Thread: Tabletop help needed for a sit/stand electric desk (study office) in lounge

I would think that under either of these options, you will need a support structure. Your build plans are a bit vague, but if you're thinking it's a case of "4 legs and a table top", it won't be, you'll need lateral support structure, so you will need to design that.

The MDF option will weigh a LOT. I just got through making a monster workbench from 18mm MDF at 1200x2400 (it's a temporary workbench come table come everything else to assist in building other workbenches, hence the size). It bowed in the middle, slightly, with a 90mm frame inset 100mm from the edge and a 150mm middle bar across the 2400mm for additional support. I expected worse, and I expect if this were to live a couple years, it will get worse.

32mm MDF will weigh nearly twice as much. It is seriously heavy.

Your proposed dimensions of 1800x1000 are above standard desk size (nothing wrong with that), but be aware that 1000mm deep desk, when you're sitting at it, leaves a fair bit of stuff out of reach, leading to the potential of wasted space.

I suspect your pricing comes from Bruynzeel - they have some incredibly high quality birch ply, and it's a nice choice. Edging can be done with an edgebander (most likely you'll find a joinery shop with one, and have them do it), as the iron-on stuff isn't the best solution for a desk. Bruynzeel can help you with the edging to match their boards.

Consider they also supply veneered timbers - if you go there, they have a book they can go through with you, and they can supply you with (say) a Maple veneer on a sheet of "normal" ply. Whilst I have no clue on price, this might give you other options.

You can also find other, ready made desktops available at other places, e.g. Officeworks, and you could investigate those if you haven't already done so.

Hi

The LINAK system has a type of frame

https://cdn.linak.com/-/media/files/...sheet-eng.ashx

So I should not go as deep on the desk, 90cm will be good.

Birch Ply will have better strength?

I like the idea of the veneer on ply (it means I have less work to do)

Can I get the light birch in a veneer over ply?

If I was building a desk with minimal work, I'd grab one of these panels from Bunnings:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-rang...minated-panels

The panels might not be as wide as you like though. They've also got some 2400x900x35mm Vic Ash panels down here in Melbourne for $140. Not sure about Sydney.

They need a bit of sanding and they're good to finish. Nice and solid and you don;t have to worry about edge banding. Personally, I wouldn't use a veneered surface for a desk top. I like using solid timber.

80 cm might be an even better depth for your desk.
Essentially anything deeper than what is required to mount the monitors at the correct eye relief wasted space.

Baltic Birch ply should have an edge that is suitable for sanding and sealing, so perhaps you don't need any edge banding.

Originally Posted by super kermit

Can I get the light birch in a veneer over ply?

No idea to be honest - when I went there myself, I was hunting Birch Ply myself, and other sheet goods. The need for veneered material wasn't fully on my radar, but I do recall that we spoke about it, and that their book of available veneers was quite large with a wide choice.

They are also not the only veneer suppliers in Sydney - here's a few more I have bookmarked, but not spoken to. If you let your fingers do the walking, you could easily find a nice desktop between Bruynzeel and these others:

Yates Wood: Yates Wood Products | Timber Veneer Plywood Wood Panels
Forest Products: https://www.forestproducts.com.au/
Specialty Wood Veneer Panels: Index

So I have decided on a solid wood tabletop.

1.8m x 0.9m x 50mm thickness.

I want a very light coloured solid hardwood.

I am in Sydney, so am looking for a few timber yards I can ask to quote up.

Can anyone please help me.

Originally Posted by super kermit

1.8m x 0.9m x 50mm thickness.

Solid hardwood... forgetting about the cost of this, let's say you used Spotted Gum (it's one I could find the weight on). This weighs 940Kg per cubic metre (1,000,000,000 cubic millimetres). Thus, each cubic millimetre weighs 0.00094 grams.

Your proposed desktop is 81,000,000 cubic millimetres. It will weigh around 76,140 grams, or 76.14Kg. With nothing on it, no legs, no motors, nothing.

That is a very heavy desk! What weight can your motors support? Hint: With many, not all, the rated capacity of the motor/system for lifts and sit/stand desks is... optimistic, and will not handle the rated weight over a long period of time.

Seems an awful lot of maneuvering to fit much stuff into a reasonable area. I made a Blackwood desk (Room for a desk Top computer in a bay under the top) Monitor (room for two more 21 inch screens) Modesty screen along front and a seat with comfortable seating.

Next to it I have made a three tier standing desk. Room for the laptop that lives there now, but would easily hold multiple laptops or desk tops. Choice of screens is all yours.

So the system works when you stand up for the tall unit and sit down for thew table unit. Been comfortably working on it for about 3-4 years. I think it cost me about $300 for all the construction required, but it might have been less.

It's quite amazing how many work stations are reverting to this kind of arrangement. It need not look ugly. Maybe you could think of something like this?

Regards,

Rob

https://www.linak.com.au/products/lifting-columns/dl6/

https://www.linak.com.au/products/ac...es/kick-click/

1200N (120kgs) per column, 4 columns, one at each corner

https://ipaper.ipapercms.dk/Linak/EN...eetEng/?page=2

Specs are here

Originally Posted by lewisc

If I was building a desk with minimal work, I'd grab one of these panels from Bunnings:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-rang...minated-panels

The panels might not be as wide as you like though. They've also got some 2400x900x35mm Vic Ash panels down here in Melbourne for $140. Not sure about Sydney.

They need a bit of sanding and they're good to finish. Nice and solid and you don;t have to worry about edge banding. Personally, I wouldn't use a veneered surface for a desk top. I like using solid timber.

Can you give me a link to the panel you mention.

2400x900x35mm Vic Ash panels down here in Melbourne for $140

Bunnings might be able to order it for me

Sorry, no link. Doesn't seem to be on the site. I've seen them in store only. Try ringing up the Taylors Lakes Bunnings and see if they've still got them.

Both Ikea and ebay sell timber laminated panels at various prices, like this one: https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/40402444/
You can also try your local kitchen fit out suppliers.
By the way, I also have a standing desk at work, probably the same type that you're getting. Make sure it is motorized. If it is hand cranked, you'll get tired of moving up and down in a fairly short time. My has a memory of both two settings, one for standing and one for sitting. It also comes with a monitor arm that support 2 monitors, leaving clear space underneath. The table top is about 20mm white, probably made from MDF. Which illustrates that whatever benchtop you use, it will provide ample support because of the cross member on the stand.
I however think a timber top makes it look much nicer. I'll happily pay a premium for that.
IMG_20180730_074444.jpgIMG_20180730_074509.jpg

Hi

Thanks for the pics, but my system is totally different.

4 x Linaks, one at each corner, no middle support.

I am still looking for a single sheet of solid wood.