Materials Needed to Build Your Pipe Desk
Before starting this industrial steel pipe desk tutorial, make sure you have the basic supplies and tools listed below; everything else (fittings and pipes) is detailed further down.
- Plumbing fittings (full list in the next section)
- ¾” threaded black or galvanized steel plumbing pipes (see proposed lengths)
- Wood screws — plan for 1 to 3 screws per mounting flange: see our recommendation
- A power drill (or, failing that, a suitable screwdriver) to attach the flanges to the desktop
- Finishing products: acetone to degrease, paint, varnish, patina, or wax depending on your preference
General Principle of the ¾" Steel Pipe Desk Structure
| Component | HomeInvasion SKU | Qty | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid flanges or couplings + plastic inserts | ¾” Solid Flange ¾” Equal Coupling |
4 | Base of each leg |
| Lower vertical pipes | ¾” Steel Pipe | 4 | Between the base and the Tee |
| Equal Tee F-F-F | ¾” Black Cast Iron Tee | 2 | Front / inner connection |
| 4-Way Tee Fitting | ¾” 4-Way Fitting | 2 | Rear / outer connection |
| Horizontal pipes | ¾” Steel Pipe | 3 | Depth × 2 & central bar × 1 |
| Upper vertical pipes | ¾” Steel Pipe | 4 | Between Tee / 4-way fitting and floor flange |
| Floor flanges (desktop mounting) | ¾” Floor Flange | 4 | Anchoring the desktop |
To build an industrial black steel pipe desk (also known as a "pipe desk"), we exclusively use ¾” (20 × 27 mm) black cast iron fittings and threaded pipes, known for their sturdiness and loft aesthetic. Larger diameters are also possible (1" – 34 mm, 1 ¼" – 42 mm, or more), but it's primarily an aesthetic choice: the ¾” – 27 mm size already provides all the necessary strength for this purpose.
Each leg consists of six key elements: a floor flange, a vertical black steel pipe, an equal tee, a 4-way tee fitting, a second vertical pipe, and finally, a solid flange to stabilize the assembly—or, alternatively, a coupling if you prefer its more discreet look. Three horizontal pipes—two for the depth and one for the width—connect the two legs, creating a frame that is both rigid and stylish. Since all threads are identical, assembly is straightforward; however, you can also mix diameters by adding reducer couplings or bushings (for example, making the legs thicker than the crossbars). The raw finish can be left as is or painted, patinated, varnished, or waxed to match your decor. This metal base can then be paired with any desktop (reclaimed solid wood, a countertop, an old door, etc.) for a personalized and ultra-sturdy DIY desk.
Choosing Your Dimensions: Height, Width, and Depth
Before selecting the lengths of your ¾” steel pipes, keep these basic formulas in mind:
- Theoretical Height
• Coupling base:70 mm + (lower pipe + upper pipe)
• Solid flange base:45 mm + (lower pipe + upper pipe) - Effective Distance (between the centerlines of Tee ↔ 4-way fitting or 4-way fitting ↔ 4-way fitting):
80 mm + pipe length - Overall Width or Depth: add + 2 cm of flange overhang on each side (for a total of + 4 cm).
The Tee (at the front) or the 4-way fitting (at the back) each add 40 mm of threaded length; this is what makes up the "80 mm" in the formula above. The flanges themselves overhang by 20 mm on each side.
1 / Recommended Heights
Ergonomic Guidelines
- Up to 1.65 m (5'5"): desk between 600 and 650 mm
- 1.65 m → 1.75 m (5'5" → 5'9"): desk between 650 and 740 mm
- 1.75 m → 2 m (5'9" → 6'7"): desk between 750 and 900 mm
- Standing desk: desktop placed at elbow height (≈ 950 - 1100 mm depending on the person)
Indicative Heights by User Height (Children & Adults)
| User Height | Desktop Height |
|---|---|
| 80 - 95 cm | 400 mm |
| 93 - 116 cm | 460 mm |
| 108 - 121 cm | 530 mm |
| 119 - 142 cm | 590 mm |
| 133 - 159 cm | 640 mm |
| < 165 cm | 600 - 650 mm |
| 165 - 175 cm | 650 - 740 mm |
| 175 - 200 cm | 750 - 900 mm |
Example Pipe Combinations
(frame only + assuming a 30 mm desktop)
| Base | Lower Pipe (mm) |
Upper Pipe (mm) |
Frame Height (mm) |
Final Height (frame + 30 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupling | 150 | 150 | 70 + 150 + 150 = 370 | 400 mm |
| Flange | 180 | 180 | 45 + 180 + 180 = 405 | 435 mm |
| Coupling | 180 | 250 | 70 + 180 + 250 = 500 | 530 mm |
| Coupling | 250 | 250 | 70 + 250 + 250 = 570 | 600 mm |
| Coupling | 250 | 300 | 70 + 250 + 300 = 620 | 650 mm |
| Coupling | 300 | 300 | 70 + 300 + 300 = 670 | 700 mm |
| Flange | 300 | 300 | 45 + 300 + 300 = 645 | 675 mm |
| Coupling | 400 | 300 | 70 + 400 + 300 = 770 | 800 mm |
| Coupling | 400 | 400 | 70 + 400 + 400 = 870 | 900 mm |
Asymmetrical tip: mixing upper/lower pipe lengths moves the crossbar. E.g.: 150 mm lower pipe + 400 mm upper pipe + coupling base = 620 mm (650 mm with a 30 mm top).
