Worktop Desk Questions

Rexxar

Rexxar

Rexxar

Associate
Joined
13 May 2010
Posts
1,638
Getting around to building a new desk. Going for the standard worktop + ikea alex drawer units.

I've seen worktops at 40mm , 27mm , and 22mm , as well as some at 20mm . I'm planning on standing 3 24" monitors on this (No fancy mount just yet, but probably move to a triple at some point)

Not going for veneer, looking at solid oak. Would 22mm be strong enough to prevent sag in the middle or should i be looking at

a) Routing a channel and putting a metal reinforcement in the underside
b) Add 1-2 legs along the back to support weight

Also, cable management wise, would it be good to have a notch taken out of the back, do people do this?

Want to do it right the first time, set and forget sort of thing.
 
I would go a bit thicker. I have ikeas 40mm kitchen counter top as my desktop. The legs are 1.3m apart and there is a bit of flex when I press down in the middle. But nothing massive.
 
You can get a bekant metal underframe for less than two sets of drawers, unless you specifically want drawers, you get more leg room and 60cm of height adjustment with the frame, it also provides better support across the whole worktop because it's a proper desk frame (width/depth in description is the legs, ie. width of the widest part, underframe width is 46cm).

My gumtree freebie uses the same(or a very very similar) frame, the top was/is el cheapo (one of the more basic desks once a time i imagine), but the frame is good and height adjustment came in really handy, originally an L shaped desk, but cut the corner off with the jigsaw, flipped it around(cut side facing the wall) and unbolted the add-on component of the metal frame (for the corner). Drilled some holes to use with cheaply purchased cable grommets, only cost me a about a fiver for a pack of 4 grommets and a drill bit (cheap chinese bit just for this one off job), three at the back and one that sits just under the mousemat to feed kb/mouse.
 
Last edited:
I have a 1.5m solid oak worktop on top of Alex drawers and it is great both functionally and aesthetically. Sorry I can't answer about the flex question but as the difference was only a few quid I went with the 40mm option as IMO it looks better as well as being sturdier.

I didn't bother with any routing options like notches, I just have it about 1cm from the wall and that works fine for me.

Hope that helps at least a little.
 
t31os said:
You can get a bekant metal underframe for less than two sets of drawers, unless you specifically want drawers, you get more leg room and 60cm of height adjustment with the frame, it also provides better support across the whole worktop because it's a proper desk frame (width/depth in description is the legs, ie. width of the widest part, underframe width is 46cm).

My gumtree freebie uses the same(or a very very similar) frame, the top was/is el cheapo (one of the more basic desks once a time i imagine), but the frame is good and height adjustment came in really handy, originally an L shaped desk, but cut the corner off with the jigsaw, flipped it around(cut side facing the wall) and unbolted the add-on component of the metal frame (for the corner). Drilled some holes to use with cheaply purchased cable grommets, only cost me a about a fiver for a pack of 4 grommets and a drill bit (cheap chinese bit just for this one off job), three at the back and one that sits just under the mousemat to feed kb/mouse.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Do need the drawers or would probably have gone for a height adjustable / standing desk.


Aberfala said:
I have a 1.5m solid oak worktop on top of Alex drawers and it is great both functionally and aesthetically. Sorry I can't answer about the flex question but as the difference was only a few quid I went with the 40mm option as IMO it looks better as well as being sturdier.

I didn't bother with any routing options like notches, I just have it about 1cm from the wall and that works fine for me.

Hope that helps at least a little.
Click to expand...

It does, I'll probably go with the 40mm and get it cut down, was looking at the thinner options as those come in 1.5 where the 40 only comes in 2m and over , and wanted to avoid cutting it and potentially damaging the finish.
 
I don't know how much storage you're aiming for but there are lots of cheap options for office drawers on gumtree (suitability of listings will depend on location naturally).
 
Rexxar said:
Thanks, Do need the drawers or would probably have gone for a height adjustable / standing desk.




It does, I'll probably go with the 40mm and get it cut down, was looking at the thinner options as those come in 1.5 where the 40 only comes in 2m and over , and wanted to avoid cutting it and potentially damaging the finish.
Click to expand...
worktop express offer cutting for a fairly reasonable price - I'm just about to order a 2000x960x40mm piece of walnut, with three cuts applied:

1) 1500x760mm to be my desk
2) 1500x200mm offcut to use as a shelf
3) the 500x960mm piece, (potentially with an elliptical cut on it to make it into a big oval but that's an expensive cut, adds £72!), to stick some legs on and make into a matching coffee table for the office


Also, with the drawers, you can just put them underneath the standing desk without the worktop resting on them - that's what I'm going to do I think
 
rG-tom said:
Also, with the drawers, you can just put them underneath the standing desk without the worktop resting on them - that's what I'm going to do I think
Click to expand...
Yep, I've done this. In fact I took my existing desk which was a 20mm pine top bolted to two chests of drawers, and just detached the top. Top is now sit/stand and I put a small cover on the drawers. When we move house I'll buy a nicer tabletop, reassemble the old desk and my girlfriend will use it for her workshop.
 
rG-tom said:
worktop express offer cutting for a fairly reasonable price - I'm just about to order a 2000x960x40mm piece of walnut, with three cuts applied:

1) 1500x760mm to be my desk
2) 1500x200mm offcut to use as a shelf
3) the 500x960mm piece, (potentially with an elliptical cut on it to make it into a big oval but that's an expensive cut, adds £72!), to stick some legs on and make into a matching coffee table for the office


Also, with the drawers, you can just put them underneath the standing desk without the worktop resting on them - that's what I'm going to do I think
Click to expand...

Really helpful thanks
 
I went for the ikea bekant, largest size I could get, 1600mm x 800mm. Love it. Has two big monitors/screens on it, no flex. Height adjustability is awesome to get it just right for your needs. Lots of width and depth. If I had a bigger study/room, I’d go for a table more like 1800-2000mm wide x 800mm deep. But can def recommend the Bekant.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom