Desk made with cabinets and a door


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Old 04-13-17, 12:43 PM
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Desk made with cabinets and a door

Thinking of making our own desk out of a door placed on two file cabinets. The door will be 24' wide by 80" long. The file cabinets on each side will be 14.5" wide and 18" deep.

Is the width OK to hold the 80" long door without worrying about sagging or collapsing (plan on putting the cabinets at the ends of each side - but can move them in a little if that will help)

Is the fact that the door is 6" wider than the cabinets going to cause me any issues? Planned on putting door flush with cabinets in front - with overhang in back.

Will I be ok just putting the door on top - or will I need to attach it to the file cabinets? How?

Might wind up putting glass over the door - will that change any of the above answers?

Any other tips greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
 
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Old 04-13-17, 02:00 PM
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What kind of door (solid, hollow core, ...)?

What kind of load will be placed on the desk surface?
 
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Old 04-13-17, 02:39 PM
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The "temporary" desk that I made probably 20 years ago, with a pair of two drawer legal size file cabinets and a 30" hollow core door, still works fine. I just looked, and can see a very slight bow in it, but nothing that stands out because I have a pretty good eye for such things and hadn't noticed it until you asked. I let it overhang on each end about 1-1/2", and that's where I put a couple of small angle brackets to keep it from sliding. I mounted a pair of drawer slides on the inside of each cabinet, and built a 40+" wide by 30" deep drawer. On top I built about a 40" riser for the computer monitor, telephone, etc., so it's long enough that the weight is over the insides of the cabinets, rather than on an unsupported span of the door. Now that you've wrecked my day by asking about bowing, I may not sleep for the next few nights, until I get time to flip it over!
 
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Old 04-13-17, 02:46 PM
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As mentioned, depends how thick the door is and if its hollow or solid. Should be fine though. Also if you do put glass on it, it should be tempered glass with ground rounded edges.
 
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Old 04-13-17, 02:57 PM
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Probably solid core - but have not really made a decision yet.

It will be used as a typical office desk, monitor - maybe printer
 
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Old 04-13-17, 03:01 PM
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Before I'd buy a door for it I'd think about building the top. Solid core 2' door might be hard to find.
 
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Old 04-13-17, 03:14 PM
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I think it will be plenty strong for the items you describe. You could put a spongy mat between the cabinets and door to keep it from sliding around. Or use brackets like AKA suggested.
 
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Old 04-13-17, 03:23 PM
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Maybe looking at Masonite solid core. Marksr - they seem to have the 24" width at Lowes for less than $100
 
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Old 04-13-17, 08:36 PM
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I think all the advice given is good. If you consider the 2 file cabinet widths and the side overhangs you are only spanning less than 4 feet. You could use a hollow door or something like this:

Husky 72 in. Solid Wood Top for 6 ft. Solid Wood Top Workbench-G7200AS-US - The Home Depot

There are also less expensive tops like the link above that are made of 1" melamine, not solid wood.
1" melamine isn't going anywhere..
 
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Old 04-14-17, 09:18 AM
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You could strengthen the top a little by adding another door at the front as a privacy panel.
 
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Old 04-14-17, 03:20 PM
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Did some shopping around today - Lowes has a 24" x 80" plain wood door (I believe it's hollow) for about $30. Will probably go with that one and stain it.

Great help on here - really appreciate all the feedback. THANKS!
 
 

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