Building table in MDF and avoiding flex ??

[Kemi]

Hello!

I am planning to build a large dining table 240x110 in MDF.

I will have so-called "string" legs in chrome metal.

The problem is how to avoid the table sagging with such a large span?

It must be about 200 in measurement between the legs to fit 3 of our chairs.

I initially thought of making it in 22mm MDF but it is not available here in Kiruna.

I tested with both 16mm and 19mm MDF but those boards sagged quite a bit.

I absolutely do not want to build a frame with beams underneath; if I have to, they should be max about 15mm thick so as not to be visible from the side. So a possible solution would be to have a welder make a frame of profile iron, but it feels a bit cumbersome to start with.

How much stiffer would it be if I glued and screwed together 2 pieces of 12mm or 2 pieces of 16mm MDF?

Or do you have any other tips?

It doesn't necessarily have to be made of MDF, but I will spray paint it so MDF feels most suitable.

Best regards, Kemi

 

[DeEss]

Oh dear...
Here I am on the other end of the country with exactly the same thoughts.
Are you also planning to have your table in an ellipse shape, or?

I was actually thinking of using two boards and gluing + screwing them together.
To further reinforce it, I was thinking of gluing and screwing two strips of oak
or another hardwood on the underside, along the length of the table.
I was imagining the dimensions of these to be about 22x70 (hxw).
This way, I believe I can achieve a stronger construction, without flex.

Regards,
Daniel

 

[Tossegubbe]

There will be some flex even if it's 30mm unfortunately, but to minimize it you can always place a couple of solid flat irons underneath, for example, 15x80 (if you can't increase the thickness that is).

 

[lajsiiwan]

Two MDFs in thickness with a milled iron between the layers.

 

[666kalle]

I glued together two 16mm MDF boards for our dining table and it doesn't flex at all. Granted, it's "only" 180cm long. But you can choose 19 or 22mm instead for your table length. We also added chrome "String legs" to the table.

You can find pictures here:
http://inspirationsdesign.blogg.se/2008/may/stolarna-vi-kopte.html#comment

 

[Kemi]

Thank you for all the answers!

Yes, it will be a kind of "Super Ellipse" table.

Two boards with inlaid flat iron sounds like a good idea. That way it will be clean and strong.

That idea needs to be developed further.

Best regards, Kemi

 

[DeEss]

Checked at home with mom & dad tonight...
They have an elliptical "store-bought table" with about 22mm birch-laminated MDF.
Approximately 160 cm between the legs of it.
Is it really that much weaker if you make it 200???

I glued together two 16mm MDF boards for our dining table and it's not wobbly. It's admittedly "only" 180cm long. But you can choose 19 or 22mm instead for your table's length. We also put chrome "String legs" on the table.

Pictures can be found here:
[link]

Nice table, although it seems like the ladies got fixated on the chairs in the attached link...
Did you spray or roll the table?
And are the legs from Ilva?

Also completely off-topic, but could you ask your wife/partner what font she uses for the "Inspiration & design" text in the logo??? Seems like it's her blog...
There was a lot to read there... Saving it among "favorites"...

//Daniel

 

[lajsiiwan]

Thanks for all the answers!

Yes, it will be a kind of "Super Ellipse" table.

Two boards with milled flat iron sounds like a good idea. That way it will be clean and strong.

That idea needs to be developed further.


Best regards, Kemi

To maintain a sleek impression (which I assume you want), you can mill a narrow bevel on the underside along the edge

 

[666kalle]

Checked at mom & dad's tonight...
They have an ellipse-shaped "store-bought" table with about 22mm birch laminated MDF.
Estimated 160 cm between the legs on it.
Does it really get that much weaker if you make it 200???



Nice table, though it seems like the ladies have become fixated on the chairs in the attached link...
Did you spray or roll the table?
And the legs are from Ilva?

Also completely off-topic, but can you ask your wife/partner what font she uses for the text "Inspiration & design" in the logo??? It seems to be her blog...
There was a lot to read there... We'll save it among "favorites"...


//Daniel

I sprayed the table, the legs indeed come from Ilva. I'll check with my partner about the font.

 

[666kalle]

To keep a sleek impression (which I suppose you want), you can mill a tight chamfer on the underside along the edge

It probably doesn't show very well in the pictures I linked to, but I have milled it as you suggested. It tricks the eye a bit so the board looks a bit more streamlined.

 

[manose]

Also completely off-topic, but can you ask the wife/partner what font she used for the text "Inspiration & design" in the logo??? Seems to be her blog...
There was quite a bit to read there... Saving it among "favorites"...

Now, I'm not Matte's partner but the font seems to be Mistral.
There is a service called WhatTheFont that can identify fonts from, for example, a screenshot.

http://new.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/

 

[DeEss]

Now, I'm not Mattes' partner, but the font seems to be Mistral.
There is a service called WhatTheFont that can identify fonts from, for example, a screenshot.

[link]

Yeah, oh dear - here I am with hundreds of fonts on my computer, and it's a standard font!
Checked on WhatTheFont last night but not carefully enough evidently

Thanks for the help!

//Daniel