I have a fairly large (1.4m x 0.8m) wooden desk - ex-MoD, collapsible
but quite sturdy. The inlay is cracked throughout, and I'd like to
replace it.

Any recommendations on a source for the inlay? Leather would probably be
too thick and expensive, and not possible in one piece. The existing
looks to be a thin sheet of vinyl - has the appearance of bakelite.

Also any tips for removing the old and sticking the new - although
videos showing the same process with leather inlay desks suggests that
it shouldn't be too tricky, just time consuming. Biggest challenge for
me would be cutting the precisely to size, I think.

--
Cheers, Rob

On 28/09/17 09:30, RJH wrote:
I have a fairly large (1.4m x 0.8m) wooden desk - ex-MoD, collapsible
but quite sturdy. The inlay is cracked throughout, and I'd like to
replace it.

Any recommendations on a source for the inlay? Leather would probably be
too thick and expensive, and not possible in one piece. The existing
looks to be a thin sheet of vinyl - has the appearance of bakelite.

Also any tips for removing the old and sticking the new - although
videos showing the same process with leather inlay desks suggests that
it shouldn't be too tricky, just time consuming. Biggest challenge for
me would be cutting the precisely to size, I think.


Formica?

Not that easy to find these days- or it wasn't the last time I needed some.

Cutting can be 'interesting', I just cut over size and trim to size by
filing. You can cut with fine saw.

Contact adhesive will secure it- Evostick is what I've always used but
there are probably more modern alternatives.

On 28/09/17 09:30, RJH wrote:
I have a fairly large (1.4m x 0.8m) wooden desk - ex-MoD, collapsible
but quite sturdy. The inlay is cracked throughout, and I'd like to
replace it.

Any recommendations on a source for the inlay? Leather would probably be
too thick and expensive, and not possible in one piece. The existing
looks to be a thin sheet of vinyl - has the appearance of bakelite.


I wouldn't be so sure

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEATHER-IN...-/111039889463

But if you want a really tough finish, the stuff used to cover music
equipment flight cases is pretty good

https://www.adamhall.com/shop/gb-en/...0/0154?c=14524


Also any tips for removing the old and sticking the new - although
videos showing the same process with leather inlay desks suggests that
it shouldn't be too tricky, just time consuming. Biggest challenge for
me would be cutting the precisely to size, I think.


cut a paper or cardboard template first

On Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:30:54 UTC+1, RJH wrote:
Any recommendations on a source for the inlay?

Real linoleum is quite trendy at the moment.

Owain

On 28/09/2017 09:58, Tjoepstil wrote:
On 28/09/17 09:30, RJH wrote:
I have a fairly large (1.4m x 0.8m) wooden desk - ex-MoD, collapsible
but quite sturdy. The inlay is cracked throughout, and I'd like to
replace it.

Any recommendations on a source for the inlay? Leather would probably
be too thick and expensive, and not possible in one piece. The
existing looks to be a thin sheet of vinyl - has the appearance of
bakelite.


I wouldn't be so sure

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEATHER-IN...-/111039889463


Problem there (as I see it) is that it'd need more than one piece.
They're 32" (70cm) maximum widths, I think.

But if you want a really tough finish, the stuff used to cover music
equipment flight cases is pretty good

https://www.adamhall.com/shop/gb-en/...0/0154?c=14524


Ah yes, good thinking, thanks, that's more like it.

Also any tips for removing the old and sticking the new - although
videos showing the same process with leather inlay desks suggests that
it shouldn't be too tricky, just time consuming. Biggest challenge for
me would be cutting the precisely to size, I think.


cut a paper or cardboard template first


Yes, will do, ta.

--
Cheers, Rob

On Thu, 28 Sep 2017 09:30:51 +0100, RJH wrote:


Also any tips for removing the old and sticking the new - although
videos showing the same process with leather inlay desks suggests that
it shouldn't be too tricky, just time consuming. Biggest challenge for
me would be cutting the precisely to size, I think.

If it is the standard issue light brown surface it will break up come
out quite easily if warmed (not incinerated) and lifted out with a
stiff scraper. It is about 3-4mm thick.

