Ideas for wooden desk countertop finish

SKill7 wrote: ↑ Leaning towards the Ikea Gerton (100% wood) for the new countertop. What, if anything, can I do to smooth out the surface while reducing the stickiness? (Example: Will sanding down the surface be worth it? Perhaps some sort of countertop finish?)

ProjectPixelation wrote: ↑ +1 on the Gerton; it's what I have on my primecables sit/stand desk frame.

I originally planned to finish it using linseed oil - but after some research, realized it would take too much effort/time. So I opted for Danish Oil - though it was quite a bit of work, the result was 100% worth it. I got a pack of sandpaper (various grits) and a sandpapper holder/pad for a smooth finish. It took me about a week - with multiple coats of danish oil... but the end result is amazing and highly water resistant.

Make sure to follow all safety precautions when working with it - gloves, safety glasses, ventilated area and a glass jar (with lid) to store any saturated rags/paper towels (Fun fact: Danish Oil and Linseed Oils evaporates very rapidly - causing an exothermic reaction - which can cause the rags/paper towels to smoke and combust).

SKill7 wrote: ↑ What sandpaper grit did you use?

I think I will just sand it down and call it done for now.

SKill7 wrote: ↑ What sandpaper grit did you use?

I think I will just sand it down and call it done for now.

SKill7 wrote: ↑ Didn't have much choice but to use the Linnmon as the countertop. It sags a bit in the middle but the steel in the primecables should handle the weight adequately and can always reinforce the bottom with a steel plate or wood stud if need be.

Not ideal but will suffice for now.

ProjectPixelation wrote: ↑ Don't use any monitor mounts with a clamp style holder base; there's a good chance it'll snap through the thin layers of the Linnmon countertop... (It's actually super corrugated cardboard with thin sheets of wood).
If you're opting for a single monitor mount... you can consider using a rectangular piece of wood w/ a matching piece of paper towel sandwhiched between the linnmon tabletop; this should spread the weight greatly lower your risk - proceed at your own risk

Source:
https://external-preview.redd.it/FtxAcJ ... 7b996bbc2b

SKill7 wrote: ↑ Update: Unfortunately, Ikea Gerton has been out of stock in all 4 GTA stores since early/mid last week and its recent shipments have continually been cancelled or postponed. No luck on KJ/CL/Marketplace.

Have been out of a table for about a week now. Didn't have much choice but to use the Linnmon as the countertop. It sags a bit in the middle but the steel in the primecables should handle the weight adequately and can always reinforce the bottom with a steel plate or wood stud if need be.

Not ideal but will suffice for now.

SubjectivelyObjective wrote: ↑ So anyways, I see you are in the GTA, not sure where exactly, but Century Mill Lumber can joint up some boards for you at a pretty reasonable price. I think for a smaller desk like this, the shop charge might be around $100?

Then really, the wood is your pick:

Ash shorts are like $3/bf.
Oak Shorts and Maple shorts are $4 and change a board foot.
Cherry shorts are like $6 a bf iirc.

So all in all you get a nice glued up desktop for a very reasonable price. It will need some sanding, a simple router can do an edge profile, really you can do as much or as little as you want to do.

In the end you get a nice hardwood desk top. Their shop lead time is about 2 weeks most of the year.