Desktop project

[KiwiInLondon]

Hello, I am an DIY enthusiast looking for a slab with a live/waney edge to make a desk. My wife and I recently finished our house renovations, thankfully just in time to work from home at a time like this. At present I'm dominating the dining table and the wife swaps between the table and the kitchen bench (mostly because she doesn't like to sit for long but I'm sure she thinks I'm too noisy!). In any case we need a desk and it was always my intention to make a custom desk that I could hopefully be proud of.

 

Basically I would like to get a dry wood slab with a good looking grain (wood species such as ash, oak, elm, walnut, chestnut, beech and similar are of interest but then there's probably many others which look great), I plan to do all work myself in getting it to a presentable state, then attach it to a desk frame. I am expecting to put in a fair amount of work into the slab/desktop and know it's something I can't rush, however although my limited knowledge is on the increase, it's still limited plus we would like to get the desk setup, especially as the frame arrived just the other day. Plus the wife harps on at me about getting a desk top "any one - pick one Tim before I turn 60!" and I can tell you I really do not want to resort to Ikea. So I know that the dimensions I need are something that's 1400mm long x 700mm wide x 40mm thick. I know that I would be doing a lot of sanding and finishing work and possibly (read: ideally not!) filling in with the odd bit with resin (something I have seen on youtube but never done). I also know that my budget would be ideally no more than 200£ - some might be quick to react to this but it's my aim (renovations have taken their toll).

 

I am unsure as to whether I should be getting a slab that's been kiln- or air-dried but i know it should ideally have a moisture content of no more than 10-15%. I am unsure whether it's unreasonable/impossible to ask for a slab without cracks, no wood worm etc but that's a conversation we can have or at least something I can come to better understand!

 

If there are questions I haven't asked yet which should be asking others (or myself), or you need additional information, or you have something that might just be what I'm looking for, let me know - I look forward to your reply. Oh, as I don't have transport, it would have to be delivered to Romford (RM7 9DA) - maybe I can investigate transport if it's something you can't provide.

 

Thanks - Tim. 

 

p.s. If anything good comes out this you will be recognised (I will do what it takes whether reviews or referrals or I maybe able to help with website work!) - i'm just hoping I don't have to resort to Ikea...

 

 

Edited April 29, 2020 by KiwiInLondon

[Woodworks]

I have a board of ash in the shed that would probably fit the dimensions given. Flat as a pancake and .air dried for about 15 years. Not sure on transport though as I am in Devon. Can get some pics tomorrow if of interest

[KiwiInLondon]

6 minutes ago, Woodworks said:

I have a board of ash in the shed that would probably fit the dimensions given. Flat as a pancake and .air dried for about 15 years. Not sure on transport though as I am in Devon. Can get some pics tomorrow if of interest

Thanks for that . 

[Dan Maynard]

I have a couple of old table tops in the garage, beech and oak which gives me an idea..

You might be able to scout out an old second hand table to plane down and refinish? My brother got some old school science lab desks once, marvellous timber when taken down to a fresh surface. Obviously if you can find a good board at the right price but an old oak table with horrible looking legs couldn't be more than £100 on Gumtree?

[KiwiInLondon]

15 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

You might be able to scout out an old second hand table to plane down and refinish?

I won't lie, I've been tempted to go down that road but I feel it wouldn't be as 'unique' if you know what I mean. I may resort to this, that's if I can find something ideal to work with, if the slab route is a no-go.

[AngrySquirrel]

On 29/04/2020 at 22:50, Woodworks said:

I have a board of ash in the shed that would probably fit the dimensions given. Flat as a pancake and .air dried for about 15 years. Not sure on transport though as I am in Devon. Can get some pics tomorrow if of interest

Can wrap it and parcel farce it one of the idiots will carry it

[Will C]

Paisley freight are good for odd size stuff that doesn’t fit in a standard box

 

Paisley Freight - Alloy Wheel Courier, Bike Courier, Car Parts Courier

WWW.PAISLEYFREIGHT.COM

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Paisley Freight are a UK specialist goods courier sending alloy wheels, tyres, bikes, car parts and sports equipment.

 

[KiwiInLondon]

Ok, maybe it was inevitable but I ended up not getting a slab, due to price, options within my price bracket, the pandemic making some sources not contactable and sometimes transport issues. I thought of going with a table top but ending up getting a worktop made of walnut. Can I please have your opinion on the best way to shallow bevel-cut 3 of the 4 edges? I've marked in this picture the type of cut I want to make.. I should note a few things that would determine what's suggested:

-  The worktop is heavy (about 30kg) and measures 1400x720mm

- I only have a mitre saw - in order to make these bevel cuts I may need a table saw or skill saw

- A would need a jig of some sort

 

Edited May 11, 2020 by KiwiInLondon

[Mike Dempsey]

You could also use a hand plane which would probably be safer in the hands of a beginner.

 

Mike

[Conor Wright]

A series of vertical cuts with a tenon saw, matching the angle of the blue line, an inch or so apart, chip waste out carefully with a chisel and finish with a hand plane, sand and seal. Done by lunchtime.