Where to source a cut-to-size slab for desk top?

WantoN

WantoN

WantoN

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Joined
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Hello gents,
The old IKEA slab is looking mightily dogeared, and I'd like to move away from the cardboard filling. I'm turning to the hive mind to help me find an affordable solution. Requirements are :
  • Budget - Think moths flying out my wallet. Less than £100 if possible (unlikely, I know)
  • Size - About 1800mm x 500mm x 25mm, but I'm flexible
  • Colour - White
  • Finish - Any. Can be painted, stained or laminated, matt, satin or gloss. Just not that super cheap looking matt white
  • Material - Any. Can be ply, mdf, chipboard, solid wood etc. Just not made of paper :p
  • Details - Square, sanded / smoothed edges. Sides colour matched. No holes required
  • Notes - Needs to be delivered to my gaff
As long as I can get two through-desk monitor arms and a few threaded inserts in it, I'm easy.

Any advice is really, really appreciated. I've done a fair bit of research and the cheapest I can find so far is a wince-inducing two fiddy.
 
Have you thought about kitchen suppliers.... a kitchen worktop might be an option at those sizes.
 
If it's just the slab, a half-decent woodworker or carpenter should be able to knock you up one in solid pine with a really nice finish for under £100, including materials.
DIY, if you've got a few clamps and basic tools, would be around £50...
 
ttaskmaster said:
If it's just the slab, a half-decent woodworker or carpenter should be able to knock you up one in solid pine with a really nice finish for under £100, including materials.
DIY, if you've got a few clamps and basic tools, would be around £50...
Click to expand...

Not just the slab mate, I need it in a robust white finish too. After posting it actually occurred to me I know a chippy who sourced a beautiful piece of beechwood for our breakfast bar; super cheap. However, he hates painting / finishing ;) DIYing to that extent isn't something I can manage these days, but great idea. Frankly I'm dreading this little project. I'll call him tomorrow but it may not be viable.

Also want to avoid anyone being in our house if possible.
 
Hmm that price you may struggle but check out https://houseofworktops.co.uk/

I paid £186 for my 2m walnut cut to 1.6m which was an extra £15 back in 2020 if I recall.

edit: Looking at my receipt, I paid an additional £15 on top for pre-oiling and an edge profile on the front and back of the long sides. Good wood isn’t cheap.
 
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WantoN said:
Not just the slab mate, I need it in a robust white finish too.
Click to expand...
Yep, you mentioned paint and stain, which is kinda what I had in mind.
Personally I prefer oils and stains, which is what I'd have suggested if you were interested in the DIY route. The finish is probably the most expensive part.
Beyond that, I was just thinking of edge-jointing some PAR 22x150mm timber from a decent merchant. Cut, glue, clamp overnight, plane, sand, finish. I got some 4000mm lengths in 3x6 and 4x6 and used the same method when I built myself a massive, heavy 8' workbench.

There were a few joinery chaps here on OCUK a while back. Many will be able to knock this up for a few beer tokens and perhaps even help with the finish too.
The one I had in mind hasn't logged in for a couple of years though, which is a shame as he was just north of Reading, well resourced and very helpful.
 
Efour said:
Kitchen worktop from IKEAsuper cheap super effective
Change it to EN

https://www.ikea.com/se/sv/cat/baenkskivor-24264/?filters=f-colors:10156
Click to expand...

Thanks man. Last time I checked these out they didn't have what I was after, but that's almost perfect. It would be deeper little deeper than I can get away with, and would need cutting to length, but they're an absolute bargain and pretty much exactly what I want otherwise.

I'll add this as a potential option, and ask that chippy about resizing it.
 
Some of them come cut to length but they are a lot more expensive but at least they cap the end properly with laminate/vaneer.
 
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