Anyone here own an IKEA Galant desk?

[Special K]

I had a couple of questions for anyone on here who owns (or has owned) the IKEA Galant desk:

1. Is your desk wobbly? I have the L-shaped desk (curves to the right) with the T-legs and it doesn't seem to take much of a bump to make the whole desk wobble. My regular typing produces enough vibrations to slightly shake my monitor and other things on my desk. Is the desk supposed to be this way? Should I have gone with the A-legs, even though they are cheaper? I assumed the T legs would be sturdier since they were more expensive. I already tried re-tightening all of the screws and it didn't seem to make much difference. This wobbling is quite annoying, which is unfortunate because otherwise I think this is a great desk.

2. What do you use to clean the surface of the desk? I have been using Endust, which says it can be used on all furniture, but it leaves streaks all over the desk.

 

[Leros]

The T legs are fine. The desk is not rock solid like a fancy wood desk, but its not wobbly when I type.

I clean mine with Windex.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Special K
I had a couple of questions for anyone on here who owns (or has owned) the IKEA Galant desk:

1. Is your desk wobbly? I have the L-shaped desk (curves to the right) with the T-legs and it doesn't seem to take much of a bump to make the whole desk wobble. My regular typing produces enough vibrations to slightly shake my monitor and other things on my desk. Is the desk supposed to be this way? Should I have gone with the A-legs, even though they are cheaper? I assumed the T legs would be sturdier since they were more expensive. I already tried re-tightening all of the screws and it didn't seem to make much difference. This wobbling is quite annoying, which is unfortunate because otherwise I think this is a great desk.

2. What do you use to clean the surface of the desk? I have been using Endust, which says it can be used on all furniture, but it leaves streaks all over the desk.

I use Pledge Multi Surface cleaner. I think it's in a blue spray bottle. It doesn't seem to streak for me. I like using it so I can clean the desk surfaces and the computer stuff with the same microfiber cloth and cleaner. Not sure if this has a factor, but I use the microfiber that is heavy as the terry cloth, not the thin, lens cleaning type.
It can get a bit wobbly. I have a heavy LCD that has a weak base, which contributes to this. But most of the time I don't notice it, since my typing isn't that heavy.
Nevermind the wobbly part. I am testing it now, and seems fine. I must really pound the keys to get it going. (Like how hollywood fakes computer geniuses typing kind of thing.)
-edit-It's Pledge Multi Surface, not Endust. Not sure how I got that confused.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: Special K
I had a couple of questions for anyone on here who owns (or has owned) the IKEA Galant desk:

1. Is your desk wobbly? I have the L-shaped desk (curves to the right) with the T-legs and it doesn't seem to take much of a bump to make the whole desk wobble. My regular typing produces enough vibrations to slightly shake my monitor and other things on my desk. Is the desk supposed to be this way? Should I have gone with the A-legs, even though they are cheaper? I assumed the T legs would be sturdier since they were more expensive. I already tried re-tightening all of the screws and it didn't seem to make much difference. This wobbling is quite annoying, which is unfortunate because otherwise I think this is a great desk.

2. What do you use to clean the surface of the desk? I have been using Endust, which says it can be used on all furniture, but it leaves streaks all over the desk.

I use Pledge Multi Surface cleaner. I think it's in a blue spray bottle. It doesn't seem to streak for me. I like using it so I can clean the desk surfaces and the computer stuff with the same microfiber cloth and cleaner. Not sure if this has a factor, but I use the microfiber that is heavy as the terry cloth, not the thin, lens cleaning type.
It can get a bit wobbly. I have a heavy LCD that has a weak base, which contributes to this. But most of the time I don't notice it, since my typing isn't that heavy.
Nevermind the wobbly part. I am testing it now, and seems fine. I must really pound the keys to get it going. (Like how hollywood fakes computer geniuses typing kind of thing.)
-edit-It's Pledge Multi Surface, not Endust. Not sure how I got that confused.

If you deliberately tap the end of the desk with your hand, does it take much force to produce a noticeable wobble in the desk?

If you grab one of the legs of the table and shake it with your hand, does it take much force to cause the table to wobble?

Upon closer inspection, it seems that I also have a heavy LCD with a somewhat loose base (Dell 2408wfp), so that is definitely accounting for a good portion of the wobble.

I guess I was expecting this desk to be rock solid, where if I bumped it with my hand, it wouldn't budge at all.

