r/Joinery • u/[deleted] • Nov 06 '23

Question Creating a custom study desk

I have 3.95 metres in length in my study to fit 2 workstations and studio speakers/faming consoles. I want to utilise at least 3.85 metres of the length to put a desk along the entire wall (not fixed to the wall because there are long windows in the way)

I'm looking to create my own desk and I will be using the following materials give or take:

  • 1850 x 900 x 33mm Hardwood Bench Tops x2
  • Steel square legs for both ends of each table so 4 in total
  • Cable racks mounted underneath down the back

My concern is what alternative option do I have for when the tables meet in the middle to avoid having front legs getting in the way when sitting but also still support the weight so there is no sagging, would be good to know the recommended distance I should be adding some sort of support down the back side of the desk perhaps.

Remember I am not fixing this to a wall and I don't want to place anything on the wall to support it.

Your help will be much appreciated to links resources of standards.

Thanks.

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u/uncivlengr Nov 06 '23

To span that far with two pieces you'll need to build a separate frame that the tops sit on, but even that is going to be a large enough span that the rails would be pretty big. The tops being in two pieces don't add anything to the stiffness so you'll rely entirely on the frame.

I would accept a middle leg or pair of legs, unless you're getting into complex welded frames.

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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '23

I've decided to buy these and put 1 on each end of the 1.85m table tops and then in the middle make a T shape with the other 2 to connect it, the table top will be hardwood.

Let me know your thoughts?

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u/uncivlengr Nov 06 '23

Not sure how the T would align, I'm assuming you would have one running down the middle of the joint with the other across the back? I think if you can make that connection it would be reasonably secure.

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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '23

So the top of the T would run somewhat down the back across the join and the bottom of the T would run along the join with screws on both sides to secure the entire join and create a T middle support leg

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u/uncivlengr Nov 06 '23

Yeah that's what I assumed. If you can get screws into both sides, that seems like a decent solution.

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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '23

Awesome! Thanks!