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reconfiguring the Z-Line Gemini "L" Computer DeskRecently I needed a desk for my home office. I've always liked simple desks with four legs and no drawers. I just need a flat surface for my notebook computer. So I have been eyeing the Legacy Glass L-Desk at Staples. After studying this desk at the B&M store, I realized it could be taken apart to become two separate desks. This feature is nice, because I didn't need a L-shaped desk. But two desks would come in handy. The Legacy Glass L-Desk is sometimes on sale for $80, so I wasn't willing to shell out $140 for it . . . but I needed a desk. Attached Image: Chieh Cheng While visiting the local Staples store, I noticed another desk . . . the Z-Line Gemini "L" Computer Desk This desk is very similar to the Legacy Glass L-Desk. It is L-shaped. It could be taken apart to turn into two separate desks. The difference is that this desk has a wood-like top, four straight legs, two different sized tabletops, and an accessory shelf. This desk seemed like it would suit my needs better. Plus, my wife preferred the wood-looking top than glass, although I prefer the other. The best thing is that this desk cost only $80. Attached Image: Chieh Cheng Upon arriving home with the desk, I realized that I made a slight miscalculation. Unlike the Legacy Glass L-Desk, where the corner panel is fastened onto the side of the two tabletops, the corner panel on the Z-Line Gemini "L" Computer Desk shares the legs with the two desks. Therefore, if the corner panel isn't used, the legs will stick halfway out from the desk as shown in the picture below. Attached Image: Chieh Cheng On one side, the desk has four screw fasteners for the leg. Attached Image: Chieh Cheng I wished the designers of this desk would have though of adding two more screw fasteners on the corner plate side so that the desk can be configured as two individual desks or one L-desk at will. With that thought, I realized that I could do the reconfiguration myself. I could simply move the leg in, bolting to the two holes that were meant for the corner plate (see picture below). Then all I have to do is drill two more holes and add two more screws to fasten the leg. Attached Image: Chieh Cheng But I didn't do that, because the tabletop is a particleboard. To fasten to a particleboard, the designer used screw stubs (the lack of a better term) as shown in the picture below. If I screw directly into the particleboard, the board is likely to flake over time and the screw would pull right out. Two screws are currently holding the leg to the tabletop. However, I found a page on the Equality Screw Company that explains the difference between fasteners. There are a couple of screws for particleboards that I am willing to try. It seems particleboard screws need to have sharp and wide-space threads. And they can't be too long for this desk�about 1/2". I found two of these screws in my arsenal of screws. So I'll have to buy some more. Attached Image: Chieh Cheng By moving the leg in, I had also shortened the distance between the legs on both side of the desk. This desk has bracing between all of the legs. And by shortening the distance, the back brace wouldn't fit. So I decided to drill new holes and fasten the brace to the legs myself. I started with a 7/64" drill bit and made a pilot hole in the leg (see picture below). Then I used an 11/64" drill bit for the final hole. I made the same holes on the brace. Attached Image: Chieh Cheng It was late at night when I put the desk together, so I didn't have Home Depot and Lowe's vast resource. Therefore I used #10 x 2" wood screws to fasten the brace to the legs (see picture below); entirely inappropriate. But at least the desk is holding together. At the next opportunity, I will have to stop by the home improvement store and get some machine screws and bolts. Attached Image: Chieh Cheng amazing the thing people put online. thanks for the info and some pics of the desk im thinking of buying jake Thank you for the article. I am planning on doing the exact same thing with the glass desk David Johnson How easily do you think this desk could be converted into a backwards L shape? With the unique placement of the legs, it seems that unless the tabletops come with two sets of holes, one for a normal L formation and one for a backwards L formation, that the desk could only be reasonably configured one way 'lest the keyboard tray be on the wrong side of the desk, etc. Jonathan L It should be pretty easy, if you are willing to do some drilling and fastening with particle board screws. Chieh Cheng Is it possible to switch the positions of the 2 desks? (I.E. the shorter desk w/ the computer monitor would be on the right side and the longer side with the shelf would be on the left if you are looking at it straight ahead like in the above picture). Thanks. Vinh sure. If you are willing to drill a few holes . . . It's not very hard to do the conversion. Chieh Cheng Hello. I was wondering if the desk can be assembled with either a left or right hand L? IOW, I would like to have the smaller desk with the keyboard on the right side. Thanks. Brad No. But you can modify it to do so. I have the keyboard drawer mounted on the larger table. Chieh Cheng Hi Also it was nice to see that people putting there home hacks onto blogs.... I am not going to be the only one out there planning to do the same. Check out in this article where I was looking for a better word instead of 'stub' http://fossist.net/blog/?p=98 , seem stub is the better word. Gaurav Pant I would love the specifications diagram giving the dimensions uploaded. As for the bowing what about screwing a thin sheet of metal or plastic to the underside? Alex
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Title: Turning the corner panel from the Z-Line Gemini "L" Computer Desk into a corner table Title: A Steady Third Hand Title: Raise the Height of Z-Line Gemini "L" Computer Desk Title: Z-Line Gemini "L" Computer Desk - "Bow" Effect Add Comment
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