2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 1/13

Like You and 135,312

others like this.

OTHERSTUFF >>DOWNLOAD MEDIA KIT

ADVERTISE, PR AND

DISCLOSURE

HELP CONVERTING PLANS

TO METRIC

CAN I SELL FURNITURE

FROM YOUR PLANS?

FURNITURE

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

CONTACT ANA WHITE

TERMS OF SERVICE

PLEASE READ DISCLAIMER

MEMBER TO-DO LIST

PRESS AND MEDIA

$55 FANCY X DESK

POSTED BY ANA WHITE

Handmade by:

onehandymom

Handmade by:

maineiac

Handmade by:

onehandclappin

AUGUST 27, 2012 | 27 COMMENTS

PDF version

Free plans to build a Fancy X Desk with just $55 in building materials!

HANDMADE FROM THIS PLAN >>PROJECTS BUILT FROM THIS PLAN. THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING BRAG POSTS, IT'S APPRECIATED BY ALL!

1 2 3 4 › »

ABOUT PROJECT

Author Notes:

RECENT COMMENTSI know what you mean!

I have3 sec ago

Looks really good!7 min 21 sec ago

I found these plans a

few13 min 15 sec ago

Thank you! I have

learned so1 hour 26 min ago

WOW Extremely nice I

am from5 hours 51 min ago

looks amazing!6 hours 1 min ago

That's an excellent

idea!6 hours 7 min ago

Altering sizes the

easy way8 hours 45 min ago

1x12, or 2x12?9 hours 18 min ago

McGuyver!11 hours 4 min ago

HOME PLANS BRAGS FINISHES VIDEOS MOMPLEX FORUM ABOUT ANA NOTMUCH BLOGROLL #FF SHOP MAIL BAG

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 2/13

Hi Friends!!!

Do you remember a bit back when our friend Whitney from

Shanty2Chic built this amazing Fancy X Table?

Well, she loved it so much, she asked me to make a desk plan too!

Here's from Whitney:

I was in need of a new 'blogging' desk for my bedroom, but

couldn't find exactly what I wanted. I love my fancy

farmhouse table, and knew just who to call to help me draw up a

desk inspired by that look. I was wanting something functional,

but also pretty since it will be in my bedroom. I think it is perfect.

I made it in just a couple hours, and spent less than $55 in

wood... Woohoo! Thanks so much for working with me on this

Ana!

And since many of you loved it so much, we of course are sharing

the plans with you!

But please, stop over and check out the details on Whitney's Fancy

X Desk build and tons more photos here!

Enjoy the plans!

DIMENSIONS

Dimensions:

Dimensions: Dimensions are shown above.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

Shopping List:

5 – 2x4 @ 8 feet long

1 – 1x4 @ 8 feet long

2 – 2x12 @ 6 feet long OR 4 – 2x6 @ 6 feet long

2 ½” wood screws for countersinking

2 ½” PH screws

Tools:

measuring tape

square

pencil

safety glasses

hearing protection

Kreg Jig™

drill

compound miter saw

sander

countersink drill bit

Like You and 135,312

others like this.

LET'SCONNECT

TWEETS

MY BOOK!

It's finally here! Get all the details on

my first book,releasing October 9th, 2012!

SEARCH

SOCIAL

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 3/13

CUT LIST

Cut List:

2 – 2x4 @ 20”

4 – 1x4 @ 18”

8 – 2x4 @ 10 ¾” (long point to long point, both ends cut NOT

parallel at 45 degrees off square)

4 – 2x4 @ 21” ¾” (long point to long point, both ends cut NOT

parallel at 45 degrees off square)

4 – 2x4 @ 21”

4 – 1x4 @ 3 ½”

3 – 2x4 @ 59”

2 – 2x4 @ 30 3/8” ¾” (long point to short point, both ends cut

parallel at 45 degrees off square)

2 – 2x12 @ 72” OR 4 2x6 @ 72”

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before

beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting

Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and

smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or

debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each

step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue

with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare

wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe,

have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

STEP 1

Start off by making two giant Is.

