- 1). Lay a piece of plywood on a flat surface. Use the industrial ruler to create a rectangular surface for your desk. Ensure that the width and depth of the desktop fit into the target location.
- 2). Cut the rectangular surface from the plywood sheet with a circular saw. Move carefully down each of the lines, ensuring that you create straight cuts. The more precise your work with the circular saw, the more well built your desk.
- 3). Determine how high you want your desktop. Sit down in your desk chair and measure the distance between the top of your legs to the ground. Make sure the height is tall enough for your legs to fit comfortably underneath the desktop but low enough for your hands to use the desk comfortably.
- 4). Place another plywood sheet on a flat surface. Measure using the width of your rectangular surface and your chosen height to create a rectangle. Cut out this shape from the plywood sheet. This piece represents the rear of your desk from the user's vantage.
- 5). Place another plywood sheet in front of you. Use the depth and height dimensions to create two sides for your desk. If you are able to cut both rectangles from the same sheet of plywood, it will save you money. Cut with the circular saw, carefully guiding the saw down each line.
- 6). Measure the intended height of each of the 4 wooden landscape ties. These wood lanscape ties are similar to railroad ties in appearance but much lighter and flattened on each end. Cut the excess wood with the circular saw. Set each of these ties next to each other to ensure that they are the same height. These are the four legs of your desk.
- 7). Set the desktop face down on the ground before you, making sure that the work surface is completely flat. Place a landscape tie at each corner of the plywood sheet. Secure each leg to the plywood with 2 L-brackets using an electric drill.
- 8). Stand your desk on its legs. Make sure there is no wobble, ensuring that the legs are all perfectly even. Attach the back of the desk using 4 screws down each side of the landscape ties. Attach the two sides of your desk with screws.
- 9). Paint your desk to create a customized look. Let the paint completely dry, then apply a coat of wood finish to preserve and protect the surface.
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