The desk top rests on two leg panels and these are fastened with aluminum brackets. The rear panel fastened to the back of the desk is a decorative effect that also reinforces the desk structure.

The following assembly instructions apply to a 19-mm-thick medium-density fiberboard (MDF). You must adapt the list of materials accordingly if you opt for other materials or thicknesses.

Ask your do-it-yourself store, hardware, or carpenter to cut the required boards to size. Below are the instructions and tips from Bosch power tools.

The aluminum brackets used to connect the boards should be available off-the-shelf in do-it-yourself stores. You can cut these to length using a jigsaw for curved cutting or circular saw for faster straight cutting. To do this, adjust the speed or stroke rate to the lowest setting possible. You must always wear protective goggles when sawing to protect your eyes from flying metal pieces. After using the saw blade to cut aluminum, do not use it again to cut wood.

Using the drill and 4-mm universal drill bit, make the holes in the brackets. Countersink the holes on the inside of the brackets using the same countersink bit that you use for wood.

Place one of the sides on the outer surface and position the bracket so it is flush with the upper edge. Mount the bracket in this position using the cordless screwdriver or hand drill and screws (4 x 17 mm). Follow the same procedure for the other leg panels.

Lay one of the leg panels with the attached bracket onto its front side on your work surface. Align the desk top with the relevant side panel on top of the leg panel. Using the cordless screwdriver and screws (4 x 17 mm), mount the leg panel. Once you have fastened the other leg panel, the desk is already complete without the rear panel, but not yet steady.

Using a pencil, draw the ridges at the upper edge of the rear panel. By using the jigsaw, cut the pattern above the pencil line. The more accurately you cut along the line, the less work you will have to do later with a wood file and sanding paper when straightening.

Now place the rear panel with its back face down on your work surface and align the rear edges of the desk on top.

Using a pencil, trace the outline of the leg panels as well as the desktop on the rear panel. Remove the desk and pre-drill holes for fastening the screws in the center of the outlines. Remember to countersink the holes on the back of the rear panel.

Place the desk with the front facing downwards on the floor and align the rear panel on top. Fit the rear panel to the desk using the cordless screwdriver and screws (4 x 40 mm).

Tip for screwing together two pieces of wood: In the piece where you want to insert the screws first, always pre-drill a hole that is 0.5 to 1 mm larger than the screw diameter; the hole should be countersunk for the screw head. In the piece that you are going to drill second, pre-drill a hole that is always 1 mm smaller than the screw diameter.

Take time to prepare the surfaces so they are in the best working condition possible before starting assembly. First, fill in the screw holes in the MDF surfaces on display using putty or wood putty. Once the putty is dry (check the manufacturer’s instructions), sand the area smooth using sanding paper with a grit of 120.

First read the manufacturer’s safety and handling instructions thoroughly. Make sure the room you are working in is well ventilated and not used for smoking, eating or drinking.

Apply the priming filler with the roller or with a spray gun, if necessary. Allow it to dry completely.

The main criteria in choosing paint should be its workability, the technical equipment you have at home, and the surface quality and durability you require. A wide range of paints are available that are of various types and price categories. Ask for advice at a specialist retail outlet. If you are not an experienced painter, we recommend that you practice beforehand on a sample piece.

The simplest solution is to use a spray can of paint. A higher-quality alternative is the polyurethane paint, which consists of two components and is applied with a spray gun. To make this paint, mix base paint and hardener according to the manufacturer’s instructions and fill the spray gun with the mixture. Adjust the gun and thus the quantity of paint on a test board. Adjust the spray gun cone to a wider setting for surfaces and a narrower setting for edges. Ideally, you should first paint the inner edges, then the outer edges and then finally the surfaces; working on these with even, parallel strokes.

MDF tips

MDF surfaces are highly absorbent. For this reason, you may need to pay particular attention to the edges. You can skip the time-consuming task of sealing the absorbent surfaces by using MDF with a primer film. This MDF guarantees a perfect finish without fillers, at least on the surfaces. Finely sand the primed surfaces and edges; increase the grit of the sanding paper from 120 to 180 to 240.