"Assembly table" with removable waste/spoil top?

[BellyUpFish]

Hey guys-

Thinking about building an 8x4 general purpose table to sit across from my main workbench and also act as an outfeed table for my table saw.

I'd like to throw a plywood top on it and then put an MDF spoilboard top on the plywood.

Short of just throwing the screws to it from underneath, anyone have a clever way to attach a spoilboard to the table top without the fastners showing?

 

[NUTTSGT]

What about something like a french cleat/dovetail/bevel at the edges ? The spoil sheet would have an opposing bevel and slide in place with bevel trim on three sides. The fourth would be screwed on/off and be removeable to replace sheet when needed.

 

[BellyUpFish]

What about something like a french cleat/dovetail/bevel at the edges ? The spoil sheet would have an opposing bevel and slide in place with bevel trim on three sides. The fourth would be screwed on/off and be removeable to replace sheet when needed.

That's not a bad idea actually, the front of the sheet might take a beating though.

 

[Norcal]

Have a table with a 1 1/8" plywood top, screwed to the square tubing frame of the table, got some free 4X12, 1/2" MDF that was used to protect some aluminum while being shipped, used it to trim the edges & top, & used some free stain & then used a waterborne polyurethane to finish it, the sacrificial top was stapled to the ply. It's held up for years.

 

[bullnerd]

I use the thin hardboard and double sided tape.

 

[machine_punk]

I just don't worry about it and countersink the screws holding on the spoilboard.

KDub

 

[BellyUpFish]

I just don't worry about it and countersink the screws holding on the spoilboard.

KDub

That's probably the route I'll be taking..

 

[ez-duzit]

I use tempered Masonite held in place with a few wire brads, set below flush.

 

[bullnerd]

I use tempered Masonite held in place with a few wire brads, set below flush.

Yeah, Masonite, that's what I meant.

 

[NUTTSGT]

That's not a bad idea actually, the front of the sheet might take a beating though.

The front of the sheet will be protected like the other three. ...three sides permanent and the fourth one is detachable/removable for replacement of the top sheet.

 

[rsanter]

Most of the ones I have seen they just put a trim around the spoil board so it fits over the workbench like a cap.
We used to do this with the granite inspection plates to protect them from people,putting stuff on them

Bob

 

[Crusarius]

Yup. Trim around the entire top and just set it on the table. Now your edges are all protected and it won't move unless lifted.

 

[ez-duzit]

Trim will tend to mar anything you drag across it. Don't overthink or over-design it. Just plain Masonite is very durable and doesn't mar finished goods.

 

[Brian_WK]

Do a round radius on the top edges to keep stuff from catching them and or marring if something is drug across them.

Brian

 

[rayra]

few dabs of 100% will work as an adhesive and you can still remove the MDF when it's time to replace it. And the silicone too if you need to.