Worktop as desk, drilling legs? (plus other questions)

Reppyboyo · 29 Dec 2020 at 21:22

Hi all,

Looking to buy a wood worktop (either oak or walnut) to use as a desktop as I've seen many users do here and looking for a little advice.
Are IKEA Adils legs good enough to hold the weight of the desktop?
The plan us to use my current Alex drawers on the one side and 2 Adils legs on the other. (1500mm x 720 x 40 if the dimensions matter)

If so, whats the best way to attach them to the desk?
Drill a hole out first and then screw them in or just screw them right into the wood?
Would I need any certain wood screws/drill bits for this?

The retailer Im looking at will pre-oil it with Osmo Top oil for an extra £20 (three coats), is this worth it or shall I just do it myself with Dainish/Osmo?

Thanks for any help all!

MrClippy · 29 Dec 2020 at 22:26

ikea tops are terrible, not even solid wood. avoid.

planty · 29 Dec 2020 at 22:33

Drill pilot holes and screw them in. If it's wood, use a suitable wood drill bit and wood screws.

planty · 29 Dec 2020 at 22:37

As for the oil, it depends how much you value your time - £20 for three coats of oiling/sanding doesn't sound too bad, you'd be paying about that for the oil itself probably?

Armageus · 29 Dec 2020 at 22:54

MrClippy said:
ikea tops are terrible, not even solid wood. avoid.

Despite the fact the op didn't mention IKEA worktops, they do actually offer solid wood worktops.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/solid-wood-worktops-46456/

MrClippy · 30 Dec 2020 at 00:25

goodness

I'm also looking for a worktop, I found this: https://www.hcsupplies.co.uk/produc...inum-etchings-1800mmx900mmx40mm-breakfast-bar

189 seems a bit much though considering its more expensive for 20cm LESS...

I'll subscribe to see how you get

b0rn2sk8 · 30 Dec 2020 at 00:41

I would have thought a 1.5m desk would need a centre support.

MrClippy · 30 Dec 2020 at 00:49

can you get a 2 meter long solid oak top, and then just lob some off down the side to get the length you want?

asking for a friend

On a side note, have you thought about wrapping your table top to get custom designs?

jpaul · 30 Dec 2020 at 08:26

Earlier desk thread had some alternative, more stable, 'H' style end legs ... I quite like beech faced ply, for the better strength/weight, edges look nice *if* you can finish them.

{SAS}TB · 30 Dec 2020 at 08:37

Take a look here :

https://www.worktop-express.co.uk/i...worktops&sid=276thwg2gcxl9yasu436763c0fd7536g

I got mine unfinished and sanded the edges (they're quite sharp unless you get them rounded) and oiled it myself - didn't take long.

Yes, definately drill a pilot or you risk snapping the screw or use something like like these and bolt them on

https://www.screwfix.com/p/insert-n...OXfZrmoqnQOCdpT764gPqkAfZWNaR74xoCkcYQAvD_BwE

firstborn · 30 Dec 2020 at 08:38

MrClippy said:
ikea tops are terrible, not even solid wood. avoid.

And what nonsense that is. Ignorant post, terrible advice, avoid!

Reppyboyo · 30 Dec 2020 at 11:08

Thanks for the advice everyone, looking forward to getting this together.

jpaul said:
Earlier desk thread had some alternative, more stable, 'H' style end legs ... I quite like beech faced ply, for the better strength/weight, edges look nice *if* you can finish them.

Any idea what these were called or where from?

b0rn2sk8 said:
I would have thought a 1.5m desk would need a centre support.

I'm not so sure I've seen bigger desks with no center support and appear to be fine.
Anyone else know better?

{SAS}TB · 30 Dec 2020 at 11:15

Mines 2m long 40mm oak and no centre support - just two pairs of hairpin legs

jpaul · 30 Dec 2020 at 11:23

Reppyboyo said:
Any idea what these were called or where from?

see this thread

mid_gen said:
Buy a solid wood kitchen worktop of your choosing, cut to your desired length. Couple of legs, I used these.

I'd checkout gumtree too - can find some nice solid deep/wide kitchen/dining tables

{SAS}TB · 30 Dec 2020 at 12:41

Take a look

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/i-need-a-new-desk.18899479/#post-34029113

And

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/pic-your-desk-right-now.17699399/page-107#post-34276572

MrClippy · 30 Dec 2020 at 15:19

firstborn said:
And what nonsense that is. Ignorant post, terrible advice, avoid!

it's not ignorance, my desk is from ikea and filled with cardboard, I know this because I've drilled through it. my last ikea purchase was 2010, so in 10 years I'd expect things to be different.

firstborn · 30 Dec 2020 at 19:48

MrClippy said:
it's not ignorance, my desk is from ikea and filled with cardboard, I know this because I've drilled through it. my last ikea purchase was 2010, so in 10 years I'd expect things to be different.

Your 'desk', so not a kitchen worktop?

MrClippy · 30 Dec 2020 at 22:59

firstborn said:
Your 'desk', so not a kitchen worktop?

we've already had this discussion:

Armageus said:
Despite the fact the op didn't mention IKEA worktops, they do actually offer solid wood worktops.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/solid-wood-worktops-46456/

MrClippy said:
goodness

stop trying to derail the conversation and drop it.

@Reppyboyo what retailer did you go with?

Hakanese · 30 Dec 2020 at 23:13

If your top if thick enough you won't need the central support. I'm all for a wooden slab, as if and when you mark or stain or damage the surface you can sand it down and oil it up and carry on. Done a few of these for the workshops at work. They last much better than the tops with like a vinyl or synthetic cover on them

Reppyboyo · 31 Dec 2020 at 11:14

MrClippy said:
.

@Reppyboyo what retailer did you go with?

Not bought just yet, probably going to go with House of Worktops though as they are well priced, come pre oiled and in the exact size I need.
(https://houseofworktops.co.uk/)