How to Build Your Desk

At this point, you've realized that sitting in front of your computer all day is bad for your health and have decided to make some lifestyle changes. You did your research and you now have an electric desk boxed up in your office, waiting to be set up. 

There’s no need to be intimidated; standing desks are extremely user-friendly, making setting up a piece of cake. We know you’d prefer to spend more time working at your desk than working on setting it up. Between video tutorials, comprehensive instruction manuals and our general guide below, you’ll be using your desk in no time. 

Keep in mind that set up varies slightly in each model so use this general guide in addition to the included instructions. 

Getting Ready

Before you begin assembling your desk, ensure that you have all the necessary parts. Everything should be in the box but some models will have spares so familiarizing yourself with the parts is not a bad idea. The parts guide labels each part of the desk and can be found in the instruction manual.

Now is the time to collect tools, open video tutorials, call a friend to help and anything else you’ll need to get your desk set up. We suggest laying everything out in front of you in the area you’re putting your desk.   

Installing the Feet and Legs

The feet and legs are the supportive base of the electric sit-to-stand desk. If the feet are not attached to the legs correctly, the desk will be unstable and the legs may not move together. Make sure the legs are perpendicular to the ground. Each foot can be attached to a leg with 4 screws and an Allen key. 

Adjusting the Support Beam

The support beam will need to be loosened to extend to the length of your tabletop. If you haven’t picked a tabletop or are waiting for it to arrive, you can’t continue setting up yet. Measure the length of your tabletop and use the Allen key to extend the support beam (“long tube” or “support bar” in some models) to the appropriate length. 

Attach Sidebars

Sidebars are what hold up and support your tabletop. You can attach them to the top of each leg using two screws on each side. Use a wrench to tighten the screws and keep them in place.

Install the Hex Rod

The hex rod (“drive shaft” in some models) is a crucial component of your electric sit to stand desk. This piece ensures that the desk stays stable and sees that the leg that doesn’t have a motor, raises and lowers with the one that does. On a manual desk, the hex bar works with the hand crank to adjust the desk height. 

The hex rod attaches to the support beam and will need to be adjusted to the same length. 

Halfway Point

If you successfully completed the previous steps, congratulations! You should have a completed desk frame by now so the next few steps involve adding your tabletop and accessories. Take a stretching break if you need it and then read on below for the last few steps. 

Tabletop Installation

Be aware that our desk table tops do not have pre-drilled holes. We’re not trying to make things harder for you, we are just giving you the full range of possibilities. 

This means you can customize the positioning of the top on your frame and add accessories like CPU holders or keyboard trays. 

After placing the top on your desk frame (typically in the centre), use the provided wood screws and your drill to secure the desktop at all four corners. Here are a few things to consider when installing the tabletop: 

• Some tabletops, such as the one included with this desk, can create a lot of dust when drilled into. The wood in some laminate tops is soft enough for a hole to be created with moderate pressure and a screwdriver. 
•  When centering the top, ensure that it extends off both sides of the frame at the same length (recommended equidistance is 2" from the tabletop edge).
• Place 1-2 layers of tape down before drilling a hole in an epoxy section of a river tabletop to prevent cracking.  
• Ask us about adding grommet holes to veneer, solid wood and river tabletops. 
• Play this video for detailed instructions! 

Attaching the Control Box and Handset

The control box and handset power your desk’s movements and are the final pieces to be installed. On some models the control box is screwed directly into the tabletop and on others, is kept off the floor by a control box holder (baffle). 

Next up is the handset. The handset is fixed directly to the tabletop on all models for easy access and height adjustment. Make sure you place the handset and control box on the right side of your desk (applies to the manual desk as well)! The right leg is the one with the motor.

On a dual-motor desk, the handset can be placed on either side. Once you connect the control box and handset to an outlet, your desk should be ready to use!

Here are a few special tips for your electric desk assembly:

• It is best to assemble an electric sit-to-stand desk from the bottom up. Going the other way will only cause problems. Save yourself the trouble by building your desk from feet to top. The instructions that come with your desk will show you how to build the desk in this order. 

• Take care to protect the wires and manage them properly. Your desk could stop working if the control or handset wires are damaged. Cable ties are an excellent way to keep your cables neat and tidy. You’ll find some in the box for most models but they can also be ordered online if you need more. They can be attached directly to the tabletop with screws or with the included adhesive backing.

Conclusion

Even if you’ve never assembled anything before, putting together one of our desks should be easy. Most people are able to put one together in under an hour!

We are available to answer all of your questions so give us a call at 1.800.267.1783 or click here to send us an email!