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Ideas on building desk

9/20/15       
Shep Member

HI guys I have a customer that want me to build this desk that I designed for them.

The desk is going to have post laminate for a finishd top and 1/4 glass above that.

I dont build desks a lot and I usually use mdf light weight when I am building but, was wondering what you guys use for a base for the laminate?

The reason I ask is that mdf doesnt seem to hold screws very well and with the span of the desk being over 9 feet long I dont want it to sag too bad or have the screws not be to tight.

The desk is going to be attached to a wall on 2 sides of it and I am going to use speed braces (fast cap) for the support in between. Any ideas on how to support the top? hope this makes sense thank in advance. Shep

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9/21/15       #2: Ideas on building desk ...
Mark B Member

Great design. Sorry for the response but seems pretty ambitious for the questions your asking?

9/21/15       #3: Ideas on building desk ...
Shep Member

Hey Mark thanks for the response, I know that i can build it and it will be ok. I was just wondering what other people use for there substrates.

I just dont like the screw holding power of mdf but I like the flatness and I will have to seal the under side to keep from any warping as well.

I like the holding power of cabinet grade plywood but worried about warping and not staying flat enough.

I know my posts dont always make the most sense, I am a lot better at talking than typing.haha thanks

9/22/15       #4: Ideas on building desk ...
Gary B.

Shep,

I always hear that MDF doesn't hold a screw well. What people should say is "MDF doesn't hold a screw well, if it's not prepared correctly".

I have several drawers I made in a shop cabinet out of 1/2" MDF. A butt joint with two screws in each joint. I made it over a decade ago. they are holding up just fine. A design constraint of MDF is that it likes to split if there is any wedge action, such as a screw that is not properly predrilled. The trick is to make sure you predrill both pilot holes and clearance holes in your pieces. and countersink if needed, instead of trying to get the screw to countersink, like you can in plywood. Be sure the pilot hole is no more than 1/64 larger than your shank size, and you will have a solid connection. Yes, it's definately more work than other cores, but sometimes it's worth it.

9/22/15       #5: Ideas on building desk ...
Kilgore Trout Member

Your firm confidence will not overcome the tendency for MDF to be unable to support even itself over spans. It will not prevent poor screw construction from coming apart. It also will not prevent the panels from warping due to imbalanced construction.

Have you ever built anything this large before? Laminated one side of large panels? Screwed large MDF panels together and then moved them?

9/22/15       #6: Ideas on building desk ...
Bruce H

if your screws aren't holding then you are using the wrong screw. Not all screws are created for use in MDF, euro and comformat screws are. Drywall screws are for, well... drywall.

9/22/15       #7: Ideas on building desk ...
Gary B.

Kilgore,

I'm not sure if you're asking me or the original poster. Let me know and I'll respond.

9/22/15       #8: Ideas on building desk ...
Rob Member

Hey Guy thanks for the responses I talked to one of my local vendors here in Phoenix and then he says they carry a product called Armored Core and he says that that is MDF board with plywood in the middle and an MDF board on the outside I think this is the route I'm going to go with sense it will stay nice and flat with the MDF on the outside but yet be able to accept screws pretty well with the plywood has anyone ever used a product like this. Bruce I will have to try those confirmat screws I have read on Wood web of people saying how good they are, I have never used them but that's a good idea and I will try that as well.

9/22/15       #9: Ideas on building desk ...
rich c.

There is a lot of unsupported span there. I'm certain you will have sag over time unless you build it as a torsion box.

9/22/15       #10: Ideas on building desk ...
Rob Member

That's a good idea rich and I never thought of A torsion box. I was just going to double up two sheets of three quarter inch of the armored Corps and put spacing every 16 inches to two foot on the speed braces that are 24 inches deep the tops only 30 inches total so I thought that would work would a torsion box work being that I'm only going to build the thickness and inch and a half to 2 inches thanks in advance

1/7/16       #11: Ideas on building desk ...
Shep Member

Hi guys just thought that I would send a update of a couple pics of the desk. I found a product called classic core here in phx az that is plywood sandwiched between mdf board.

The build was a pain in the but, but I did learn a lot and thanks for all of the tips and advice I appreciate it. Its not perfect but it came out pretty nice.


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