 

[sjwaste]

I have this desk, but with the white glass top and A-legs. I just use windex to clean it.

Doesn't wobble, although you can jar it side to side if you hit it hard.

 

[Atty]

I have it in the black wood, I've never noticed any wobbling. I've got the T Legs. I clean it with a wet washcloth (only water) and then dry it with a dry one. I never get anything on it that won't come off that way.

Is yours on tile or carpet? Mine is on some thick carpet so that might be why.

 

[nageov3t]

I've got a gallant L-shaped desk that I stole from work almost a year and a half ago... it wobbles a little if I push on it or something, but not really for general all-purpose use.

I've seen them stacked 5' high completely covered in 1U and 2U servers and stay standing, so I'm not particularly worried about it.

 

[SampSon]

Had the L shaped corner desk left, fake wood finish with T legs.
I gave it away because it felt about as sturdy as a house of cards.
It could have been the specific build quality of the desk parts I had, but it wasn't worth my time.

 

[teatime0315]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
I have this desk, but with the white glass top and A-legs. I just use windex to clean it.

Doesn't wobble, although you can jar it side to side if you hit it hard.

Mine is pretty much identical to sjwaste's, except I have black glass. No wobble here. IMO its a very nice desk

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: SampSon
Had the L shaped corner desk left, fake wood finish with T legs.
I gave it away because it felt about as sturdy as a house of cards.
It could have been the specific build quality of the desk parts I had, but it wasn't worth my time.

Can you recommend a higher quality replacement that is just as functional?

Also, for anyone who chimed in saying they own a desk without any wobble:

If you grab on to one of the legs and shake a little, does the entire desk wobble? Does it take much force applied to the leg to make the desk wobble?

By comparison, all of the desks I have seen in offices are rock solid - you can push on them all you want, but they don't budge at all.

Did I just get a defective desk or something?

 

[imported_Lothar]

What more did you expect from IKEA products?

 

[Uppsala9496]

I have the galant desk and it doesn't wobble at all. I have the A legs and it's very stable.

You sure you have all your legs at the same height?

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
I have the galant desk and it doesn't wobble at all. I have the A legs and it's very stable.

You sure you have all your legs at the same height?

Well, I placed a level on top of the desk and it's showing that the surface is level.

If you grab one of the legs with your hand and shake it a bit, does the table wobble?

 

[randomlinh]

uhh... you don't want the table to shake if you grab one of the legs? that's virtually impossible with IKEA. I love this desk series, just a bit pricey (have not found anything like it though, simple, basic L shape for less than $300, with that arc curve or whatever for where you sit).

It will wobble some if you jar it, but for normal use it's fine for me. This is based on my friend's, who has the A legs. I have a Jerker series desk that is good, and I get some shake only when i'm bouncing my leg fidgeting (i suspect the same with the galant series). I have the 2408wfp.

but yeah, if anyone has a suggestion of something like it and even cheaper, I'm lookin for it.. I really don't want to spend that much on a new desk setup if i can help it.

 

[Atheus]

IKEA sells by far the worst furniture in the world. Buy something made of proper wood if you can afford it, you probably can since IKEA is ridiculously overpriced, or if you can't just go get some planks from the local timber yard, stick some legs on, and plane it down flat. £20 tops and two hours work.

 

[Atty]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SampSon
Had the L shaped corner desk left, fake wood finish with T legs.
I gave it away because it felt about as sturdy as a house of cards.
It could have been the specific build quality of the desk parts I had, but it wasn't worth my time.

Can you recommend a higher quality replacement that is just as functional?

Also, for anyone who chimed in saying they own a desk without any wobble:

If you grab on to one of the legs and shake a little, does the entire desk wobble? Does it take much force applied to the leg to make the desk wobble?

By comparison, all of the desks I have seen in offices are rock solid - you can push on them all you want, but they don't budge at all.

Did I just get a defective desk or something?

Mine will wobble if I grab a leg and shake rather hard but normal use (typing here on my macbook, or on my keyboard for the PC, or working on the desk doing HW) never gives me any wobble, I've got all T Legs, but then again we used power tools to assemble this thing and didn't really follow the specified instructions, we did it our own way. Plus, I've got additions to the desk, maybe that's why.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: iAtticus

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SampSon
Had the L shaped corner desk left, fake wood finish with T legs.
I gave it away because it felt about as sturdy as a house of cards.
It could have been the specific build quality of the desk parts I had, but it wasn't worth my time.

