Extending a desk

twopenny

Not sure I get the drift.

If you don't have room behind the desk how will you add an extension to the back?

Even just a top bit of wood to put for support over the whole length of the desk plus wider to account for your laptop would give you quick and easy way and be well supported without any fiddling.

I did the same to mine when I needed the space.

SavingStudent1

twopenny said:

Not sure I get the drift.

If you don't have room behind the desk how will you add an extension to the back?

Even just a top bit of wood to put for support over the whole length of the desk plus wider to account for your laptop would give you quick and easy way and be well supported without any fiddling.

I did the same to mine when I needed the space.

So, I have a radiator behind my desk and a wall behind it, but above that area is open as I have a window sill and my windows. So, the top of the desk lies in front of the open area, so I have space to attach an extension. But, 3/4 of the desk lies in front of the radiator, so I can't really put anything in front of there, unless I move the desk backwards but then it won't be convenient for me in other ways.

How did you do that? So, did you put a longer piece of wood (size of the desk + extension) on top of the original desk top (top part of the desk)?

getmore4less

Why does it need to be the same level as the desk if it is just to store  the laptop and you won't be using it when there?

The complete top the right size has been mentioned 3 times now but you still not said how big the current table is.

A sheet of 18mm ply will run you £20(600x1200) or £40(1200x2400) Wickes.

its basically what this guy has done from V2 to V3. you can have any shape you like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnq-kY0VFBo

if you really won't be putting much on it then one option would be a sheet fixed to the underside of the table that sticks out the desired length and a smaller second sheet to bring the level up flush to the existing surface. a bit like V2 in te vid but the sheet clamped under and a second layer to get it flush.

You can get desk extenders that pull out.(and clip on ones)

or something like this might do the job.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M2D7628


Another limiting factor for you options may be access to the tools needed.

making_endsmeet

If you're still looking for a solution then you could just use a monitor arm with laptop holder from these guys https://www.officesupermarket.co.uk

https://www.officesupermarket.co.uk/products/universal-laptop-holder

https://www.officesupermarket.co.uk/products/kardo-single-pole-mounted-monitor-arm

I use it for my home office desk, as I have a laptop (that I put in the laptop holder) and then a separate monitor on the desk itself. The monitor arm just clamps onto the desk top so you don't need to mess about making holes/using screws etc!

BUFF

SavingStudent1 said:

But, what if I don't lean on the wood? I'm just going to be leaning on my desk to be honest, the wood extension won't really be touched unless I'm moving my laptop. It is almost like a monitor area - you place the monitor in its spot on the desk and just leave it there without moving it - except when adjusting. But, I am planning to create something like that: the wood extension would be a place for the laptop to just stay still until I am done with it and put it back away, or I could just keep it there all the time if it is not a problem.

Have you considered a slide out shelf under the table top? Really easy to make inexpensively.

SavingStudent1

getmore4less said:

Why does it need to be the same level as the desk if it is just to store  the laptop and you won't be using it when there?

The complete top the right size has been mentioned 3 times now but you still not said how big the current table is.

A sheet of 18mm ply will run you £20(600x1200) or £40(1200x2400) Wickes.

its basically what this guy has done from V2 to V3. you can have any shape you like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnq-kY0VFBo

if you really won't be putting much on it then one option would be a sheet fixed to the underside of the table that sticks out the desired length and a smaller second sheet to bring the level up flush to the existing surface. a bit like V2 in te vid but the sheet clamped under and a second layer to get it flush.

You can get desk extenders that pull out.(and clip on ones)

or something like this might do the job.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M2D7628


Another limiting factor for you options may be access to the tools needed.

I will be using the laptop when it is there, but I might just leave it there when I am not using it too if it stores well.

I prefer it to be level with the surface, because I need half of the laptop on the desk and the other half on the extension potentially. It really depends on what I am doing on the desk. I want it to be at a convenient distance because if I am writing notes on my pad and then want to type something on the laptop, I don't want to reach too far - if the laptop is fully on the extension, I won't be able to type as my arms are not that long.

Table dimensions: Height = 74 cm, Width = 100 cm, Depth = 40 cm


The table depth is 40 cm. To be honest, measuring it, all I need is a 10 cm extension in depth. Then, a 35 cm width to hold the laptop potentially.

So, my extension needs to be 10 cm x 35 cm, as I don't need the entire laptop to be on the extension, but just part of it.