2 / Possible Widths
| Pipe (mm) | Effective Distance (between fittings) |
Overall Width | Suggested Desktop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 | 780 mm | 820 mm | 900 - 1000 mm |
| 800 | 880 mm | 920 mm | 1000 - 1100 mm |
| 900 | 980 mm | 1020 mm | 1100 - 1200 mm |
| 1000 | 1080 mm | 1120 mm | 1200 - 1400 mm |
| 1200 | 1280 mm | 1320 mm | 1400 - 1600 mm |
| 1500 | 1580 mm | 1620 mm | 1700 - 1800 mm |
| 2000 | 2080 mm | 2120 mm | 2200 mm + |
Need a custom width? Screw two pipes together end-to-end with an equal coupling: total length = pipe 1 + pipe 2 + 10 mm (for the coupling's thread engagement).
3 / Recommended Depths
| Pipe (mm) | Effective Distance | Overall Depth | Suitable Desktop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 380 mm | 420 mm | 450 - 500 mm |
| 400 | 480 mm | 520 mm | 550 - 600 mm |
| 500 | 580 mm | 620 mm | 650 - 700 mm |
| 600 | 680 mm | 720 mm | 750 - 800 mm |
| 700 | 780 mm | 820 mm | 850 - 900 mm |
Materials and Ideas for the Desktop (Not Included)
Once the pipe structure is assembled, all that's left is to choose a desktop that suits your style and needs. Here are six easy-to-find or repurpose ideas:
- Solid wood: edge-glued oak, beech, or pine for a warm and durable finish.
- Kitchen countertop: laminate or butcher block, ready to use and available in wide formats.
- Plywood or MDF: easy to paint, varnish, or cover with a decorative veneer for a modern look.
- Valchromat / Compact Laminate: a through-colored or high-density panel, ideal for a clean, contemporary style.
- Recycled shelves or doors: salvage an old interior door or a thick shelf, sand it down, and give it a new life.
- Planed pallet boards: minimal budget, guaranteed rustic look after sanding and assembling on battens.
Recommended thickness: 25 to 40 mm to prevent sagging, especially over wide spans. Simply attach each floor flange to the desktop with wood screws appropriate for the chosen thickness, after positioning and centering the frame.
For finishing, you can leave the wood raw for a natural patina or apply: colorless hardwax oil, matte varnish, tinted wood stain, or beeswax, depending on the desired effect. Also, consider adding felt pads under the flanges or plastic inserts into the couplings to protect your floor and make leveling easier.
Step-by-Step Assembly Guide for Your Desk
- Dry-fit pre-assembly
Hand-tighten all the fittings; adjust the angle of the Tees and 4-way fittings to ensure everything is perfectly aligned. For a reliable, tight seal, follow our detailed tutorial: how to screw threaded plumbing fittings and pipes. - Assembling each leg
- Attach the base: coupling or solid flange.
- Screw in the lower vertical pipe.
- Add the Tee (front side) or the 4-way fitting (rear side).
- Screw in the upper vertical pipe.
- Finish with the floor flange that will support the desktop.
- Horizontal connection
- Screw the two depth pipes between the Tee and the 4-way fitting.
- Screw the central width bar between the two 4-way fittings (or between the two Tees, depending on your configuration).
- Leveling
Place the frame on the floor; if necessary, slightly unscrew a coupling or flange to correct the alignment. Add felt pads or plastic inserts under each base to protect the floor and compensate for any irregularities. - Attaching the desktop
- Flip the desktop upside down and place the frame on it, centered correctly (with the desired overhang).
- Mark the locations; drill Ø 3 mm pilot holes.
- Screw in appropriate wood screws into each floor flange.
- Finishing touches
- Fittings: degrease with acetone, then apply a varnish for ferrous metals, a "gunmetal" patina, paint (black or a RAL color), or clear wax. For varnish and paint, application with a spray gun or aerosol can is recommended.
- Wooden desktop: hardwax oil, polyurethane varnish, wax, wood stain, or stain + varnish.
5. Customizing & Optimizing Your Desk
- Cable Management: insert a Ø 60 mm cable grommet into the desktop or use black zip ties along the pipes to guide power strips and chargers.
- Industrial Casters (mount directly onto a ¾” coupling):
- 75 mm cast iron, double brake – adds approx. 90 - 95 mm of height
- 100 mm cast iron, double brake – adds approx. 115 - 125 mm of height
- 75 mm rubber, brake – adds approx. 90 - 95 mm of height
- 100 mm rubber, brake – adds approx. 115 - 125 mm of height
- Lower Shelf: create an "H" shaped leg on one of the sides and drill 4 holes (Ø 28 mm) in a shelf. The shelf then rests directly on the Tees and 4-way fittings, adding practical storage for boxes or a printer.
7. Maintenance
A simple dry microfiber cloth is sufficient to dust the black cast iron base. Reapply the desktop's protective coat (oil, wax, or varnish) as soon as the surface becomes dull or starts to absorb water on contact.
