Mobile Stand Up Desk or Mobile Tool Cart

[Downeast Thunder]

FREE PLANS NOW AVAILABLE - Instructions below:

The design for this mobile stand-up desk was inspired by Paul Akers of FastCap and the mobile stand-up desk he created for his own use; and now offered to the public as "Paul's Desk" on the FastCap web site. Unlike Paul's Desk, the one I created is primarily constructed with 3/4" cabinet grade plywood.

Drawers were designed to fit under the desktop, and they are on my drawings, but I have not built them yet. The space occupied by the drawers can be left open as shown in this video with coat hooks installed, or a trash bucket placed in this space. Other options would be shelves, or a combination of drawers and shelves.

Another option is to build this unit as a mobile tool cart. Your options are almost limitless, as you can add drawers or shelves, cabinet doors, all kinds of hooks and holders, etc.

The drawback to this desk is that it is custom built to the correct height for the individual using it and is not adjustable. The other drawback is that it will cost more in materials than simply ordering Paul's Desk from FastCap. However, if built as a tool cart, the height is not critical, and the expense may be well worth it.

It is fairly quick and easy to build though, and if you already have materials in your shop, then it's cheap to build and own, regardless of it's intended purpose.

My FREE drawings for this mobile stand-up desk are now available in pdf files for free download. Go to my Downeast Thunder Creations web site, and select "Projects" on the tool bar. Then select "Furniture" and scroll down to the Stand-up Desk article. Find the hyperlinks for the plans or just follow the directions. You can also find a number of other free, downloadable plans/drawings in pdf format, for a variety of DIY projects on that web site.

My Youtube channel is something I'm working at; trying to grow the channel with a variety of videos covering different topics. Please visit if you have a chance: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUU...pKFwXTYQ57ex3g

[Jon]

Do you ever find yourself unconsciously "cheating" when using a standing desk, by leaning on the edge of the desk? I see this a lot, and have done it myself; it's terrible for your back.

One solution might be to place the computer or keyboard on a platform that completely covered the top of the standing desk. The platform could be vertically supported against a small amount of weight. If you pressed down too hard on the computer or the platform, the platform could drop a small amount in a controlled manner. Maybe 6 inches or so; just enough to make it too uncomfortable to continue, and of course the computer would have to be well-cushioned against the fall. Springs, shielded magnets, etc.

[Downeast Thunder]

Thanks for the suggestion - makes perfect sense, but I've never personally encountered that problem. Of course, I don't spend a lot of time at that station - I'm always moving around. I like the mobile desk so I can easily move it to various locations, but I will confess I still have a traditional "sit-down" desk as well.

I built another one of these with a few modifications and use it as a mobile tool cart - and idea taken from Adam Savage.

[mklotz]

Do you ever find yourself unconsciously "cheating" when using a standing desk, by leaning on the edge of the desk? I see this a lot, and have done it myself; it's terrible for your back.

One solution might be to place the computer or keyboard on a platform that completely covered the top of the standing desk. The platform could be vertically supported against a small amount of weight. If you pressed down too hard on the computer or the platform, the platform could drop a small amount in a controlled manner. Maybe 6 inches or so; just enough to make it too uncomfortable to continue, and of course the computer would have to be well-cushioned against the fall. Springs, shielded magnets, etc.

Another solution might be to place a strip of something uncomfortable to lean upon at the front edge of the desk.

When I built my rolloff defender, described here...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/one-liners-27189

I originally used a 3/8" square wood strip. I quickly realized that that was way too uncomfortable to lean on with your forearms while working and replaced it with foam weather stripping.

Such a wood strip might discourage leaning as well as preventing objects on the desktop from rolling off.