Another desk thread

strumpusplunket

strumpusplunket

strumpusplunket

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I really want to replace my old and increasingly tatty PC/work desk. It's sagging in the middle, the screen wobbles if I type too hard, the under-desk drawers won't stay shut. It's got to go.

It looks like an Ikea setup is most likely to use the space well. Current desk is 160cm wide by 75cm deep and that's about right for me. Maybe another 10cm of space in the bay it's housed in.

Some combination of Alex drawers, legs and a tabletop seem best and the dimensions are pretty much spot-on. I have some questions for people who may have tried this out, though:

1. I can't see how the tabletops get fixed to the Alex drawers. I wouldn't want it sliding around, so is there a neat solution for afixing them? What do most people do in this regard?

2. How is the strength of the various tops over a 160cm span? The Gerton looks like solid wood so I guess that would be okay? The Linmon and Thyge, being particleboard, I'd be less confident of supporting my (34" UW) monitor sitting in the middle. Would they need reinforcing? Would the addition of a central leg at the back suffice if so, or would it need more comprehensive support?

3. Some surfaces seem to need treating before use. I could really do without that, tbh, but how difficult/time-consuming/messy is it to do for the various options?

Cheers in advance! :)
 
I might be wrong, only I don't think many people who have an Alex drawer setup; actually fix the tabletop to the units?

Instead rely on the weight of equipment or the worktop itself? Rubber stoppers on top of the Alex units can prevent sliding. I would caution from firsthand experience, using the Linmon tabletop, it will bow unless braced. Also, even with rubber grommets, unless the grommets have decent stickiness; they will move even when trying to place/align the top onto the units.

For lighter tabletops, as you point out, they will slide with a nudge, for example, when pressing against as a support or or accidently bumping. I am using a kitchen (solid wood) table top made of Beech on top of Alex drawers; No bowing/movement. I have an additional support leg at the back and thus far - its been fine.

Forgot to mention, that I asked very similar questions about treating a kitchen worktop. :)
 
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If the top of the IKEA unit is solid I would screw from inside the unit into the bottom on the top (using the correct length screws)

Otherwise metal L brackets or KD blocks.

Screwing the top on will help stop it bending.
If your top is rigid enough there is no need.

You can add a metal shelf brackets under your monitors in the centre of the span of its not solid.

I have a MDF top with one end held by shelf brackets.
 
Ninco! said:
I might be wrong, only I don't think many people who have an Alex drawer setup; actually fix the tabletop to the units?

Instead rely on the weight of equipment or the worktop itself? Rubber stoppers on top of the Alex units can prevent sliding. I would caution from firsthand experience, using the Linmon tabletop, it will bow unless braced. Also, even with rubber grommets, unless the grommets have decent stickiness; they will move even when trying to place/align the top onto the units.

For lighter tabletops, as you point out, they will slide with a nudge, for example, when pressing against as a support or or accidently bumping. I am using a kitchen (solid wood) table top made of Beech on top of Alex drawers; No bowing/movement. I have an additional support leg at the back and thus far - its been fine.

Forgot to mention, that I asked very similar questions about treating a kitchen worktop. :)
Click to expand...

Right. I really didn't know what people with this set-up (which seems pretty common) were doing with it.

Your reports of working with the Linmon makes me think I'll spend the extra and get the solid wood Gerton top.

Cheers!

Holst1981 said:
If the top of the IKEA unit is solid I would screw from inside the unit into the bottom on the top (using the correct length screws)

Otherwise metal L brackets or KD blocks.

Screwing the top on will help stop it bending.
If your top is rigid enough there is no need.

You can add a metal shelf brackets under your monitors in the centre of the span of its not solid.

I have a MDF top with one end held by shelf brackets.
Click to expand...

Using screws from inside the drawers makes sense. Another reason to go with the solid wood option, too.

(BTW - this thread was meant to be in General Hardware, not General Discussion...)
 
I used a slotted U beam to brace my worktop as it’s the longer version. I have it sat on top of two drawers and use the anti slip mats to stop them sliding around :-)
 
Problem is, most of the lightweight tops from IKEA are honeycomb reinforced inside.
Provides enough sturdiness, but for such use (be able to use screws in it), no chance.
 
Yeah, reading the replies here I just had a search for cutting into the Linmon tabletop... that thing is, what, corrugated cardboard with some reinforced bits?

I think I'm right in saying the Gerton is solid wood, though? Definitely worth the extra. That Linmon material looks awful.
 
To be fair, is light and strong enough but can't be modded. Also cheap.
One solution would be using something like velcro or 3M double-sided foam.
But personally, considering the prices of good monitors I would, definitely, go for the one which allows to be firmly fixed.
 
I picked up the Gerton table top for my brother and it's a solid bit of wood. Pretty heavy and decent quality. He has it unscrewed, just resting on top of Finnvard legs and I just tried to move it and it wouldn't budge.
He only has a 24" monitor on there, but a load of textbooks, monitor speakers, printer (albeit spread out).
 
Now reading up on the Gerton, it sounds like it needs a lot of work to treat it before use. The recommendations are oiling it every 2nd or 3rd day for two months? Or some people suggest a process of sanding and treating with polyurethane over a period of several days.

That seems a lot of work.

The Klimpen top is fibreboard, so better than the honeycomb filled particleboard structure of the Linmon, but no idea how strong it is and there seem to be few reviews of it compared to the others.
 
You won't get anything deep enough from IKEA without some work into it, I'm afraid. Time to mount the monitors on arms to keep them as far back as possible?
 
Tephnos said:
You won't get anything deep enough from IKEA without some work into it, I'm afraid. Time to mount the monitors on arms to keep them as far back as possible?
Click to expand...

You know, I am beginning to suspect the same thing!

It's not just the monitor issue, though (even if that is the main one). I also just generally use all the space I have - it's always strewn with paperwork. Given where my desk is situated I can't make up in width what I'd lose in depth, either.

This is proving more difficult than I'd thought it would. I just spent some time searching around to see if I could find a reasonably priced pre-finished piece of wood like a timber door that would just need cutting to size.

Either that, take a punt on the Klimpen top or bite the bullet and get ready to do some prep for the Gerton...
 
strumpusplunket said:
You know, I am beginning to suspect the same thing!

It's not just the monitor issue, though (even if that is the main one). I also just generally use all the space I have - it's always strewn with paperwork. Given where my desk is situated I can't make up in width what I'd lose in depth, either.

This is proving more difficult than I'd thought it would. I just spent some time searching around to see if I could find a reasonably priced pre-finished piece of wood like a timber door that would just need cutting to size.

Either that, take a punt on the Klimpen top or bite the bullet and get ready to do some prep for the Gerton...
Click to expand...

I'm in the same dilemma but honestly a lot of setups on YouTube etc all use the KARLBY and they make it looks just perfect.
 
What does oiling it do? We saw it recommended but never bothered to do it. He has the extra large desk mat so the texture doesn't really matter to him.
 
Stops it cracking, splitting, warping to a certain degree
Helps make it moisture resistant
Plenty solid wood tables cheap on
Facebook
A good tabletop should be better than
Some of that IKEA stuff
 
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