I've been looking around for adjustable height desks and it seems like you need to spend about $1000 just for a small beige/grey cubicle desk.

I'd like to build an adjustable desk based on a repurposed door or surplus countertop.

I've been trying to find a good mechanism to use for the lift. These trailer jacks seem like they are close:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... iler-jacks

The only problem is the jacks have a maximum travel of about 10-14". I'd like my desk to be adjustable about 24" or more.

Does anyone have a good idea for a different lift mechanism? Is anyone else interested in building one too?

Thanks,
Nate

How about worm gears and a motor or overhead wench?

A worm gear sounds cool. Do you know of any places to find a kit or something for cheap? The only ones I could find online were industrial grade things rated to lift a couple tons.

Not sure how good the idea is but, lead screws with a belt between them, possible multistart screws so they go faster, or just pulley's with a gearing difference. How much weight are you thinking would be involved? I looked at gas shocks as a balance for the weight of the table plus computer etc.

I'm going to buy some leadscrews soon, I can throw more in if you want some to use to prototype. These aren't multistart so a multiplier would be in order to reduce the number of turns you'd need to make, unless a motor's being used I guess.

On sale for $18.29 for 6 feet
Acme Roll Threaded Bars Thread Size: 5/8-8 Rotation: Right Hand Length Ft.: 6 Material: Oil Finish Steel
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAK ... PG=INLMK32

I would like to build one, I actually have an island / counter top I want to do this with.

Pete

While it is not the quietest motor in the world, a Garage Door opener door can be had on CraigsList often for free, and you can sometimes still get chain drives, but it is basically what you need out of the box.

non-motor solution

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00144763

Hey Pete,

I was hoping to find some kind of crank mechanism that I could just bolt on to a tabletop. Maybe I will have to learn about gears and stuff in order to get what I want. If you end up doing something with those rods I'd be up for helping out and copying your design. I think a few hundred pounds is probably all it would need to support for my needs.

That ikea table looks ok, but it looks like you'd have to clear off the table to adjust the height.

Update.
I ordered my lead screws for my CNC upgrade, I'll be getting 3, 3' 5/8" screws, two are for my Y axis, one is to cut in half and mess around with, it will be used for my Y axis mock up at some point too, but I'd also like to investigate the standing desk options. I'll be doing some research in my "Making Things Move" book.

If anyone wants to play around with a height adjustment hack let me know.

Pete