I'm planning to get a piece of hardwood plywood measuring 2000 x 700 mm and 24 mm thick to use on two Ikea Mittback trestles as a drawing table. I won't be placing any heavy items on it, but I'm concerned about potential bending. I've previously used a LAGKAPTEN tabletop (which was 2000 x 600 cm) made of fiberboard and it worked well, but now I need something larger. Based on your experiences, would this plywood setup be sturdy enough?
5 Answers
Consider adding some C channel stiffeners between the trestles. They’re specifically designed to provide extra support and will help prevent sagging over time.
Every material bends under load, but from what you've mentioned, your setup should create a really firm surface. If you're attaching both ends to the trestles, I bet it will deflect less than 1mm for every 23kg you put on it. Your hardwood should perform even better!
A 24mm thick plywood board should be quite sturdy. In fact, it's strong enough to support a significant amount of weight. The way it's made—layers of alternating grain pressed together—gives it impressive strength. You should be good to go!
An interior hollow core slab door could be a perfect fit for what you're looking for. They're lightweight yet surprisingly strong, making them ideal for surfaces like tables.
I've used a 19mm board that can support my weight in my camper, so I think you’ll be fine with 24mm.
That sounds reassuring! I've used a 19mm thickness for my setup and it was solid. A narrower board like yours should definitely hold up without issues.