DIY Desk

kitkat9933 · 6 Jan 2013 at 23:28

You might of seen my DIY Desk idea a while back.

Changed my plan to getting a bit of wood from Wickes or B&Q and then to paint it black gloss.

Any advice on the type of wood that would be the best for the job to be strong enough to hold 2 30 inch monitors + other crap but also good for painting.

Cheers

James

PhillyDee · 6 Jan 2013 at 23:32

A door. any wood is good as long as you have sufficient support. Though since you will be probably using a single slice, some 25mm MDF would be ideal (make sure you seal it before painting). PLY tends to be warped, but is much better if its ok.

Burned_Alive · 6 Jan 2013 at 23:41

Why not just get hold of some gloss black worktop?

kitkat9933 · 6 Jan 2013 at 23:44

Burned_Alive said:
Why not just get hold of some gloss black worktop?

Couldn't find anything suitable and kitchen worktops aren't strong enough apparantly. It needs to hold 50+ kg.

Soundood · 7 Jan 2013 at 00:05

i have a desk 1.9m long from ikea, that had 3 x 24 inch dells, and a solid steel bench rig on it no problems,

its black brown and is supported with two chrome table legs from ikea, the rest is supported by the wall, with it sitting on 2 by 2s

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/50121453/

Simon · 7 Jan 2013 at 00:39

kitkat9933 said:
Couldn't find anything suitable and kitchen worktops aren't strong enough apparantly. It needs to hold 50+ kg.

Depends on the span. You can reinforce it anyway

andy_mk3 · 7 Jan 2013 at 02:50

I have a 2m length of work top in my shed, it's had an engine and gearbox sat on it for 6 months now, plenty strong enough for use as a desk I'm sure!

GeForce · 7 Jan 2013 at 08:46

PhillyDee said:
A door.

I'm doing exactly this at the moment, got an oak veneer flush door (it's actually a fire door) for about £30.

Am intending to sand it down then wax it before it becomes my desk

platypus · 7 Jan 2013 at 08:55

I built a computer desk out of Pine.

RevBillyG · 7 Jan 2013 at 09:09

kitkat9933 said:
Couldn't find anything suitable and kitchen worktops aren't strong enough apparantly. It needs to hold 50+ kg.

Got a 5 metre kitchen worktop here holding 7 22" monitors + assorted guff. No droop and no legs, just 5 very large, very heavy wall brackets.

Been up for 5 years

Jez · 7 Jan 2013 at 09:13

kitkat9933 said:
Couldn't find anything suitable and kitchen worktops aren't strong enough apparantly. It needs to hold 50+ kg.

I can stand on a laminate (let alone solid) kitchen worktop even with a double appliance span and no re-enforcement without it so much as flexing. I am rather heavier than 50kg

kitkat9933 · 7 Jan 2013 at 11:10

So a chipboard kitchen worktop laminated should be ok? Don't forget I will only be putting 2 U shaped legs on it (one either side) and it won't be fitted to the wall.

Jez · 7 Jan 2013 at 11:22

How long will the span be?

kitkat9933 · 7 Jan 2013 at 11:25

2.4m width and I am planning to only have to use 2 legs similar to this

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10115519/

Jez · 7 Jan 2013 at 11:36

That is quite a span, but then 50kg is not very much weight.

I personally would screw a brace to the underside for good measure. 2*4 at the back would provide a good amount of additional rigidity. Or you could use a metal brace of some kind.

Not sure i would pick laminate though, pretty nasty looking stuff.

kitkat9933 · 7 Jan 2013 at 11:52

Jez said:
That is quite a span, but then 50kg is not very much weight.

I personally would screw a brace to the underside for good measure. 2*4 at the back would provide a good amount of additional rigidity. Or you could use a metal brace of some kind.

Not sure i would pick laminate though, pretty nasty looking stuff.

What you mean by a brace?

Jez · 7 Jan 2013 at 12:10

Notsureifserious.jpg

A bit of wood or metal, screwed to the underside, to add rigidity. It will stop the wood slowly warping in the direction of the force on it. One end to the other, on the bottom, out of sight

Simon · 7 Jan 2013 at 12:34

Its all about the second moment of area. Putting two stiffeners under will help - just make sure the screws dont go all the way through the desk!

End view ==============

With Brace ==============
................... II.................II

(ignore the dots above)

Those legs look a bit crap too as they have no ties to stop the desk falling sideways