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Show HN: De-sk, modular office desk system

de-sk.co

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Re: Show HN: De-sk, modular office desk system

#31

Post by jiveturkey »

This is cool.

However, all the holes seem to be just at the edge of the boards -- which makes perfect sense. You don't want a hole in the middle.

But:

1) I think dynamic hole locations could be easily replicated on a standard desk by just drilling wherever you want and when you need to change this up, plugging old holes with a plastic cap. So really the main advantage is in being able to change the size of the tabletop, not in choosing different slats with different hole patterns.

2) sit-stand is the new hotness and you don't seem to address that.

3) having the main work surface be slatted is terrible. instead, have larger boards for the main area and a frame that allows just the edge to have modularity. You can still extend a desk by adding a smaller main board or a few full length slats.

Re: Show HN: De-sk, modular office desk system

#33

Post by poulsbohemian »

So it's an Ikea equivalent desk for $500 USD?

I'm in the market for a new desk, but this isn't doing anything for me, especially at that price point. Just yesterday I was looking at a sit/stand automatic up/down with built-in USB for nearly $200 less than that. It isn't even clear to me what if any of the replaceable slats I get - I went through the customization process, but other than the color and size it wasn't clear to me there was any options on the slats.

Looks beautiful, I just question its value proposition relative to other desks available from known entities (as well as in my domestic market)

Re: Show HN: De-sk, modular office desk system

#35

Post by sleepybrett »

nextos wrote: post #28
jfren wrote: post #2

Hey HN! I'm Jonathan. I've spent the last few months working on designing and launching a new concept for a desk. It's mainly targeted towards companies / offices -- ie banks of desks. I was inspired by my experience starting a co-working space, and subsequently meeting lots of others running offices and co-working spaces. It's my first non-digital product, and I'm super excited to share it here first. I'd love any f…

I love the concept because modularity is clever. You can build many many setups with a few pieces, and it's easy to ship! I've been shopping for a desk in Oxford & London and I was not satisfied with what I saw. Great timing, I will consider de-sk. I'd love to see adjustable height. Maybe not with an engine, as that would make the desk too heavy to ship and too expensive or complex. I think a crank handle system woul…

the concept is slats, slats have been around since man started turning timber into lumber. Point to me what is new.

Re: Show HN: De-sk, modular office desk system

#36

Post by yardshop »

poulsbohemian wrote: post #33

So it's an Ikea equivalent desk for $500 USD? I'm in the market for a new desk, but this isn't doing anything for me, especially at that price point. Just yesterday I was looking at a sit/stand automatic up/down with built-in USB for nearly $200 less than that. It isn't even clear to me what if any of the replaceable slats I get - I went through the customization process, but other than the color and size it wasn't c…

Hover over the slats on the table and you will get a pop-up menu that allows you to modify them. Then the total price shows at the bottom. The one I put together came to 447 GBP or $576. It doesn't look like they ship to the US but if they did I expect there would be a considerable increase in the cost.

It would probably be possible to have something similar built for less, especially if you had some woodworking capability and were able to build the slats yourself. This thing would probably have a lot more strength and flexibility than something that comes from Ikea.

Re: Show HN: De-sk, modular office desk system

#37

Post by yardshop »

sleepybrett wrote: post #34

Why are the board edges not laminated and instead just exposed particleboard, they are going to get rubbed and start falling apart.

It's baltic birch plywood, not particle board. It's extremely stable stuff and not going to fall apart even with a lot of rubbing.

Re: Show HN: De-sk, modular office desk system

#38

Post by kbouck »

aesthetics1 wrote: post #9

It's an interesting concept. You need more photos - I need to see how the slats interlock, I need to see photos of how the frame works. My immediate thought was that with a long enough desk (de-sk?) it would bow in the middle. A lot of questions I have don't seem to be answered on the landing page. I think overall, the landing page could be simplified and cleaned up so I don't need to go hunting through the "FAQ" and…

> I need to see how the slats interlock, I need to see photos of how the frame works.

For comparison, another furniture startup Aalo (YC W18) whose website has nice 3D closeup views of the interlocking components:

https://aalo.co

Re: Show HN: De-sk, modular office desk system

#39

Post by Odenwaelder »

stinos wrote: post #20
Odenwaelder wrote: post #10

Way too expensive, sorry. I just built my own: 400cm oak wood tabletop: 200 Euros. IKEA Legs: 18 Euros. IKEA ALEX drawer element: 60 Euros. Putting everything together took an hour.

400cm oak wood tabletop: 200 Euros Oak isn't exactly cheap so for that price I assume this is just a tiny layer of oak (sorry couldn't find English term for it) glued on top of plywood or so? Apart from that: De-sk is sort of expensive yes, but from what it looks like part of that price is quality paid for, it looks sturdy. No matter how smart and well-designed IKEA is, 18 euros cannot buy you something which lasts a…

Yes, it's solid!

https://www.bauhaus.info/massivholzplatten/exclusivholz-mass...

Re: Show HN: De-sk, modular office desk system

#40

Post by Doxin »

hammock wrote: post #18
aesthetics1 wrote: post #9

It's an interesting concept. You need more photos - I need to see how the slats interlock, I need to see photos of how the frame works. My immediate thought was that with a long enough desk (de-sk?) it would bow in the middle. A lot of questions I have don't seem to be answered on the landing page. I think overall, the landing page could be simplified and cleaned up so I don't need to go hunting through the "FAQ" and…

>It's an interesting concept. You need more photos - I need to see how the slats interlock, I need to see photos of how the frame works. My immediate thought was that with a long enough desk (de-sk?) it would bow in the middle. He doesn't explain it but it seems pretty clear to me how it might work. The slats don't interlock. Underneath each slat are wooden tabs (one on each end) that fit snugly inside the frame. Eac…

The long axis of the desk still has a load bearing member that can flex. Presumably if you get a longer desk frame the member would be adjusted (in size or thickness or whatnot) to not bow.
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