Are there table materials that can't be drilled into for accessories/cable management?
I couldn't find a clear answer anywhere, so thought this would be the next best place to ask. Surely some versions of laminate can't be drilled into, but which ones? Is there a list of table materials and features of all somewhere, possibly?
Posted Feb 8, 2021, 3:31 PM UTC
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I've read that cheap lightweight MDF tops, such as from Ikea, use a honeycomb pattern internally. There are certain 'safe' spots to drill into solid material. No idea how that is marked.
In general if it's a heavy top it's likely solid throughout. Drill a small pilot hole to prevent excess cracking/splintering but otherwise should be fine.
Weight is the best answer. Solid core is about 5lbs per sqft so a 30x72 is 75lbs.
All solid core is perfectly fine to drill into. MDF cores have less holding power than partible board core so it is easy to over rotate the screws and basically auger out the hole. Just turn down your drill settings or finish with a hand screwdriver.
MDF
Partible Board
Plywood
Solid Wood
Unfortunately a lot of people don't disclose their core material but must contract vendors like steelcase, Herman Miller, Haworth ETC will have a solid core.
If you have a specific vendor in mind, I can check!
Thanks for the info! I can get the Switchback table from SitOnIt using my companies 50% discount, so it's in the price realm of other mainstream tables. Can't seem to find any reviews on it though. There website simply says it's a laminate table. Do you know anything about them?
You should be fine with them. The assuming they haven’t switched vendors lately it would be solid core.
Great, thanks for the help!!
::cries in Ikea Linnmon top::
The way it's built you may just have enough space in that top*.
*: IKEA I'M SORRY I LIKE YOUR STUFF I SWEAR
Totally! I think there is particle board around the edges and near where feet would get drilled but not the center. Personally, I'm on the hunt for a unicorn of a 30x60 inch butcher block. Home Depot has a gorgeous chevron pattern but the depth is only 25".