On 28/09/2017 11:25, wrote:
On Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:30:54 UTC+1, RJH wrote:
Any recommendations on a source for the inlay?

Real linoleum is quite trendy at the moment.


That could work, and be fashionable to boot - but I think it'll be too
thick. I need to take a section off at some point - but it looks
eggshell thin.


--
Cheers, Rob

On 28/09/2017 09:30, RJH wrote:
I have a fairly large (1.4m x 0.8m) wooden desk - ex-MoD, collapsible
but quite sturdy. The inlay is cracked throughout, and I'd like to
replace it.

Any recommendations on a source for the inlay? Leather would probably be
too thick and expensive, and not possible in one piece. The existing
looks to be a thin sheet of vinyl - has the appearance of bakelite.

Also any tips for removing the old and sticking the new - although
videos showing the same process with leather inlay desks suggests that
it shouldn't be too tricky, just time consuming. Biggest challenge for
me would be cutting the precisely to size, I think.



Fake/Faux leather?
Example
1.37m wide sold by the metre to a length of 25m @ £11 per metre
https://www.fauxleatherdirect.com/sh...x-leather.html



--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Thursday, 28 September 2017 11:38:20 UTC+1, RJH wrote:
On 28/09/2017 11:25, wrote:
On Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:30:54 UTC+1, RJH wrote:
Any recommendations on a source for the inlay?

Real linoleum is quite trendy at the moment.


That could work, and be fashionable to boot - but I think it'll be too
thick. I need to take a section off at some point - but it looks
eggshell thin.

Lino is too soft. The cheap option would be vinyl tiles, but do remove the adhesive on them, it's no use for anything. They're about 2mm thick. They're vastly easier to cut right than a single expensive piece of anything.


NT

On 28/09/17 11:38, RJH wrote:
On 28/09/2017 11:25, wrote:
On Thursday, 28 September 2017 09:30:54 UTC+1, RJHÂ* wrote:
Any recommendations on a source for the inlay?

Real linoleum is quite trendy at the moment.


That could work, and be fashionable to boot - but I think it'll be too
thick. I need to take a section off at some point - but it looks
eggshell thin.


The way wqe used to cover loudspaker cabs was to use PVA and a power
press with a bit of ply as a pressure plate. Then we tidied up the edges
with copydex or in extreme cases evostik.


--
"What do you think about Gay Marriage?"
"I don't."
"Don't what?"
"Think about Gay Marriage."

On 28/09/17 12:08, alan_m wrote:
On 28/09/2017 09:30, RJH wrote:
I have a fairly large (1.4m x 0.8m) wooden desk - ex-MoD, collapsible
but quite sturdy. The inlay is cracked throughout, and I'd like to
replace it.

Any recommendations on a source for the inlay? Leather would probably
be too thick and expensive, and not possible in one piece. The
existing looks to be a thin sheet of vinyl - has the appearance of
bakelite.

Also any tips for removing the old and sticking the new - although
videos showing the same process with leather inlay desks suggests that
it shouldn't be too tricky, just time consuming. Biggest challenge for
me would be cutting the precisely to size, I think.



Fake/Faux leather?
Example
1.37m wide sold by the metre to a length of 25m @ £11 per metre
https://www.fauxleatherdirect.com/sh...x-leather.html



Neat stuff!


--
"What do you think about Gay Marriage?"
"I don't."
"Don't what?"
"Think about Gay Marriage."

RJH writes:

I have a fairly large (1.4m x 0.8m) wooden desk - ex-MoD,
collapsible but quite sturdy. The inlay is cracked
throughout, and I'd like to replace it.

Any recommendations on a source for the inlay? Leather would
probably be too thick and expensive, and not possible in one
piece. The existing looks to be a thin sheet of vinyl - has
the appearance of bakelite.

Polyflor do some vinyl that might do http://www.polyflor.com/ €”
I used some offcuts from my kitchen floor to make inlays for
kick plate drawer fronts and it worked well. Theres also
Marmoleum furniture linoleum
http://www.forbo.com/flooring/en-au/...inoleum/bkwpe3
specifically intended for this purpose.

--
Jón Fairbairn