Screwing into laminate floor

RichieP · Post by **RichieP** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:03 pm

I want to fix a pole to a laminate floor, to support the middle of a workbench. I've got the small circular collar that has 3 screw holes.

What's the best way to do it? Should I make a small hole with a drill first? I know how tough laminate is and I don't want to ruin it.

Thanks

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:17 pm

9mm of chipboard isnt a lot to grip also your likley to shatter the flooring if you hammer on your workbenck because your tube will act like a drill

i personaly would get a bit of wood 95mm square by 20mm thick drill 9mm deep hole and affix with double sided tape to the floor
possibly with a coin in the bottom of the hole to spread the load from the end off the tube accross the wood

RichieP · Post by **RichieP** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:12 pm

OK. Cheers.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:34 pm

A neater looking solution is to drill out the laminate with a flat/forstner bit the size of your tube (25mm usually or 19mm) and drop the tube in and screw the collar down with pilot holes in the laminate.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:32 pm

Marc wrote:A neater looking solution is to drill out the laminate with a flat/forstner bit the size of your tube (25mm usually or 19mm) and drop the tube in and screw the collar down with pilot holes in the laminate.

my only concern about that is the tube cutting into the main floor
the idea of a block was if it needs replaced a good sharp sideways tap with a hammer will release it and renew with a new block!!!

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:01 pm

But it will look awful. Take a piece of tube and try to hammer it through a flooring sheet/board and see how far you get, especially with a thin piece of metal or coin (2/10p??) under it as you said.
This all assumes of course that the laminate isn't laid on a concrete floor.

RichieP · Post by **RichieP** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:05 am

The laminate is laid on a concrete base.

I haven't done anything yet.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:30 am

is this actualy a workbench as such what are you doing on it!!!

what is the top made from!!!

what size is the spans [between supports]!!!!

RichieP · Post by **RichieP** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:15 pm

It's a cut down office table, made from mdf I think.

It's 2m across, suuported at either end and at the back by batons screwed into the wall.

I'll be doing computer repairs on it.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:26 pm

Do you do much hammering during the course of your computer repairs Ritchie?

I've fitted dozens of such poles to kitchen worktops etc with no problems. Just screw the socket to the floor making sure the screws aren't too long and hitting the concrete causing them to jack up the laminate.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:30 pm

this is why i asked for a few details

as no hammer will be involved 3x12mm +3.5 or 4mm screws should do

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:47 pm

You could use an additonal brace for the pole and the back wall to provide extra regidity and avoid screwing into the floor at all

I have a IKEA wardrobe system called Stolmen which is basically scaffolding poles and have about 9 of these poles just resting on the laminate flooring in the room without even screwing into the flooring and they are fine.