SavingStudent1

making_endsmeet said:

If you're still looking for a solution then you could just use a monitor arm with laptop holder from these guys https://www.officesupermarket.co.uk

https://www.officesupermarket.co.uk/products/universal-laptop-holder

https://www.officesupermarket.co.uk/products/kardo-single-pole-mounted-monitor-arm

I use it for my home office desk, as I have a laptop (that I put in the laptop holder) and then a separate monitor on the desk itself. The monitor arm just clamps onto the desk top so you don't need to mess about making holes/using screws etc!

Thanks, that is a great idea!

SavingStudent1

BUFF said:

SavingStudent1 said:

But, what if I don't lean on the wood? I'm just going to be leaning on my desk to be honest, the wood extension won't really be touched unless I'm moving my laptop. It is almost like a monitor area - you place the monitor in its spot on the desk and just leave it there without moving it - except when adjusting. But, I am planning to create something like that: the wood extension would be a place for the laptop to just stay still until I am done with it and put it back away, or I could just keep it there all the time if it is not a problem.

Have you considered a slide out shelf under the table top? Really easy to make inexpensively.

To be honest, I haven't. This does sound a good idea for the future though, in this case I can't as then I'll need space to move back and this won't be convenient at the moment. But, I've had these in the past and they work really well when taking notes.

getmore4less

SavingStudent1 said:

getmore4less said:

Why does it need to be the same level as the desk if it is just to store  the laptop and you won't be using it when there?

The complete top the right size has been mentioned 3 times now but you still not said how big the current table is.

A sheet of 18mm ply will run you £20(600x1200) or £40(1200x2400) Wickes.

its basically what this guy has done from V2 to V3. you can have any shape you like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnq-kY0VFBo

if you really won't be putting much on it then one option would be a sheet fixed to the underside of the table that sticks out the desired length and a smaller second sheet to bring the level up flush to the existing surface. a bit like V2 in te vid but the sheet clamped under and a second layer to get it flush.

You can get desk extenders that pull out.(and clip on ones)

or something like this might do the job.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M2D7628


Another limiting factor for you options may be access to the tools needed.

I will be using the laptop when it is there, but I might just leave it there when I am not using it too if it stores well.

I prefer it to be level with the surface, because I need half of the laptop on the desk and the other half on the extension potentially. It really depends on what I am doing on the desk. I want it to be at a convenient distance because if I am writing notes on my pad and then want to type something on the laptop, I don't want to reach too far - if the laptop is fully on the extension, I won't be able to type as my arms are not that long.

Table dimensions: Height = 74 cm, Width = 100 cm, Depth = 40 cm


The table depth is 40 cm. To be honest, measuring it, all I need is a 10 cm extension in depth. Then, a 35 cm width to hold the laptop potentially.

So, my extension needs to be 10 cm x 35 cm, as I don't need the entire laptop to be on the extension, but just part of it.

that does not match what you said earlier.

But, what if I don't lean on the wood? I'm just going to be leaning on my desk to be honest, the wood extension won't really be touched unless I'm moving my laptop

if  the laptops on the extra bit and you use it there you will be leaning on that bit.

your main issue here is you don't really have a desk you have a shelf you are working on that is only 40cm deep, I would find 60cm tight

how come you won't be able to reach I thought this was going on the front of the desk.

one simple solution would be to fix two rails under the desk that stick out and just put something on those.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/rothley-galvanised-steel-angle-1000-x-24-x-24mm/290jp

cut in half to give 2 lengths of 500 fix 30-40 under the table and that will give 10-20 extension

one at the back edge and one so it supports but does not get in the way


how thick is the table top?
that would determine the number and type of fixing.
 
 

jamesd

The plywood top of the full size you want, whole table not just the extension, seems like the best way to go. You can get it cut to the exact size you want at the place you buy it from. You can use two g clamps near the back to firmly attach the extra top layer to the existing table in a way which won't be permanent, so you can remove the extra top when you leave. Total cost is likely to be £20-25 depending on the plywood thickness. 15mm hardwood ply is very rigid and more than you probably need. 

Something like Wickes Non-Structural Hardwood Plywood - 12 x 606 x 1220mm for £17 with free cutting is likely to be more than good enough. So's the 5.5 x 606 x 1220mmn for £13. Any local timber merchant or big DIY place near you will have something similar.

If you can make screw holes in the existing desk you can buy some ply of the same thickness as the existing surface and use jointing plates and screws to attach it as just an extension, not covering the whole table.

There will be a risk of tipping the whole table if you put lots of pressure on the extension beyond the outermost leg.