Help me stop my desk from going saggy

MrRockliffe · 17 Sep 2018 at 10:43

Just bought a new work top to use as a desk (IKEA Karlby), and as it's quite heavy (and long at 2.4m), I suspect it's going to start bowing/sagging in the middle.

I've been trying to find an elegant solution like a pre made desk brace/beam, but can't seem to find anything online.

Looking for approx 2m wide, as I've got a set of drawers at each end of the work top.

Any help is much appreciated.

Pic:

Snookums · 17 Sep 2018 at 10:55

A bracket in the middle?

Martynt74 · 17 Sep 2018 at 10:55

Best thing i would suggest would just be a 2x3 batton running the full length along the wall in between the drawers.

I would suspect that would give it plenty of support and be completely hidden from sight. Plus no annoying poles ruining leg space.

Edit - Whats that black pole in the middle? Is that what you're currently using and want rid of it as i'd have thought that'd be sufficient.

MrRockliffe · 17 Sep 2018 at 11:00

Marvt74 said:
Best thing i would suggest would just be a 2x3 batton running the full length along the wall in between the drawers.

I would suspect that would give it plenty of support and be completely hidden from sight. Plus no annoying poles ruining leg space.

Edit - Whats that black pole in the middle? Is that what you're currently using and want rid of it as i'd have thought that'd be sufficient.

Didn't want to get rid of it, just not sure if it'll be sufficient.

I did think about a bit of wood, and while it'll be out of site, I'll definitely end up hitting my knees on it.

I'm after something as low profile as possible. In the US, I can find loads of "anti sag" table supports, but can't seem to find anything in the UK that resembles it

Martynt74 · 17 Sep 2018 at 11:02

How deeps the desk that you'd be hitting your knees on the wood? Do your knees touch the back wall now? As it'd only stick out about 2 inches.

MrRockliffe · 17 Sep 2018 at 11:07

Marvt74 said:
How deeps the desk that you'd be hitting your knees on the wood? Do your knees touch the back wall now? As it'd only stick out about 2 inches.

It can't go along the back of the desk as the leg is there. It's not a particularly deep desk

Martynt74 · 17 Sep 2018 at 11:11

Sorry, i made that suggestion before i saw the leg.

If it was me i'd either remove the leg and stick a length of wood across the span (presume it's around 6ft?) or if you want to keep that leg, leave it as it is and it'll be absolutely fine. Lots of kitchens/utility rooms will have a gap in the worktop for a dryer and washing machine side by side with just one of those metal legs and that's a similar size.

MrRockliffe · 17 Sep 2018 at 11:18

Marvt74 said:
Sorry, i made that suggestion before i saw the leg.

If it was me i'd either remove the leg and stick a length of wood across the span (presume it's around 6ft?) or if you want to keep that leg, leave it as it is and it'll be absolutely fine. Lots of kitchens/utility rooms will have a gap in the worktop for a dryer and washing machine side by side with just one of those metal legs and that's a similar size.

I've managed to find a reasonably priced 1m long U channel - £4. I thought I could get 3, with one either side of the leg, and then one to go across the front of the leg.

For 18 quid or so, removes the risk of it sagging

It probably wood be okay with just the leg, but didn't want to take the risk

jpaul · 17 Sep 2018 at 11:26

a couple of stainless steel box section 3/4" say running across span ... may need to check with some online stress/bending calculator

MrRockliffe · 17 Sep 2018 at 11:32

jpaul said:
a couple of stainless steel box section 3/4" say running across span ... may need to check with some online stress/bending calculator

I think some 4mm U section should do the job

Pita being away from uni at the moment - could have gone and made my own in the workshop in 5 mins!

DB_SamX · 17 Sep 2018 at 21:14

Bring the chest of drawers closer together, leaving the desk to cantilever either side. The reduced span in the middle will reduce the sagging significantly.

MrRockliffe · 17 Sep 2018 at 21:15

DB_SamX said:
Bring the chest of drawers closer together, leaving the desk to cantilever either side. The reduced span in the middle will reduce the sagging significantly.

Don't have enough space for that - desk has 2 people sat at it

Participant · 17 Sep 2018 at 21:24

Proper wood rather than cheap IKEA rubbish.

jpaul · 17 Sep 2018 at 22:02

'proper' wood it is not going to be immune nonetheless
[ remember earlier thread ?
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/t...ou-calculate-max-load.18820903/#post-31837206 etc]

also leg thread too https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/custom-worktop-desk.18775992/page-3

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 18 Sep 2018 at 08:54

Almost exactly the same setup as me. Mine is maybe slightly narrower, its the IKEA oak top. (How ******* heavy btw!)

Mine has a slight, and I mean slight deviation in the middle after 2 years. Ideally you want to put something for it to sit on that will try to move in the opposite direction. If it was me though and as a 2 person desk i would add another leg at the front , just recessed a little.

Armageus · 18 Sep 2018 at 09:05

Either a length of baton along the back wall or a couple of london brackets e.g.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LONDON-B...NG-BRACKETS-SUPPORTS-100mm-350mm/222608876851

If you must keep the leg, and it doesn't interfere with chairs etc, I'd put it at the front, as that's where you are going to be leaning on it etc.

Martynt74 · 18 Sep 2018 at 09:38

Weird, i've never heard of them called London Brackets before.

MrRockliffe · 18 Sep 2018 at 09:42

Armageus said:
Either a length of baton along the back wall or a couple of london brackets e.g.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LONDON-B...NG-BRACKETS-SUPPORTS-100mm-350mm/222608876851

If you must keep the leg, and it doesn't interfere with chairs etc, I'd put it at the front, as that's where you are going to be leaning on it etc.

I can't screw anything into the wall

Rented property with plasterboard :/

I've so far settled on these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...hash=item1c8f5bea49:m:mOlmReptaerA3Qt98Bfmoeg

Not a bad price. A few of these should add a reasonable amount of stiffness for the desk, and with enough screws, should dissipate the load nicely.

Danshock · 4 Mar 2019 at 21:16

MrRockliffe said:
I can't screw anything into the wall Rented property with plasterboard :/

I've so far settled on these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...hash=item1c8f5bea49:m:mOlmReptaerA3Qt98Bfmoeg

Not a bad price. A few of these should add a reasonable amount of stiffness for the desk, and with enough screws, should dissipate the load nicely.

Did you install the steel on the worktop? How's it holding up? Any issues with it so far? I will be buying the same worktop so any feedback/tips would be greatly appreciated!

MrRockliffe · 4 Mar 2019 at 22:12

Danshock said:
Did you install the steel on the worktop? How's it holding up? Any issues with it so far? I will be buying the same worktop so any feedback/tips would be greatly appreciated!

A few dome-head screws and 25mm outer diameter washers from Screwfix. One in every third slot.

It's holding up well, incredibly sturdy - can't see it going anywhere soon

Here's what I went with:

MrRockliffe said:
Reinforced my desk to avoid any further potential sagging - it was starting to a little, but now it's super sturdy.

£17 for the steel delivered - 2x 80cm and 1x 1.25m slotted U channels