/diy/ - Do It Yourself

Everyone else has covered the 'metal top is not a good idea' stuff.

But op, simplest fix for your bowed desk is to purchase a simple 2x4, and attach it all the way along halfway underneath the desk. A single screw or nail on each side will hold it to the legs, and it'll completely remove the bowing in the middle.

Just make sure to butt it up hard against the underside of the desk. Easiest way is to flip the desk upside down when attaching it. Desk will now last forever pretty much.

Also just in case, if you've been buying chipboard veneer desks, you can pick up solid wood desks fairly cheap at garage sales and thrift stores, any they'll last forever too.

Current prices in New Zealand from a quick scan over trademe:

- 40ft containers are rare as balls because they're hard to move here, mostly just 20ft on offer.

- New one is ~5.5k NZD

- Good condition used one is ~3k NZD

- Lowest I can see for a crap one is 2.5k NZD