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Comment by mixmastamyk | Hacker News Reader

I'd like to convert to a standing desk, but the prices are ridiculous. I don't need a motor and am not paying $795-1500 for a plank of wood and four metal legs. I'll build the thing myself before I go that route.

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Took my standard oak desk, bought $5 in cinder blocks and some MDF (even had homedepot cut it to the footprint of the desk bases) and that was it. Insta-standup-desk for like $30 and all my drawers are standup height also, which you don't get if you do what some people do and just put a riser on top of their desk.

$10 at homedepot, works like a champ: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/standingdesk1.jpg/

Thanks guys. I'm willing to spend a few bucks for something that looks nice, just dont want to get swindled. Gonna try a foldable drafting desk I think. Will blog the results.

I use a tall Fermob bistro table with a laptop.

It's $315 and is much classier than the cheap drafting desks. I also use it outside on the deck in the summer.

http://www.frenchbistrofurniture.com/product/F-0250/Fermob-F...

Also, a four-drawer dresser is about the same height as the table above. They are very easy to find at flea markets or estate sales for next to nothing, and are perfect for standing with a laptop.

I like the color, but it doesn't look very sturdy. Maybe the photo doesn't do it justice though. I was thinking of this one, what do you think?

http://www.amazon.com/Alvin-Folding-Drafting-Woodgrain-Round...

I know those drafting tables well, as I once was a wannabe illustrator. They are ok, but you are paying a premium for the ability to adjust it into a non-flat drawing surface. There's also a lot of extra space that you don't need if you're just using it as a laptop. Honestly, if it didn't have the adjustable top, it should cost about $30 at IKEA. They are easy to find on craigslist in big cities, though.

Regarding the bistro table, I would say it's about 20% more stable than you would expect. Pretty good for a laptop. I wouldn't put a 27" iMac on it, though.

I put 6 cinder blocks under my ikea galant corner desk. Works perfectly and cost about $8 from home depot.

I got a Fredrik from Ikea for next to nothing. http://i.imgur.com/kCpLZ.jpg

The desk surface can be mounted at various heights.

Thanks. I saw that one but I measured myself and it looks like I need it to go to about 42", fred only goes to 38".

That is incorrect, my Fred can go all the way to the top (60"+)

Hmm, the model I found on their site said 38 and change. Perhaps there is another model? I don't see another one.

They just say that but in fact you can mount the desk anywhere. They assume you'll mount the 2 smaller surfaces above the main one but I mounted them underneath. The side rails have uniformly shaped mounting holes along the entire surface, top to bottom.

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