Calculating table's legs positioning

[ketamynx]

I have an MDF board (that corky stuff), 80x30" and 6/10" thick.

I want to make it a desk, so obviously I'm going to buy some legs from Ikea.

The leg is a regular tube, a socket and 5 screws.

Is there a way to calculate the safe distance to leave between the legs?
I mean I could just buy three legs and put them in a triangle shape but there's no guarantee of the board not breaking on heavier objects.

 

[mikegyver]

MDF can be moisture prone and is not meant for load bearing without lots of support. If you are using it as a desk it will sag over time with any weight. 1/2 MDF is not good desk material, it won't "break" like a solid board, but it's just not that strong.

Use 3/4" plywood and keep the span no longer than 3' between supports. Or just buy the ikea top, they usually sell them separately.

 

[mikegyver]

MDF can be moisture prone and is not meant for load bearing without lots of support. If you are using it as a desk it will sag over time with any weight. 1/2 MDF is not good desk material, it won't "break" like a solid board, but it's just not that strong.

Use 3/4" plywood and keep the span no longer than 3' between supports. Or just buy the ikea top, they usually sell them separately.