest issue is that it needs to be dual-position (sitting/standing). Proper workstations are VERY expensive and also I don't really want to give up by current desk, which is ugly but about 10 feet long with several PCs and monitors. I want something which will fit in my existing workspace and allow me to adjust my main dual-monitor PC which is where I spend 80% of my working day.

I'm not massively skilled at hands-on work but it seems like a fun project. I do have a couple of ideas which should work; the problems I face are not the design as much as:

1. Actually putting it together
2. Finding the parts... there are several things I can imagine must exist and would suit perfectly, but I don't know what they're called!

Anyway, I might update this thread as things progress. If anyone has useful links to other self-build projects, or products on the market I could get inspiration from, please share.

Right now I'm considering how to actually lift/lower the thing. I see 3 options:

1. A shelf-like system, a bit like shelves in the oven. Move the screens off the shelf, slot it in at the desired height, put things back on top. Surely quite easy to do but crude and rather a faff.
2. Compressed air. Rather than relying on the air to keep the shelf up, it is used only to support the platform when lifting/lowering; the platform is still locked in place so the 'balloon' is onyl actually used while switching positions
3. Rope & pulley based. As a sailor I know about this stuff quite well. Low tech but in theory quite slick, a single rope could be used to raise/lower the whole platform.

[eek]

Been thinking about it for a while, and there have been a few threads on the subject. The biggest issue is that it needs to be dual-position (sitting/standing). Proper workstations are VERY expensive and also I don't really want to give up by current desk, which is ugly but about 10 feet long with several PCs and monitors. I want something which will fit in my existing workspace and allow me to adjust my main dual-monitor PC which is where I spend 80% of my working day.

I'm not massively skilled at hands-on work but it seems like a fun project. I do have a couple of ideas which should work; the problems I face are not the design as much as:

1. Actually putting it together
2. Finding the parts... there are several things I can imagine must exist and would suit perfectly, but I don't know what they're called!

Anyway, I might update this thread as things progress. If anyone has useful links to other self-build projects, or products on the market I could get inspiration from, please share.

Right now I'm considering how to actually lift/lower the thing. I see 3 options:

1. A shelf-like system, a bit like shelves in the oven. Move the screens off the shelf, slot it in at the desired height, put things back on top. Surely quite easy to do but crude and rather a faff.
2. Compressed air. Rather than relying on the air to keep the shelf up, it is used only to support the platform when lifting/lowering; the platform is still locked in place so the 'balloon' is onyl actually used while switching positions
3. Rope & pulley based. As a sailor I know about this stuff quite well. Low tech but in theory quite slick, a single rope could be used to raise/lower the whole platform.

Someone mentioned this somewhere else last week

http://iamnotaprogrammer.com/Ikea-St...2-dollars.html

it may give you ideas....

[d000hg]

I came across that one independently; as a fixed arrangement it seems good but to switch positions it looks like you'd have to remove it entirely.

As I toy with the idea, I'm thinking a frame of vertical elements which act as rails for the platform to go up on down, like a very simply lift, would be quite simple. Adding a pulley system would work and you could trivially have locking pins on the rails if you don't want the rope holding the full strain all the time.

[alluvial]

Cut a hole in the floor and stick a lump of plywood over it. Then when you want to stand for a bit, just flip the board out of the way and voila.

[russell]

Whats the point?, the biggest benefit of having an office based job over being a manual laborer is you get to sit on your ass all day.

[cojak]

Whats the point?, the biggest benefit of having an office based job over being a manual laborer is you get to sit on your ass all day.

There's a man who's never heard of NEAT and that chairs will be the death of him...

[d000hg]

Cut a hole in the floor and stick a lump of plywood over it. Then when you want to stand for a bit, just flip the board out of the way and voila.

While I applaud the lateral thinking, I'm not on the ground floor.

[alluvial]

While I applaud the lateral thinking, I'm not on the ground floor.

Same thing but get yourself one of those sex swing thingies.

Should open up a few more possibilities for at-the-desk entertainment.

Edit: Whoops, just noticed this isn't general so just a short edit to point out that I'm absolutely serious and typing this with a straight face.

[mudskipper]

Stand Up For Three Hours In The Office And Lose Weight

Standing's good.

[woohoo]

As an alternative what about a bike chair - I got this off linkedin but I can't find the actual bike (lots of crap ones but not this one) on the internet, anyone got the Google mojo to find it?