# How to keep a table from sliding off a desk
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [April 14, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111 "2014-04-14T20:32:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/1 "2014-04-14T20:32:06Z")
I am putting a small side table on top of a narrow desk with beveled edges. The desk is just barely wide enough to hold the side table.
The bottom of the legs of the side table are square, about 1x1 inches. The side table legs hang slightly over the beveled edge of the desk.
Both pieces are coated particle board. The particle board under the side table legs is exposed.
If I bump the side table, it could easily slide off the desk. This would be bad because the side table will have a computer monitor on it.
Given that I am limited to these pieces of furniture, how best to prevent sliding? I can’t use anything that would damage the desk, so no screws or other permanent fixtures.
Fleeting thoughts are double sided tape or Velcro. Other thoughts?
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### Author:  [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/2 "2014-04-14T20:38:48Z")
I like the Velcro idea.
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### Author:  [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/3 "2014-04-14T21:22:42Z")
Depending on how the velcro is attached you may have to deal with gummy residue later. Perhaps a rubber foot like the B. option from [Lee Valley](http://www.leevalley.com/en/Hardware/page.aspx?p=62154&cat=3,40993,41285&ap=1)
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/4 "2014-04-14T22:20:05Z")
I like the feet idea because it will allow me to move the table across the desk instead of just being stuck to the Velcro,
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### Author:  [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/5 "2014-04-14T22:20:15Z")
another solution depending on how you are using the desktop is to enlarge the desktop. a sheet of something two inches bigger than the desktop with rubber cups under the table legs would work.
the sheet could have a hard smooth surface (like counter top material) if you need a writing surface. or you could use smaller desk protector.
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2014, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/6 "2014-04-15T21:44:13Z")
I went with the rubber feet from Target. It works great. Thanks.
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### Author:  [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2014, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/7 "2014-04-15T22:30:55Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#):
>
> I went with the rubber feet from Target. It works great. Thanks.
What if someone bumps it pretty hard?
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/8 "2014-04-24T02:55:58Z")
That’s a very low risk and it’s also stable enough with the rubber feet that it would take a very hard bump.
I’ve decided that it’s also a temporary setup and will get something more permanent.
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### Author:  [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2014, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/9 "2014-04-24T03:03:12Z")
There is some rubberized no-slip stuff that they sell in the same place you would buy contact paper. I have used it for similar applications. I think its intended purpose is as a shelf liner.
[This stuff.](http://www.amazon.com/Grip-Shelf-Drawer-Liner-Black/dp/B000KFSOFI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1398308550&sr=8-4&keywords=no+skid+shelf+liner)
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### Author:  [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2014, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/10 "2014-04-24T10:02:22Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#):
>
> I am putting a small side table on top of a narrow desk with beveled edges. The desk is just barely wide enough to hold the side table. \
> If I bump the side table, it could easily slide off the desk. This would be bad because the side table will have a computer monitor on it.
Why?
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### Author:  [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/11 "2014-04-24T14:58:25Z")
Extend the faces of the table legs downward so that they “hold” the desktop. Using a four pieces of wood 6" long X 1" wide and 1/2" thick, attach (nails, screws, zip-ties) to the outside faces of the legs so that 1-2" extends downward past the bottom of the legs. This way, if the table wants to slide to the back, the extensions on the front will prohibit it from doing so; and vice versa.
That, used in partnership with the rubber feet, should make it nearly upset-proof.
(that is, if I understand the situation correctly.)
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/12 "2014-05-01T18:09:01Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#):
>
> Why?
I am trying a makeshift standing desk with a cheap available end table just to see if the standing desk concept is something I would want to make more permanent before sinking costs into something else.
So far, the answer is yes. My posture and neck feel much better when I have the option to work standing up for a good chunk of the day.
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### Author:  [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/13 "2014-05-01T18:11:43Z")
I see. Well, good luck.
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-keep-a-table-from-sliding-off-a-desk/686111/14 "2014-05-01T18:58:57Z")
If the rubber feet end up not working, you might be able to attach a rectangle of wood to the bottom of the feet, the same size as the table, basically making a box with open sides. However, the feet does sound like a much simpler solution.