Anyone own a Bamboo Gladiator Workbench?

[GOSTAZ]

Hi,
Been enjoying the forum for some time now. I have a question about those Bamboo-topped Gladiator Workbenches. I can build a workbench, or I can use some Sears Points to get a Bamboo Bench fairly cheap. My concern? Can I mount a vise and a grinder on this type of bench? Has anyone done it?
I have some Gladiator cabinets, and I really like them, the quality and durability seem fine for my motorcycle garage. So, if I can, I would buy a Gladiator Bench, install it, and be pretty much "done" with my garage build for now. If they are not the right thing for what I want to do? I would rather figure that out now, as opposed to buying something that is not designed for my needs.

Lots of great garages out here. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,
G

 

[mzy4v1]

I have the maple top on my Gladiator bench and so does my neighbor, he has a vice bolted to his maple top. I don't know about the durability of the bamboo but I would expect it to be very good.

 

[sarman47]

+1 on the maple top. I also have a vice on the one end. So far so good.

 

[GOSTAZ]

Thanks for the feedback! I am still considering options. It would finish this phase, and with Spring here, I would like to finish my "setup" phase, and start getting the bike and the lawnmower ready for "riding season"!

 

[Stuey]

I posted a quick review of the height adjustable model via ToolGuyd:

http://toolguyd.com/gladiator-adjustable-height-workbench-review/

If I were mounting something like a vise to this bench, I would only use through-hole bolts, not lag screws.

Maple is easier on cutting tools, so if you plan to mount a lot of things to the bench, that might be a better way to go. It's a little cheaper, too.

 

[Stuey]

I have many bamboo items, trivets, spacers,cutting boards. They all fail. All delaminate.
Bamboo is grass and deteriorates like grass. A straw hat, a broom, a bench. Only the resin keeps it together. It's a hippy trick. I've seen a couple of bamboo floors go completely to hell also.

Depends on quality. I have a bamboo cutting board for several years now, as well as a utensil tray. Both are in great condition.

Most wood worktops, excluding particle board and MDF are made from laminated boards.

With the Gladiator top, they use a LOT of laminated boards throughout the middle, with top and bottom surfaces cross-oriented. It seems plenty solid to me, but I haven't tested its 5 or 10-year longevity yet.