5 ms·

There is something symbolic about something impractical and expensive becoming a symbol for practicality and frugality. There was a recent post on HN about a s

by aneth4 14y ago

There is something symbolic about something impractical and expensive becoming a symbol for practicality and frugality. There was a recent post on HN about a startup in Seattle spending loads of time to build door desks, an apparent attempt to emulate Amazon. Perhaps purchasing ergonomic desks for a reasonable price and no time sink would be a better strategy than these clunkers.

vonmoltke 14y ago
Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but I have never been able to find heavy-duty desks at a reasonable price, except for the old-fashioned sit in the middle, drawers on the side design. I've built my variants of the door desk at home specifically because they were cheaper than the alternatives, even the cheap particle board desks fro the big box stores. My variant is to lay two 2x4s across either two filing cabinets or sawhorses, then put two 2'x4' sheets of 5/8" or 3/4" MDF on top of the studs. Cheap[1], toolless[2], and portable[2]. My current variant is a little more elaborate, since I wanted a corner desk, but fundamentally the same architecture. [1] The sawhorse version costs less than $50 [2] Nothing is attached
- codeonfire 14y ago
  You can get a laminated 8' folding table nicely finished with a steel frame for $80 new that will hold at least 1000 lbs and doesn't have to be taken apart. i actually got one for $50 new a few years ago. I tried lots of lumber yard solutions, too until I realized there is a superior engineered solution.
  - vonmoltke 14y ago
    That was what I originally wanted, but I haven't seen any around Dallas that strong for less than ~$150. I probably would have been fine with a regular (but no el cheapo) folding table, but I have a tendency to overbuild things.
    - aneth4 14y ago
      So, $150... vs. $50 and several hours of labor and cleanup. The issue is not really the money. I suppose there is a positive in the pride of workmanship and if someone is handy and feels like doing this - have at it. The monetary savings don't seem worthwhile. If they exist, they are purely symbolic - at least for a company that can afford to pay rent.
    - codeonfire 14y ago
      These are solid and $80-$90, rated for 600 lbs, seats 8 people or 8 machines. http://www.officemax.com/office-furniture/tables/folding-tables/product-prod3360130 http://www.officemax.com/office-furniture/tables/folding-tab... http://www.staples.com/Staples-8-Folding-Melamine-Banquet-Tables/product_885759 http://www.staples.com/Staples-8-Folding-Melamine-Banquet-Ta...
  - jonhendry 14y ago
    Problems (IMHO) with folding tables: 1. The metal reinforcement underneath the tabletop, around the perimeter, would interfere if you wanted to install a keyboard tray. 2. The collapsible diagonal metal struts that reinforce the legs reduce the usable space underneath the table somewhat. You may not be able to fit a filing cabinet (or small rack, or tower PC with hard drives on top, etc) under a folding desk near either end, because of the struts.
bill-nordwall 14y ago
Was it this one? http://www.geekwire.com/2012/lean-technical-chose-furnished-startup-office-ycombinator/ http://www.geekwire.com/2012/lean-technical-chose-furnished-...

by aneth4 14y ago

vonmoltke 14y ago

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but I have never been able to find heavy-duty desks at a reasonable price, except for the old-fashioned sit in the middle, drawers on the side design. I've built my variants of the door desk at home specifically because they were cheaper than the alternatives, even the cheap particle board desks fro the big box stores. My variant is to lay two 2x4s across either two filing cabinets or sawhorses, then put two 2'x4' sheets of 5/8" or 3/4" MDF on top of the studs. Cheap[1], toolless[2], and portable[2]. My current variant is a little more elaborate, since I wanted a corner desk, but fundamentally the same architecture. [1] The sawhorse version costs less than $50 [2] Nothing is attached

codeonfire 14y ago
You can get a laminated 8' folding table nicely finished with a steel frame for $80 new that will hold at least 1000 lbs and doesn't have to be taken apart. i actually got one for $50 new a few years ago. I tried lots of lumber yard solutions, too until I realized there is a superior engineered solution.
- vonmoltke 14y ago
  That was what I originally wanted, but I haven't seen any around Dallas that strong for less than ~$150. I probably would have been fine with a regular (but no el cheapo) folding table, but I have a tendency to overbuild things.
  - aneth4 14y ago
    So, $150... vs. $50 and several hours of labor and cleanup. The issue is not really the money. I suppose there is a positive in the pride of workmanship and if someone is handy and feels like doing this - have at it. The monetary savings don't seem worthwhile. If they exist, they are purely symbolic - at least for a company that can afford to pay rent.
  - codeonfire 14y ago
    These are solid and $80-$90, rated for 600 lbs, seats 8 people or 8 machines. http://www.officemax.com/office-furniture/tables/folding-tables/product-prod3360130 http://www.officemax.com/office-furniture/tables/folding-tab... http://www.staples.com/Staples-8-Folding-Melamine-Banquet-Tables/product_885759 http://www.staples.com/Staples-8-Folding-Melamine-Banquet-Ta...
- jonhendry 14y ago
  Problems (IMHO) with folding tables: 1. The metal reinforcement underneath the tabletop, around the perimeter, would interfere if you wanted to install a keyboard tray. 2. The collapsible diagonal metal struts that reinforce the legs reduce the usable space underneath the table somewhat. You may not be able to fit a filing cabinet (or small rack, or tower PC with hard drives on top, etc) under a folding desk near either end, because of the struts.

bill-nordwall 14y ago

Was it this one? http://www.geekwire.com/2012/lean-technical-chose-furnished-startup-office-ycombinator/ http://www.geekwire.com/2012/lean-technical-chose-furnished-...