I recovered a junked melamine desk; my goal is to raise it up to function as a simple workbench. The top surface is in great condition, perfect as a work area for light duty tasks, so want to keep that intact. The desk is 32" x 72" and only about 28" top surface height. Hard to use a chair at all as there is also a 2-3" support running the length on the underside of the front edge.I've done very little woodworking, but thinking I can muster enough to build a riser structure to get the surface height to ~34-36 inches for a comfortable workbench (does not need to withstand much force). The desk sides/legs are melamine panels (3 x 1/2" sandwiched together), flush with the outer edge of the desk top (also melamine) and full width of 32". The panel legs at the bottom edge had obviously been exposed to water at some point and have expanded a little, pushing closer to 2" in width with that swell.A couple of photos ... side of desk... back of desk showing leg panelTo achieve 6" additional height, I am looking for a safe, stable design that doesn't offer too much complexity for a noob woodworker.My current thinking is to augment the panel legs with additional structure underneath, probably easiest to use lumber. Not sure I can describe my current plan, but will give it a shot: perhaps something like a 4 layer 2x4 (as effectively new feet) on the bottom under the length of each panel leg laying flat (thus adding ~6 total inches height), then some additional structure added by using two 2x4 rising vertically upward and attached to the feet (maybe dado) and bolted using 1 or 2 bolts through the melamine panels ... so two pairs of vertically bolted supports holding onto the panels for each foot. Shouldn't be any additional risk of racking weakness, but not sure. Thinking that description makes sense, but can clarify if needed.Open to any and all ideas on how to raise the desk safely and securely. Do not really care much about outward appearce of the final result. One design tenant is that I don't want too much in the way of protusions (i.e. bolt ends) that could snag children or clothing. Appreciate the help!! via /r/DIY http://ift.tt/2vPn6yn
