A modern industrial-style office desk featuring a natural wood top and sturdy black metal pipe legs, paired with a vintage metal chair and rustic decor.

September 27, 2024 PIPE DECOR

How To Build A DIY Industrial Pipe Desk: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to create your own industrial pipe desk? Whether you’re setting up your home office or just want a unique piece of furniture, this industrial pipe desk project is a perfect DIY adventure. It’s got all the industrial vibes you love, and it’s super easy to build!

In this guide, we’ll walk you through cleaning and sealing the pipes, assembling the legs, and installing the wood desk top. Let’s get started!

What You’ll Need

Here’s a quick list of the parts and tools you’ll need to build your industrial pipe desk:

Part	Description	Quantity
A	1” Flanges	8
B	1” Tees	4
C	6” Pipe	4
D	16” Pipe	4
E	16” Pipe	2
F	Wood Desk Top	1
G	Screws	16

Plus, don’t forget a drill or screwdriver to attach everything together.

Step 1: Clean and Seal Your Pipes (DO NOT SKIP!)

A pipe cleaning and sealing kit with degreaser, rust-preventing sealer, a foam brush, microfiber cloth, and gloves, designed to clean and protect metal pipes and fittings.

Before you start building, it’s essential to clean and seal your pipes. During manufacturing, iron pipe fittings are often coated with oil to prevent rust, so let’s get those pipes ready for action.

How to Clean:

1.Wash each pipe and fitting in warm, soapy water to remove the oil.

2.Rinse and dry thoroughly with a clean washcloth.

How to Seal:

You’ve got two ways to seal the pipes:

Option 1: Polyurethane Spray: Spray a light coat of matte or satin finish polyurethane, and let it dry.

Option 2: Finishing Wax: Rub finishing wax onto the pipes, wait 20 minutes, and then polish with a washcloth for a shiny look.

Step 2: Build the Pipe Desk Legs (It’s Easier Than It Looks)

Diagram showing the assembly of pipe legs for a desk.

Now it’s time to assemble those sturdy desk legs!

Assemble the Legs:

Take a 6” pipe and attach it to one end of a tee. Then, attach a 16” pipe to the other end of the tee. Repeat this for all four legs.

Connect the Legs:

Next, use 16” pipes to connect the pairs of legs by screwing one end of the pipe into a tee on one leg and the other end into the tee on the other leg. Now, your leg structure is ready to support your desktop.

Step 3: Attach the Desktop (The Fun Part!)

Diagram showing the recommended placement of flanges on the underside of the tabletop for proper assembly.

Now that you’ve got the legs ready, let’s attach the wood top.

Line Up the Flanges:

Flip your wooden desk top upside down and line up the flanges evenly underneath.

Drill It In:

Using your drill or screwdriver, attach the flanges to the underside of the desktop by driving screws through the flange holes. There’s no need to pre-drill, but go slow to avoid stripping the screws.

Level It Out:

If the desk feels a bit wobbly, simply adjust the flanges by loosening them slightly until your desk is perfectly level.

And You’re Done!

Office desk made with a wooden tabletop and industrial pipe legs, creating a modern and functional workspace.

Congratulations—you just built your own pipe office desk! Now you’ve got an industrial-style workspace that’s both stylish and functional. Whether you’re using it for work, study, or creative projects, your new desk is ready to be the star of your home office. Sit back, admire your work, and enjoy your new desk!

Ready for more DIY?

If you’re feeling inspired, head over to PIPE DECOR® for all your DIY needs. From industrial pipes and fittings to wooden tabletops and everything in between, we’ve got the tools and materials to help you create your next custom project. Explore our range of products and start building today!

Filed in: diy, info, inspiration, tutorial

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