Can you recommend a higher quality replacement that is just as functional?

Also, for anyone who chimed in saying they own a desk without any wobble:

If you grab on to one of the legs and shake a little, does the entire desk wobble? Does it take much force applied to the leg to make the desk wobble?

By comparison, all of the desks I have seen in offices are rock solid - you can push on them all you want, but they don't budge at all.

Did I just get a defective desk or something?

Mine will wobble if I grab a leg and shake rather hard but normal use (typing here on my macbook, or on my keyboard for the PC, or working on the desk doing HW) never gives me any wobble, I've got all T Legs, but then again we used power tools to assemble this thing and didn't really follow the specified instructions, we did it our own way. Plus, I've got additions to the desk, maybe that's why.

How did your assembly differ from the instructions?

 

[imported_Imp]

I use to have the 80cm x 60cm (?) Gallant with A-legs. It did wobble initially, but that was because I didn't tighten the screws from the frame into the wood enough. After I turned it over, put my entire body weight on the screw driver and screwed it in, the table was never sturdier.

Just clean it with a swiffer/swifter wipe. If you have a lighter colour, whatever, you can barely see the dust.

If it's wobbling on the floor (which my current desk did), then get some cardboard, cut into squares and put them under the legs. A load bearing leg should compress the cardboard while a non-loading leg will be supported by it. It has some shock absorbing properties.

Personally, I wouldn't go with A-legs. I accidentally broke one, and took it apart. Looks like the only thing holding it up is a rubber "O-ring" inside, gripping against the metal. I don't trust a $1000 worth of equipment on them. At least the T-legs look like they have bolts. I'm waiting to get the L-shaped Gallant with T-legs once I can afford it.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: Atheus
IKEA sells by far the worst furniture in the world. Buy something made of proper wood if you can afford it, you probably can since IKEA is ridiculously overpriced, or if you can't just go get some planks from the local timber yard, stick some legs on, and plane it down flat. £20 tops and two hours work.

Interesting.
Most people I know go there because their things are cheap.
They are essentially the "Wal-Mart" of furniture, without the good quality to go with it.

I personally don't go there because I want to buy something that lasts almost a lifetime, not something that wobbles or decides to break down after a few months.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Lothar

Originally posted by: Atheus
IKEA sells by far the worst furniture in the world. Buy something made of proper wood if you can afford it, you probably can since IKEA is ridiculously overpriced, or if you can't just go get some planks from the local timber yard, stick some legs on, and plane it down flat. £20 tops and two hours work.

Interesting.
Most people I know go there because their things are cheap.
They are essentially the "Wal-Mart" of furniture, without the good quality to go with it.

I personally don't go there because I want to buy something that lasts almost a lifetime, not something that wobbles or decides to break down after a few months.

so disagree, they are the walmart of furniture but since thats their business their cheapness comes with a reasonable amount of quality and design compared to other big box stores which have it as an after thought

maybe i just choose well but none of the ikea stuff i have is breaking after a few months.

 

[sjwaste]

I should clarify, I assemble Ikea furniture with power tools. I wound down those legs pretty good. Plus, the thick glass tabletop (I have the glass top, not wood w/glass topper) weighs it down so that it's really hard to move unless you jar it very hard laterally.

Ikea's not the best, but it's good for the price. Our basement is entirely done in Ikea furniture, down to the TV stand and filing cabinet. If the heater bursts and it floods, we're only out the Ikea prices. It looks good enough, too, and there's nothing wrong with even doing one's entire house in their furniture. Personal tastes and budget do factor in, you know.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Lothar

Originally posted by: Atheus
IKEA sells by far the worst furniture in the world. Buy something made of proper wood if you can afford it, you probably can since IKEA is ridiculously overpriced, or if you can't just go get some planks from the local timber yard, stick some legs on, and plane it down flat. £20 tops and two hours work.

Interesting.
Most people I know go there because their things are cheap.
They are essentially the "Wal-Mart" of furniture, without the good quality to go with it.

I personally don't go there because I want to buy something that lasts almost a lifetime, not something that wobbles or decides to break down after a few months.

so disagree, they are the walmart of furniture but since thats their business their cheapness comes with a reasonable amount of quality and design compared to other big box stores which have it as an after thought

maybe i just choose well but none of the ikea stuff i have is breaking after a few months.

But do they wobble?