this post was submitted on 13 Oct 2023
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Woodworking

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Looking for suggestions for the top of this desk (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Hi all :)

Apologies, I know this isn't a woodworking question, but I don't know of a better place to ask about restoring a desk like this.

It's an oak desk, but it looks like there used to be a felt inlay, or maybe vinyl. The top of the desk has an inlay of plywood, with a small raised edge to the oak, of maybe 2 - 3mm. Staining or varnishing doesn't seem to be an option, as the style of the plywood doesn't match the rest of the desk, so I'm looking for ideas for the top.

Felt or vinyl would be the obvious options, but I'm hoping to hear some other ideas. It's going to be used as an office desk, with two computer monitors and a keyboard and mouse, but also for writing, mostly notes rather than anything serious.

The underside of the plywood has oak planks running from front to back, so there's the option of removing the plywood and putting in another piece of wood, but I don't want to spend too much if I can help it.

Does anyone have any suggestions or feedback please?

Thanks in advance :)

EDIT: Sorry if I'm a bit slow to reply tonight, I'm having a mad dash to tidy up and make room for the new desk. I've managed to plan everything backwards (again...)

Note for myself - the lip is 1mm and the plywood is 3mm, as best as I can tell without dismantling anything

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The cheaper option that would still look great would probably be to find a big sheet of oak veneer for the desk top. If it were me though, I'd probably try and remove the plywood and install some oak if you want it to match, or maybe a darker wood like walnut if you want a little contrast

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I didn't think of veneer, that's a good idea, thanks :)

I've just been looking at vinyl, but the shops here only seem to have the flooring patterns, so they're not doing it for me. I love the idea of replacing the plywood, but I'm trying to talk myself out of it before I get it wrong :D

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

An easier option might be thin oak faced plywood if there's enough of a rebate. Sheets of 4mm are pretty common and relatively inexpensive. It will be a lot easier to fit and stabilise than veneer.

Edit. Have a look for somewhere in your country like this that will cut it to size for you https://plydirect.co.uk/product/decorative-veneered-plywood-cut-to-size/

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh, wow, that's really helpful, thanks :)

I'm in South Wales, so they deliver here, and the prices are much better than I was expecting. They can do next working day delivery too, which is fantastic.

I'm having a tidying up session tonight to make room for the desk, but I'll check the depth under the plywood tomorrow and see where to go.

Thanks again :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

If the recess isn't exactly the depth of available plywood, unless you have a plunge router and are comfortable making a sled to route the recess slightly deeper, this might be a more difficult job than anticipated. Veneer would be more doable because they're super thin

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

So, not much of a woodworker myself but it looks like the top is in three panels? You could use that as an opportunity for contrast as mentioned above and make the whole project look like it has some design intentionality.

Maybe a darker ~~maple~~ walnut veneer for that center panel as mentioned above and leather for the two smaller outer panels as mentioned elsewhere?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

That's a good idea, I'll have a look at some different materials and colours, thanks :)

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As it is an old desk, the inlay was most likely linoleum, which is similar to the PVC mostly used nowerdays for floors, but, however, is made from eco-friendly material.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Funnily enough, my brother mentioned that, but I thought he was joking. I've had a quick look online, but have only found flooring patterns so far :)

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

3 27" monitors at 144hz and a flight stick. Play some elite dangerous:)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

If it was mine, I'd be with you, but it's for my wife

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

A slab of marble countertop

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

This would legit work as a kitchen island with minimal modding 👍

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

That would be nice :)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

That would be awesome, but definitely out of my budget :)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Supposing you can find enough of it affordably, you could veneer the whole top. To make it interesting you could try cutting it and applying it in a geometric pattern if that's your thing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I was looking for veneered panels to replace the plywood, but I didn't think to veneer the top >.<

That's a great suggestion, thank you. I'm going to price it up :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I hear it can be a bit of a process. I’d recommend researching a fair amount before diving in. That said I’ve been waiting for the right project to do just that. Best of luck!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Thank you :)