I'm building a desktop that will have about an 8" overhang on the front as well as an unsupported span of about 30" in the kneehole area. The material for the desktop is 3/4" quartersawn white oak plywood. I considered a torsion box (per Niall Barrett's Desk book) but am afraid that the desktop will become too thick. I'm considering laminating the 3/4" plywood to some 3/4" particleboard then banding the edges with some 5/4 stock bicuited into the sides. But something makes me think this is a bad idea. I fear the plywood and particleboard, while both pretty stable, may nonetheless react a bit differently and cause me some problems down the line.
I've scoured the net and this board but haven't found anything quite on point. Has anyone tried this successfully? Would laminating the bottom with 1/4" plywood be good insurance against warpage? I'd really like to keep the thickness around 1 1/2" if possible.
Thanks,
Steve Polaski