STEP 2

USERNAME: *

PASSWORD: *

USER LOGIN

LOG IN USING OPENID

CREATE NEW ACCOUNT REQUEST NEW PASSWORD

NOT MUCH >>WHAT'S GOING ON UP HERE IN ALASKA.

1 of 5 ››

MOST VIEWED PLANSNew here? Check out our most popular free,

step by step furniture plans.

Laundry Basket Dresser Farmhouse Table

Momplex Cam >>WE ARE DIYING OUR MOMS A DUPLEX IN ALASKA! CHECK

OUT OUR PROGRESS SO FAR AS WE OWNER BUILD A HOME,

STEP BY STEP. READ THE MOMPLEX BLOG HERE.

1 of 17 ››

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 4/13

And then add the bracing with the countersink bit.

STEP 3

Followed by the top and bottom, ends mitered.

STEP 4

And then an easy step, just glue and screw the 2x4s on top. It's

the stacking that makes these legs so beautiful!

STEP 5

How to Build a LoftBed

Flip Down Wall ArtDesk

Ten Dollar Ledges Simple OutdoorDining Table

Sausha’s Washer/DryerPedestals

Farmhouse QueenPlans

Reclaimed-WoodHeadboard, Queen Size

Storage Sofa

$10 Cedar RaisedGarden Beds

Storage Daybed

ACTIVE FORUM TOPICSFemale-friendly power tools or tools

for small hands

Plantation Shutters!

how to finish something? trydell

coffee table

Locking hardware for sewing table

letter shelf/bookcase

Great Hardware Company

Shrinking Wood

need storage bed frame

Fabulous Storage Bed with Dresser

Footboard - King

Pocket Holes???

more

MEMBERS OF OUR SITEBecome a Member (it's free and easy!)

Your Account

Logout

View Your To-Do List

Contribute a Brag Post

Contribute a Project Plan

Blog About Building

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 5/13

And then the feet.

TIP: If you desk wobbles at all, just add cork pads under the feet.

STEP 6

Now it's starting to look like a desk!

STEP 7

Now add the cross bracing ...

STEP 8

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 6/13

DESK , CRAFTROOM , LIVING ROOM , OFFICE , INTERMEDIATE ,

FARMHOUSE

PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION Login or register to post comments

SEND BY EMAIL TweetTweet 3 Like 67 PDF version

Save settings

And finally the top! If you are using pocket holes, I recommend

building top first, and then attaching top to base. Also, you could

substitute out plywood for the top for a smoother writing surface.

FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS

Preparation Instructions:

Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood

filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in

the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum

sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue

on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth. It is

always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap

piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood

conditioner as needed.

May I Suggest a Finish?

Distressed Turquoise

with Chocolate Glaze

Whitewash Stained

Finish

Weathered Pine Stain

1 of 5 ››

‹ previous

81 of 750

next ›

27 Comments

COMMENT VIEWING OPTIONS

Threaded list - expanded

Date - oldest first

90 comments per page

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click

"Save settings" to activate your changes.

Wow.

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 7/13

I really love this one . . . I wonder if a set of square

3.5" "bun" feet would push this over the top to

astounding. I LOVE it as it is, though.

(Like maybe some of these?

http://www.osbornewood.com/Square-Feet.cfm)

It is not necessary to

change. Survival is not

mandatory. -- W. Edwards

Deming

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by annalea | on Mon, 2012-08-27 13:17

lovely!

I loooove this plan! I am needing a craft table and

this would look perfect! If I wanted to increase the

height to make it more appropriate for crafting use

would I increase the height of the cross bars and

legs by the same measurement?

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by townsean | on Mon, 2012-08-27 13:36

The more I think about

The more I think about it...it would end up

widening the table as well :(

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by townsean | on Mon, 2012-08-27 14:31

At a glance, I think you

At a glance, I think you could adjust the height of

the center straight 2x4 on the end, then cut your

angled 2x4's accordingly, without widening your

base. You will need mitre saw. Good luck!

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Q (not verified) | on Sat, 2012-11-24 00:10

That's it!!! My anniversary present to hubbster!

I'm buying the materials TODAY and starting on

this. I'm not even joking. This is PERFECT! I've

been trying to modify the Rustic X console into a

computer table but it just wasn't looking right.

