I'm looking to buy this desk: https://a.co/d/g7m9WWv. The monitor shelf is too small for my monitor stand, which measures 31"x15". I'm considering using a 3/4" board mounted on top, with all the overhang on one side. I want to avoid using screws—could bar clamps work, or do you think I should combine them with wood glue? Is this setup safe for a 40lb monitor, given that most of the weight will be at the overhanging edge?
2 Answers
You might want to look into getting a clamped monitor arm for better flexibility if you can swing it. They come in various sizes and offer easy adjustments. But if you're adamant about the board solution, consider using two boards. You can glue or screw them together and then clamp them down, with the second board supporting the overhang. It's better to be safe with that monitor weight since the main piece is MDF—it might need additional support to keep it steady.
Try using two boards: the top one on your desk and a second underneath. Use a few c-clamps to tighten everything together, kind of like a wooden sub sandwich! If you can pull the desk forward a bit so that the weight mostly rests on the solid part of the setup, that’ll help a lot. It'll minimize the twisting force on the shelf and distribute the weight more evenly.