Desk dipping in the middle

3lackMamba · 3 Nov 2018 at 12:38

Hi guys

I recently got a new setup and wanted an extra long desk so I bought the Ikea EBACKEN 246cm, I know it’s technically a worktop but no other desk offered me this space.

I knew it would need some support in the middle so in addition to the 4 legs on each corner I put one leg in the middle originally and it dipped quite bad, so back to Ikea I went and got another leg, I now have 1 leg on each corner, and 1 leg 80cm in from each side posistioned in the middle. So 6 legs in total and it’s still dipping quite noticeably.

Because of its dipping it’s pulling all the corner legs up and I’ve had to completely unscrew a couple of them so they are at full length and wedge cardboard in just to make the desk stable. I’ve tried fixing it, making the middle legs longer to push the middle up but it just push all the corner legs up also then the desk gets very unstable and wobbly.

I’ve thought about getting something like angle iron to screw underneath but no idea how I will transport 2 and a half metres of it, anyone any suggestions?

Thanks

Duke · 3 Nov 2018 at 12:49

Can you post some photos?

Dis86 · 3 Nov 2018 at 12:50

How can it dip in the middle of you have legs there? Unless your legs aren't the right height that is...

Efour · 3 Nov 2018 at 12:58

Recently fitted one of these but 186cm.
IKEA rep said legs minimum 80cm apart along it, advice which of course i ignored.
You deffo gonna need support on the long one.

Hades · 3 Nov 2018 at 13:02

Another option instead of legs could be a support fixed to the wall at regular intervals.

Efour · 3 Nov 2018 at 13:11

You don't need tons of angle iron.
I'll upload a pic, just as Hades said.

Get yourself a spirit level, a good drill/driver ,bunch of screws and plugs meterstick and a pen.

You will still need front legs 3 or 4 maybe unless you can wall mount 2 sides. Those little angle irons, cost like 50p.....

theone8181 · 3 Nov 2018 at 13:12

From what you've said there must be a massive dip (unless of course your floor is really on the ****). Have youyoueasured the gap between the worktop and the floor next to each leg to ensure they are the same length.

builder22 · 3 Nov 2018 at 13:13

the more legs there are the harder it is to make it stable, but that doesn't really explain why the corner legs are lifting??

3lackMamba · 3 Nov 2018 at 13:17

Okay this photo was taken right after I installed the 2 middle legs, the dip isn’t as bad here you can notice it slightly if you look but I will take another photo when I’m home from work to show how it’s increased.

Honestly if I keep all legs the exact same length it won’t sit even, a couple of the corner ones will be hovering by quite a bit whilst 1 or 2 actually have some pressure on them.

This is a rented home and unfortunately I don’t think the land lord would let me drill my desk into the wall. Plus as it’s a top floor room the ceiling is angled and I couldn’t get the desk right back to the wall with my monitors etc.

Dis86 · 3 Nov 2018 at 13:20

It's not the desk...

JBuk · 3 Nov 2018 at 13:26

Your floor is probably not flat so you’ll need to shim the middle legs to remove the sag

builder22 · 3 Nov 2018 at 13:26

try moving the corner legs in a bit, maybe the floor dips at the edges or raised in the middle. also will be less of a span so won't dip as much with weight on it

BennyC · 3 Nov 2018 at 13:28

Run a batten on the wall.

3lackMamba · 3 Nov 2018 at 14:19

Okay, maybe the floor is a little uneven. We just recently moved in, the houses are old but I know the landlord put a LOT of money into refurbishing this home, pretty much everything has been renewed but maybe he just left the floor boards as they were.

My goal is to have the worktop on top of a set of ALEX drawers eventually rather than legs, I’ll be getting the first drawer in a couple of weeks. I guess I should have it in a bit and not at the very edge of the desk?

fez · 3 Nov 2018 at 14:19

I would suggest it is the desk and that its warped. When you raise the middle legs the outer ones will be lifted off the ground. Can you take all the legs off and lay it flat on a hard surface to see if its completely level.

3lackMamba · 3 Nov 2018 at 14:22

fez said:
I would suggest it is the desk and that its warped. When you raise the middle legs the outer ones will be lifted off the ground. Can you take all the legs off and lay it flat on a hard surface to see if its completely level.

Yeah I think I’m going to remove everything from it tomorrow and start from scratch, it was definitely straight when I first brought it in a couple of weeks ago.

HAz · 3 Nov 2018 at 14:26

looks like the legs have adjustable feet which are on threads. screw them out more so they are longer

fez · 3 Nov 2018 at 14:27

3lackMamba said:
Yeah I think I’m going to remove everything from it tomorrow and start from scratch, it was definitely straight when I first brought it in a couple of weeks ago.

You seem to have at least a few inches of adjustment in the legs so you should be able to sort it out if it isn't the desk warping.

If you have used it for a few weeks with the middle being poorly supported though it might be warped. I assume you can't flip the desk over if it has warped slightly?

Delvis · 3 Nov 2018 at 14:32

You can see the floor isn't level in that photo, that or the carpet bulges up

3lackMamba · 3 Nov 2018 at 14:38

Delvis said:
You can see the floor isn't level in that photo, that or the carpet bulges up

I think you’re right, now that you’ve said it I can see it too.. I’ll feel it when I’m home to see if it is the carpet or the floor boards but I mean, it would make sense if it is the boards, why the two middle feet have constant pressure and some corners are hovering..

And now the desk is probably permanently warped so its unfixable anyway greeeeeat :rolleyes: