The time had come to update the computer and its setup in my home office. A long overdue addition of RAM took my aging HP Pavilion tower from 8GB to 32GB and drastically improved its performance. Lesson learned and passed on. I was also having a little trouble seeing my dual monitor setup on their VariDesk standing desk converter, which placed the monitors at least three feet away. And to top off my list of complaints, the VariDesk base on the fixed height desk raised my keyboard a bit too high for comfortable typing.
After a lot of research and watching standing desk reviews, I settled on buying the highly rated UPLIFT DESK V2 Commercial T-style base and building my own table top to attach to it. With a motor in each three-stage telescoping leg, this particular base has a lifting capacity of over 350 pounds and about 24 inches of travel, up to a maximum of about 48 inches off the floor. When doing wire management (last few photos below), I could practically walk under the desk at its maximum height!
After a few weeks of use, I am very satisfied with my new UPLIFT DESK standing desk. I bought one of the upgraded controllers that saves up to four programmable heights, so going from my personal sitting height to my standing height at the touch of a button takes about ten seconds or so. At both heights, the desk is solid, with no monitor shake when I am banging away on the keyboard. The ease of switching between standing and sitting makes going between those two postures several times a day both healthy and a real pleasure!
The UPLIFT base components arrived in three well packaged boxes
The UPLIFT base components arrived in three well packaged boxes
The 1-1/2 x 30 x 76 desk top is made up from two sheets of birch plywood
The 1-1/2 x 30 x 76 desk top is made up from two sheets of birch plywood
Positioning the base for pre-drilling for fasteners
Positioning the base for pre-drilling for fasteners
The base components are beefy and arrived well organized
The base components are beefy and arrived well organized
Some of the base controls and wiring
Some of the base controls and wiring
Trimming the ends square after glue up
Trimming the ends square after glue up
The desk top was finished with 3/4 maple banding
The desk top was finished with 3/4 maple banding
Three coats of MinWax Oil Modified Polyurethane provide a durable satin finish to the birch plywood
Three coats of MinWax Oil Modified Polyurethane provide a durable satin finish to the birch plywood
Desk top ready for assembly
Desk top ready for assembly
The previous setup with the 36 inch VariDesk convertible standing desk on cabinetry that was made for the home office in Georgia
The previous setup with the 36 inch VariDesk convertible standing desk on cabinetry that was made for the home office in Georgia
Previous tower and UPS arrangement
Previous tower and UPS arrangement
This oak plywood cabinetry has made many moves over the years
This oak plywood cabinetry has made many moves over the years
Final assembly of the base to the table top upside down
Final assembly of the base to the table top upside down
Half way to upright
Half way to upright
In place at the lowest position about 25 inches to the desk top
In place at the lowest position about 25 inches to the desk top
UPLIFT controller with four memory positions
UPLIFT controller with four memory positions
In place at the highest position with the desk top about 48 inches
In place at the highest position with the desk top about 48 inches
New dual monitor setup with two HP 22 inch monitors that I already had in other areas
New dual monitor setup with two HP 22 inch monitors that I already had in other areas
The final arrangement with the monitors on custom risers and the desk in the standing position (wire management not completed yet)
The final arrangement with the monitors on custom risers and the desk in the standing position (wire management not completed yet)
Custom wire management panel will be attached to the back underside of the desk top with screws
Custom wire management panel will be attached to the back underside of the desk top with screws
Using rings cut from 1-1/2 PVC pipe was an idea inspired by a wire management video on YouTube
Using rings cut from 1-1/2 PVC pipe was an idea inspired by a wire management video on YouTube
Wire management panel mounted
Wire management panel mounted
Wires, power strip and power adapters neatly arranged with Velcro
Wires, power strip and power adapters neatly arranged with Velcro
