Well, we've completed a project. We found an art desk at a local thrift store with missing hardware. It appeared to be a good sturdy desk with nothing wrong with it for $12.00. We bought it and decided that trying to find the right allen bolts to fit would be a pain in the tail. We drilled new holes for bolts and put the legs back on with some spacers to make the bolts snug. We thought the wood was pine and discovered its a very dense hardwood of some sort.
We found the one crosspiece wasn't enough to make the desk very sturdy to we added a foot crosspiece and support boards from back of the legs to the cross piece in back. The thing is very stable and sturdy and just the right height for working crafts, working on a laptop or drawing. We're pleased with the end result.
This is the end result. Note the pieces from the legs to the crossbeam. This prevents the desk from swaying from side to side.
another angle showing the completed desk and how large the working top is. The small laminated piece at the top of the desk opens for quick access without opening the main part.
This is the crossbeam that we added for additional support for the desk and support for our feet. Just having them up slightly helps keep the circulation in the legs going and takes just a little bit of pressure off the lower spine.
Open desk - it has a lot of room inside.
