Plywood to temporarily englarge dining table

Emma79

Hi folks,
This Christmas I have 8 adults to seat (and feed!), and have a fairly normal sized table which we could fit 6 on at a push. I don't have any other tables I could use, so my grandma suggested getting a large sheet of plywood to put on top and covering with a tablecloth. Seems like a good and inexpensive idea, especially as I rarely have this many people to dinner.

However, I'm a complete woodwork novice! Can you buy plywood to size? and what about the thickness?

If anyone has tried this out I'd appreciate your advice... I would hate to see Christmas dinner on the floor!

Thanks,
Emma

M.E.

As students we used a door on two bedside tables!

mags50_2

oooo something I might be able to help with!
My hubby made me a tabletop of 1" ply. He got a sheet 8foot by 4foot and then he put lengths of 2" lats (don't know the correct word!) all around the edge to strengthen it. It seats about 20 odd of us...at a squash! We store it in the garage when we don't use it and it's definately one of his better ideas!
We have large old long windows so I used a pair of old bright cotton curtains, hemmed them and that is the tablecloth.
Don't forget to put something on top of your best table ...we use old newspapers...to protect it from scratching when you put the tabletop on.
Of course, you won't need one as big as that, but at least it gives you an idea.
HTH
x
sorry...forgot to say...you can buy it in smaller pieces...or maybe someone has a bit laying about that you could use.

Jorgan_2

Check out a local timber yard or B&Q, they will cut the wood to the size you require. Explain to them what you are trying to achieve and they should be able to advise of the best material to use, plywood, MDF etc.

Pink.

Hi Emma,

I've moved your thread over to the In My Home board to see if you can get some replies from the experts who post there.

Pink

richardw

Perhaps a folding table just to go at the end may be simpler, or a cheap table from https://www.ikea.co.uk

ormus

standard plywood size is 8x4. should be big enough as is.
getting it home will be your biggest problem. roof rack anyone?

try freecycle for free plywood and or free tables. you can always freecycle it again after xmas.

wallbash

As ormus has posted , your problem is transport. Solve that , and the idea is good.
Also would go for something a little thicker??
Remember the overhanging piece wont?? be supported??? A few heavy plates, stuffed with turkey, people leaning on the edge , wood slips!!!!!
Disastrous.

So its not just about slapping a large sheet of thin ply on a table and wishing for the best .

a&akay

We use an 8x4 ft MDF board 1 inch thick. No need to worry anymore about burning the table with hot items. It soaks up wine spills etc. Just cover with large tablecloth. Round off the corners with a jigsaw to a 9 inch radius otherwise painful bruises can result. Store upright in garage etc. It's heavy but ideal for 8. Most local timber merchants will deliver.

Emma79

Thanks everyone - I'll call timber merchants tomorrow!

:j

Yorkshire_Bred

Had the same problem the other year, just bought the interlocking loft floorboard packs from BQ- cheap, easy to carry, assemble and remove.