Computer benches for school

**Don Nethercott** · 19th December 2004, 11:50 AM

A school I work at is setting up a computer lab. We want to put in computer benches along three walls. They need to be 750 to 800mm wide. They will be 650mm off the floor. I intend to use steel angle brackets under to support the bench so there are no legs in the way.

Two questions-

The hardware store has suggested I use 16mm melamine for the bench top. Will this be strong enough and what support will be needed under it? (The wall has studs varying from 400mm apart to 600mm apart - a very old building)

Bunnings has brackets 500mm x 400mm (with a reinforced cross brace) - would these be strong enough to hold the bench, or should I get brackets fabricated - say650 x 650 made of steel 30mm wide and 2-3mm thick (these sizes are a guess only - there are probably standard sizes.)

The computers will sit approx 900mm apart (centre to centre)

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Don

**seriph1** · 19th December 2004, 05:29 PM

I think the operative word here is "sit" which is what I guarantee the kids will do ...... I am imagining the pint-size variety OF said kids, seeing you say the height will be 650mm. (although we are talking monitors so perhaps the lower bench is because of that) 16mm Melamine will fail in short order I feel due to even small a*ses. The bracket's length means that you will be supporting 500mm, therefore the unsupported distance will be up to 300 - again, disaster for bums.

I feel 32mm is the way to go. The front could be supported by a hardwood fascia, which would help a lot in gaining rigidity.....lots of glue/screws. rebated in if possible.

To add length to the brackets, fix them 19mm loxer than if they were fixed to the benchtop and add a piece of 70/90/108 X 19 flooring to them - THEN attach the benchtop to that stuff ..... give a better surface to screw into anyway.

At the end of the day (a time all kids LOVE when it comes to school) there are a range of ways of doing this, but short of listing all the possibilities, I just feel that 16mm particle board would be a disatser.

have fun!

ps. even the weight of the monitors will be substantial as they have to be 7-15 Kgs each, depending on size.

**Jacksin** · 19th December 2004, 06:41 PM

I agree with Seriph on the benchtop thickness needs to be thicker than 16mm. The weight factor will be a major problem here especially if the bench is sat on.

You will be placing an awful lot of weight on this very old stud wall (I think too much) and it would be far stronger and safer with an occasional front leg.
Jack

**journeyman Mick** · 19th December 2004, 10:08 PM

Don,
I would be using a 33mm laminated top. Fix a full length cleat along the wall to sit it on. I would not be trusting brackets at all, like Steve says the kids will sit on the bench with catastrophic results. Instead of using legs consider a box to hold the tower case in as a bench support. This will free up the work area and allow for extra workstations in the future.

Mick

**bitingmidge** · 19th December 2004, 10:42 PM

Yep. Wot Mick Sez! Word for word!!!

(We've obviously made the same mistakes!)

P

**Don Nethercott** · 19th December 2004, 10:52 PM

Thanks guys - you said what I suspected. Unfortunately Bunnings said the only thing thicker than 16mm they had was yellow tongue.

Guess I'll have to get them to recheck their computer or try somewhere else - and there are not many elses in Grafton.

Mick - you suggested laminated - do you mean ply or 33mm chipboard with melamine.

Re the tower case suggestion - don't know yet whether we will be getting towers or desktops - most computers in the school currently are desktops. However monitors will be light as the new schools contract calls for flat screen monitors.

Thanks
Don

**journeyman Mick** · 19th December 2004, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

Yep. Wot Mick Sez! Word for word!!!

(We've obviously made the same mistakes!)

P

Dunno about your mistakes Midge, but I've never had anything collapse or fail due to being underdesigned. My wife complains that anything I make needs half a dozen blokes to lift. I reckon I'd make a good risk assessor, I always try to work out if something has a weak point before I build it. But yeah, I do make mistakes, why I remember just the other day in '73 I made one.......

Mick (who unfortunately continues to make mistakes)

**journeyman Mick** · 19th December 2004, 11:02 PM

Don,
get a cabinetmaker to make you up some 33mm thick laminated tops with a post formed bullnose edge. There should be someone in the area doing them. Contact your nearest Laminex branch (132 136 will get the nearest) and ask them who near you buys off them. Alternatively you can laminate your own tops up with a bullnose timber edge. Laminex should be able to supply materials.

Mick

**bitingmidge** · 20th December 2004, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Dunno about your mistakes Midge, but I've never had anything collapse or fail due to being underdesigned.

Failures have always been through underBUILDING!!

Desks built as described don't fall down, but I have had a cabinet maker spread the span a tad too far (not as drawn!) giving a bit more flex than one would hope for.

I actually can't think of anything that's fallen over either, so maybe we both overdesign!!

Now boats for racing in...that's another matter: my rule of thumb there: If it doesn't break, it was too heavy...if it does break, it wasn't strong enough!!

Cheers,

P

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