25mm benchtops - guess where...

[DaveVman]

I having been trying to find the time to build a router table. It needs to be quite large to accommodate the Incra LS positioner. I was about to order some sheets of melamine from my local sheet goods supplier. They don't have 32mm only 25mm melamine particle board. $112.57. In my infinite wisdom (note sarcasm) I decided 25mm is just fine. Then I thought an entire sheet of 25mm material is overkill and I should really ring around some cabinet makers.

While looking up local cabinetmakers, I noticed that Officeworks sell 25mm melamine particle board desk tops, perfectly cut and edge banded. Just perfect for my needs. For my needs they work out cheaper than buying a sheet and some iron on edge banding. Also they are in stock and fit in my car so I could just go and pick them up. No waiting. No delivery charges. Plus no manhandling a large 52kg sheet with my bad back in my small workshop.
1000mm x 600mm is $29
1200mm x 600mm is $39
and I think they have some at 1500mm.
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/mix-and-match-desktop-1000mm-white-owmm1000w

I bought two of the 1000mm sheets and also a 1200mm sheet. One 1000mm for the top and one for the bottom. I cut the 1200mm sheet in half for the sides because that happens to suit my design. I'm going to see if pocket hole screws will hold it together.
I just need to find something for the back and she's ready to assemble!

Too easy!

[Alkahestic]

Nice find! I made a few rolling cabinets from 16mm melamine particleboard - some use butt join and screws and others are pocket screws, both seem to be holding up fine with no weakening after a year and a house move. One of the pocket screw ones has a lunchbox thicknesser on it, so it sees some weight and fairly frequent use.

[DaveVman]

Nice find! I made a few rolling cabinets from 16mm melamine particleboard - some use butt join and screws and others are pocket screws, both seem to be holding up fine with no weakening after a year and a house move. One of the pocket screw ones has a lunchbox thicknesser on it, so it sees some weight and fairly frequent use.

Excellent to know. Did you attempt to glue the melamine as well as screw? I don't have any melamine glue but I do have Titebond III. So I thought I'd add Titebond III as well as the screws. It might not stick or add anything to the screws but nothing ventured.....
My table is going to be on casters and get moved a fair bit, so I might regret using pocket hole joinery on particle board, but I could sit here for years with paralysis by analysis. Sometimes you've just got it give it a crack.

[woodPixel]

7kg for a sheet that big seems a bit light. Be interested how it goes. I'm thinking of replacing my router table top and TS left side table....

They sell it in red too :) or fake oak: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/mix-and-match-desktop-1500mm-oak-owmm1500ok

[cava]

Good score.

I bought my 2400mm x 600mm tops from Bunnings as cover sheets for $5. But like everything else in life, got to be in the right place/right time etc. 32mm thick, but still sags. Go for as thick a top as possible.

[DaveVman]

7kg for a sheet that big seems a bit light. Be interested how it goes. I'm thinking of replacing my router table top and TS left side table....

They sell it in red too :) or fake oak: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/mix-and-match-desktop-1500mm-oak-owmm1500ok

Yes but I went with white because I think that will be a better option for working on to seeing everything and because the smaller sizes don't have it in fake oak.

[DaveVman]

Good score.

........32mm thick, but still sags. Go for as thick a top as possible.

I reduced the size of my table from 1100 to 1000 and from 700 wide to 600 wide to try to limit saging and because it dramatically reduced the price of materials to go to this standard size.
I'm still worried about these stories of sagging because I am going to experiment with lifters and so I might find I have all sorts of issues.

[DaveVman]

I reduced the size of my table from 1100 to 1000 and from 700 wide to 600 wide to try to limit saging and because it dramatically reduced the price of materials to go to this standard size.
I'm still worried about these stories of sagging because I am going to experiment with lifters and so I might find I have all sorts of issues.Comes packed and protected.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/b0b0260773fdee380fd246d90c62447f.jpg

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[ian]

I reduced the size of my table from 1100 to 1000 and from 700 wide to 600 wide to try to limit saging and because it dramatically reduced the price of materials to go to this standard size. good thinking

I'm still worried about these stories of sagging because I am going to experiment with lifters and so I might find I have all sorts of issues.cut some strips about 50 mm wide and glue and screw them on edge under the top to stiffen it.

[DaveVman]

I assembled it with pocket holes and didn't bother with the glue. I had some 16mm melamine in the shed for the back. However the 16mm with pocket hole screws didn't work out so well. Might be my lack of special clamps or it might be my jig is not accurate enough. Either way I think I'll stick with 18mm minimum material for pocket holes in future.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[russ57]

Another source of ready cut pieces is Ikea 'as is' room. Leftovers from broken packs mainly I suspect.




Russ