This is bang-on. Way to go ladies!

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by smacneil | on Mon, 2012-08-27 13:56

Great Lathe Stand as well.

Great plan Ana, i plan to make this one as a stand

for an old Lathe i was recently been given, if i

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 8/13

thicken everything up it should be stable i think.

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Warren (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-08-28 01:42

question... I don't get the measurement here

"2 – 2x4 @ 30 3/8” ¾” (long point to short

point,..."

30 3/8" at parallel 45deg I get... but what's the

3/4" long to short point?

(see, I wasn't kidding... I'm cutting right now! LOL)

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by smacneil | on Tue, 2012-08-28 08:33

How to Attach Top

I have now found my Labor Day Weekend project!

And just in time to be completed for this

semester's first round of tests!

But I did have one question, what would be the

best way to attach the top? I have a pocket hole kit

- I would obviously use that to attach the table top

pieces together, so would I add pocket holes to the

inside of the top piece attached in step 4?

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by The-Crafty-Cowgirl | on Tue, 2012-08-28 19:23

note... might want to get 1 extra 2x4

I'm not sure if it's because I am not advanced

enough in my cut planning but I ran short of 2x4. I

got one more to cover what's left.

Also, for the Canadians reading this, as always

make sure you adjust the plans for your local

dimensions. Our studs are not the same dims as in

the USA.

I finished a dry-fitting assembly of mine (minus the

back cross supports whose dimensions I haven't

yet worked out) and it built very well.

I had to go with 2x6s for the top and some of

them worped by the time I got to them. other than

a planer does anyone have any ideas on how I

could straighten them?

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by smacneil | on Tue, 2012-08-28 20:04

Flattening warped boards

You could buy a power planer for four or five

hundred dollars, but a jack plane can be picked up

for a hundred or two hundred dollars new, and

significantly less used. There are lots of good

articles and videos out there on using hand planes

to flatten boards.

Be warned that you'll also need to learn to sharpen

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 9/13

a plane blade, which won't ship to you properly

sharpened for board flattening. It's not hard, and I

was able to pick up a good oil stone sharpening set

at Lowes for less than $30.

Once you learn to use a plane you'll be very glad

about the new things you can do.

UPDATE: yesterday afternoon I had a chance to

check out Mastering Hand Tools DVD. The price is

really good, and the section on the Jack Plane

(a.k.a. world's widest jointer) has everything you

need about how to flatten boards, including show

to sharpen the plane properly.

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by claydowling | on Fri, 2012-08-31 06:04

Thanks!

Thanks for all the info claydowling! I will definitely

look into that!

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by smacneil | on Sat, 2012-09-01 20:25

According to the cut list,

According to the cut list, there are 4- 2x4's cut at

21 3/4 long point to long point, but according to

the drawing of how the desk is built, those pieces

should be just 21" I think. I am building it right

now, and it's not working out just right because of

that. I'll need to go do some recutting.

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Crystal A (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-08-30 12:05

Love the table!

I actually made myself the original plans but had

shorten it a bit and used 4 2x8's for the top and

moved the brace towards the back, and am using it

in my office (30" deep). Love how the top was

reinforced with an extra 2x4, that's what missing

on mine.

Also, I attached everything together using metal

corner type braces so I can take everything apart

easily since it doesn't fit through my doorwar or

hallway to the office. I know PH's would have

worked well for this too, but figured the holes from

screws/brackets would be less visible than PH's

since everything is cheapo studs stained to a

beautiful walnut!

Love your work Ana, keep them coming :) [Soon I'll

have an Ana White house lol]

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Milca (not verified) | on Sat, 2012-09-01 16:01

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 10/13

Love this desk!

I was planning to build the Sawhorse Desk for my

daughter's room renovation, but this has much

cleaner lines and will grow with her better. Any

ideas how to adjust the back angle brackets if I

make the desk only 48" wide? I can adjust the

angle, I'm just not sure that would look best...

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by buffy0506 | on Wed, 2012-09-05 05:44

Keep the angle?

I like the angle that's there. How about keeping the

angle the same and just adding a pair of uprights?

In my mind it looks great, but of course, my mind

is a weird little place. Before you build it, try a

drawing, because it's not like I've actually tried this.

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by claydowling | on Wed, 2012-09-05 19:49

Angles!

I know, I really like the look as it is - I'll definitely

draw it out first, but I think I might end up with a

3rd X for the back. Wish I had more room to build

it as specified, but for a small bedroom space is

tight.

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by buffy0506 | on Thu, 2012-09-06 08:26

Love it! I built it this

Love it! I built it this weekend... The only issue with

the original plan is that "4 – 2x4 @ 21” ¾” (long

point to long point, both ends cut NOT parallel at

45 degrees off square)" needs to be 21" not 21

3/4"

It came out great though!! Thanks!

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Steve LaVoise (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-09-10 12:49

Do you think it would be

Do you think it would be possible to widen the

table top by 5-10" without compromising the

stability?

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Meagan (not verified) | on Fri, 2012-09-28 03:07

6, 2x4 are needed

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 11/13

You need 6, 2x4x8. If you add up the 2x4 material

list your still way to short with 5 of them

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by D_arren (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-10-09 11:32

6, 2x4 are needed

You need 6, 2x4x8. If you add up the 2x4 material

list your still way to short with 5 of them

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Logan (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-10-09 11:34

Hi, I like this plan very

Hi,

I like this plan very much. But I wonder if using

2x2's in place of the 2x4's would suffice and be

strong enough? Any thoughts?

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Lianna (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-10-09 19:06

$55 Fancy X Desk

I am using to 2x12s for the top. The plan only

shows two 2x4s for the top support. One 2x4 is

shown at the rear with a 1 1/2" inset. Should the

other 2x4 be at the rear of the front 2x12?

Also, how are the 2x12s attached at the sides.

Thanks

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by John Rasmussen (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-10-16 16:54

Slight Modification

I needed a large computer/drawing table with lots

of surface so I swiped you leg/base design for this

and substituted an old hollow-core door as the

desktop and trimmed its sides out with some

doorstop to give it a nicer edge and more finished

look and to cover the slight indentations from the

the hinge cutouts. Also the hole from the doorknob

is ideal for feeding cords through. The leg

dimensions needed to be altered slightly to fit the

wider top and some more center structure was

added to support any weight. Huge thanks for the

design and inspiration!

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Christian W (not verified) | on Sat, 2012-12-01 18:58

I find my self having to make

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 12/13

Save settings

COMMENT VIEWING OPTIONS

Threaded list - expanded

Date - oldest first

90 comments per page

Select your preferred way to display the comments

and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

I find my self having to make a lot of changes to

the plans. I know this could be due the nature of

how construction grade lumber is cut, but

sometimes it seems really off, oh well it could just

be me :-P but thank you so much for your effort.

This will be the 2nd plan I build for my wife!

Hopefully I can get some good pictures of both

soon! Thank you again!

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Danny Bartsch (not verified) | on Sat, 2012-12-08 16:10

Can i easily shorten this desk?

I LOVE this desk, but it is going into space that is

60" wide. Will it be easy to shorten it from 72" to

60" without much of a problem? (I realize the cross

bracing lengths and the boards connecting the

sides will need to be sized down -- does anyone

have any suggestions for doing that easily?) This

will be my first build, so I'm seeking input before I

start next week! Thanks so much!

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by AlyssaWalters6 (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-12-27 20:03

I LOVE this desk! My husband

I LOVE this desk! My husband built me the Fancy X

table and benches for our dining room and this is

the perfect style desk for my craft room! This site

rocks! Thank you for the great plans!

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by Cheyanne (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-12-27 21:36

Here is a link to my brag

Here is a link to my brag post for this plan! If I can

do this, YOU TOTALLY CAN!!

http://ana-white.com/2013/01/my-first-build-55-

fancy-x-desk

LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST COMMENTS

posted by AlyssaWalters6 | on Mon, 2013-01-07 14:31

2/7/13 Ana White | Build a $55 Fancy X Desk | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

ana-white.com/2012/08/plans/55-fancy-x-desk 13/13

Like You and 135,312 others like this.

88K+