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Options for desktop for DIY desk?

Hi I’m looking at making two desks for my partner and I as we move into our new appartment. What are my options for desk tops? It seems like there are several places on the website that have wood panels but not all the same size, or cost…

im hoping to get tops to about 1600-1800x900mm that I can stain or varnish and attach some ikea adjustable legs on as I am tall and most sitting desks aren’t the right height for me ergonomically.

any advice welcome and appreciated!

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @abarrow. It's fabulous that you've joined us, and many thanks for your question about constructing a desk.

900mm is fairly deep for a desk, and you'll find most of our panel products go up to 600mm. We do have the Selex 2100x900mm 30mm Clear Laminated Pine Panel, which you could cut down to suit your 1600-1800mm length requirement. As this is a Pine panel, you'll be able to stain and varnish it to your desired appearance.

If a standard Taskmaster 700 x 50mm Black Steel Table Leg was not high enough, you might like to consider using Kaboodle Chrome Island Benchtop Leg - 2 Pack, which would give you an additional 155-185mm of height.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

abarrow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/13712#Comment_13712

Thanks for the quick reply. I am more interested in a harder wood than pine as I know writing straight on to paper on pine will leave track marks and id like to have a durable surface that lasts.

I guess my focus is more on the 900 depth than ability to stain it, Im pretty set on having a deeper than 600mm desk as I need to make sure there is enough space between my monitor and eyes while taking hand written notes for university and my current desk at 700mm is too shallow for my liking which is why I have gone down the route of making a desk rather than going to ikea or officeworks.

I have seen that some Bunnings have the ability to cut to size, is there a shop in WA that will do that without making the cost astronomical?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/69367#Comment_69367

@abarrow,

We also have the Ash 2400 x 900 x 33mm Hardwood Laminated Panel and SpecRite 2100 x 1050 x 28mm Merbau Table Top if you were looking for a hardwood option.

Panel products like these are not suitable to be cut in-store. However, they can easily be cut down at home with a circular saw. Personally, I like to lay down some masking tape on both sides of the panels and then mark out the guidelines on them. This means that there is minimal tear out of the timber when the cuts are made through the tape.

Mitchell

abarrow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/97697#Comment_97697

Thanks, The ash is great options, though it appears unavailable online or anywhere in WA. It seems hard to find these larger than 600mm width panels online, if I go instore to Subiaco homebase, will they have these sorts of panels for me to have a look at? cutting it down to length is no issue, I have access to a circular saw, and plan to round the edges with a router.

As for treatment, what do you recommend for desks? Im pretty unknowledgeable with treating wood so any explanation will help haha

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/115521#Comment_115521

@abarrow,

I've just spoken with the team at Bunnings Subiaco and the only panels they have wider than 600mm are the AraucoPly 2100 x 900 x 30mm Clear Pine FJ Laminated Panel. You might like to speak with the Special Orders team to see what we could order in for you.

In regards to coatings, you generally would use a hard clear coat like Cabot's 500ml Satin Water Based Cabothane Clear Polyurethane Varnish. This protects the timber from staining and those track marks you were mentioning earlier. If you wanted to change the colour at the same time, you would use a stain and varnish. Here's a video showing How to varnish a timber tabletop.

Mitchell

abarrow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125648#Comment_125648

Thanks for talking to them for me! what would be my wood type options at that 900mm width? I will definitely look at the varnish and stain combo. is there a difference for desk surfaces between oil and water based? I think I like the look of oil based better...

StevieB

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132450#Comment_132450

Great to see that you've already received helpful advice from @MitchellMc. He'll be happy to help further when he's back on the site on Friday.

In the meantime, you might like to speak with the Special Orders team at your local store to see what wood options we could order in for you.

Let me also tag a few members who have recently shared desk builds to see if they can offer any thoughts on your question about oil versus water based coatings – @oheyitsbeano, @Nham and @cmstar.

Stevie

redracer01

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132450#Comment_132450

Hello @abarrow

I personally like to work with water based stain and sealer for the shorter drying time. Mind you there is nothing wrong with oil based stains and sealers. It all comes down to preference and personal choice. If you've worked with it before you will know how the stain and sealer will behave when used on timber. But at the same time using a water based one gives you the opportunity to try it out and see what kind of results you can get. Plus it adds to your knowledge of stains and sealers. As far as your bench top is concerned, there are choices to order some in but like you said you don't want it to be astronomical. I totally understand that and we are trying to go for best value. Your options are Kaboodle timber bench tops, bamboo tops at 2400x900 currently priced at 778.00 subject to availability of course. Then there is THINK timber bench top in Beech 2400x900 priced at 622.00, please be aware that both these tops will need to be stained and sealed. The other project panels at that size that @MitchellMc mentioned are the only ones that are currently available. You could also do it in plywood AA grade for a superior top finish, you would have to join 2 sheets together to achieve a 36mm thickness. One way to protect your desk from pen damage is to purchase a desk writing mat, it is made of PVC material and is transparent and hence will neatly blend in with your desk. The mat will take the brunt of the writing damage while keeping your desk blemish free. I hope my recommendations help. Please keep us updated with your project and if there is anything else we can assist with please post it here on workshop.

Cheers,

Red

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132450#Comment_132450

Hi @abarrow,

It's great to see the knowledgeable @redracer01 has been assisting.

I like working with the water-based options as well. I have used oil-based coatings several times before, but on one particular project, it yellowed, and I wasn't thrilled with that. I've never had any issues with water-based coatings before, and as Red has mentioned, they dry much quicker. The other reason I go with water-based is that brushes are far easier to clean. I'm a bit lazy, and if I use something oil-based, I know I'll throw the brush out instead of cleaning it.

Mitchell

Nham

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136598#Comment_136598

I like to use the timber panels that you get from Bunnings. They are easy to work with and the quality is very good for the price. For my last tables, I used the rubber wood worktop that Bunnings was selling for $69 and also the Oiled Karri Laminated Panel for $129. At the moment, I am using the spotted gum which is just beautiful, full of colour and amazing patterns. As you are moving to a apartment, I would go for the light colours as a desktop. Personally, I like the water base coatings, such as clear coats, stains and paints. Just easier to work with and clean up. Good luck with your tables @abarrow .

oheyitsbeano

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136598#Comment_136598

I used Bondall Monocel Clear Wood varnish to create a nice glossy finish for my desktop. It turned out really well but in future I would highly recommend using a water-based coating. I'd start with a water-based varnish, then top it off with a two-pack acrylic clear-coat, and then use cutting compound (such as Meguiar's Ultimate) on a medium cutting pad with my Dual-action polisher, followed by a light buff with a polish pad on the same tool.

Automotive clearcoats deliver a nice, hard surface which responds well to cutting, polishing and buffing. You'll get that french-polished look without the need for all that business with Shellac, and in some cases it'll last longer. I would highly recommend using a desk mat as well though. Mostly to give your mouse a nice gliding surface.

DCS

A lot of great advice here from every direction. Please allow me to add my 2 cents worth. I have a desk that is just over 800mm deep, and I could definitely use more room. Personally, I love the look of Merbau and the 1050mm depth would be great for me.

As for coatings, I've used both oil and water-based products. I prefer to use water-based products myself (the Cabots polyurethane is great) as they give just as good a result as the oil-based ones these days, and they are way easier to clean up afterwards. But in the end, it all comes down to personal preferences. All the best.

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