Fixing a bent wood(?) desk

[SupremePossum]

I have a desk, its a Mayline 37.5" x 60" Ranger 4-Post Drafting Table with Tool and Plan Drawers. It costs over $1400 new and its really, really nice. Has a very nice flat (Well, ish) top and we use it for general things in our home office room, and puzzles, etc. Great big flat surface to just do stuff on

We got it for the best price, $0. Issue is, someone I guess put something heavy on it for a long time once, and its not completely flat. Does anyone have any tips on trying to get it flat? My idea was to put something under the bend and very slowly increase the height of said item, so slowly bend it back. Should I be using heat? Should I just get a new top?

I don't think its real wood, I assume its some kind of manufactured project

 

[GMBoy]

Maybe place a 1/4" piece of clear plastic over top?

 

[97prizm]

I have a desk, its a Mayline 37.5" x 60" Ranger 4-Post Drafting Table with Tool and Plan Drawers. It costs over $1400 new and its really, really nice. Has a very nice flat (Well, ish) top and we use it for general things in our home office room, and puzzles, etc. Great big flat surface to just do stuff on

We got it for the best price, $0. Issue is, someone I guess put something heavy on it for a long time once, and its not completely flat. Does anyone have any tips on trying to get it flat? My idea was to put something under the bend and very slowly increase the height of said item, so slowly bend it back. Should I be using heat? Should I just get a new top?

I don't think its real wood, I assume its some kind of manufactured project

View attachment 236293

View attachment 236294

If the top is removable I'd suggest bar stock (steel plate) that has a slight bend to offset the desk bend. If not there are a number of diy websites that have repair sections.

 

[Pablo]

Depends a bit on what it is made from and the support.

Is it crushed or warped? Get some more shots of the edges and underneath if possible.

 

[SupremePossum]

Its warped, not crushed or broken in any way, I'll grab a pic

 

[burbguy82]

The top is likely laminated MDF, it warps in moisture, but is near perfect flat. It is a great table suface, as long as it does not live in humidity. It is unlikely that you will be able to make it near flat again. MDF is fairly cheap. A commercial cabinet maker could whip you up a top in no time.

 

[joegreen]

Can you buy a 4x4 square post from homedepot and put it under the middle of the desk?

 

[shortyb]

What do you need to do with the top that it should be perfectly flat? Used to work as an apprentice to a cabinet maker craftsman while in high school. He would bend wood with steam and a jig depending on what he was making. Worked pretty well, but it was hard woods mostly. If it is MDF, I wouldn't bother as it would probably get out of shape again. Once the glues break down and moisture/humidity gets into the wood sinters, it's hard to do anything with. You can try bracing from underneath, but if you want/need it perfectly flat again, I'd say get a new top. Engineered steel, butcher block, slate or concrete make great, absolutely flat, top material but are expensive though.