Butcher Block/Bench Top where to source??

[UroWerks]

Hey guys so I purchased a 8ft work bench at Sears for my father for his garage to replace the existing work bench that we've been using.I am looking to have a top made or just cut to size to fit against the walls.The last work bench had gaps and tools and everything else fell off on the side or behind the work bench.So I want the new top to fit flush to the 3 walls where the bench will sit.

Ideally I would like a butcher block but I dont have big money to spend.A butcher block for this bench would run about 400-500 bucks.Anyone have any other suggestions or pictures of where I can get something like this done or what material can be used?? The Dimensions of the top are 103 and 3/4 inches long by 26 inches wide and thickness well what do you guys suggest and what can I use???

For those that are wondering this is the bench frame:
Bench Frame

 

[UroWerks]

anyone??

 

[nine4gmc]

Bamboo Top $229
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-8'-bamboo-work-surface/p-00914964000P

Butcher Block $159
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-8'-b...p-00914965000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I think some people have used Ikea countertops as well.

 

[DIC]

Ikea

 

[UroWerks]

Nine I am aware of the tops for the bench however the top they provide is about 2 inches narrower and about 7inches short of what I need.I will take a look at Ikea maybe come up with something.Thanks guys!!

 

[Neuswede]

Ikea has 2 lengths: 73" for $129 or 96" for $169. They are 25 inches deep. You could get 2 of the 73" to make up your length. Cut a joint (tongue & groove, lap or finger) and/or add a plate beneath for strength and you should be good to go. For the depth, you could easily make up the 2 inches on the back edge, or trim out the front edge.

Here's a link to Ikea's counter top page: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90057855/#/20057854

 

[EdT]

If this is a work bench and not a piece of furniture, you might take a look at using a piece of gluelam or lvl structural engineered lumber for the top. They are heavy, stiff, flat durable and fairly cheap. Put a removable masonite top on it and you're good to go. You can find them at a big lumber yard or maybe special order thru HD or Lowe's

 

[Iroc-Z]

I have an IKEA one. Wood is really hard and is holding up great.

 

[fivespdcat]

Repurposed bowling alley. Find it on CL...

 

[E.rodz]

Repurposed bowling alley. Find it on CL...

I second the bowling lane take out are awesome wood sometimes with a good amount of history as well.

 

[Keep]

Repurposed bowling alley. Find it on CL...

Yup this would be my route as well. Make sure you have a good truck cause its sure fricken heavy.

 

[Neuswede]

I've seen bowling lanes in one of the local Habitat Re-Store's. It went very quickly.

Not sure where the OP is located, but you can also source specialty plywood in 5'x10' sheets. I use a plywood house (Chesapeake Plywood) in Baltimore. Last project was some Russian Birch phenolic solid core. Should be a specialty plywood vendor somewhere near you.

For a bench top, it would likely last a lifetime. Some of the strongest plywood I've ever used.
One sheet of 18mm doubled up would do a nice job.

 

[UroWerks]

I found some re-purposed bowling alley wood available for sale however about 300 dollars is a little much.But I will continue looking.I might just bite the bullet and pick up some ikea tops or 2 or just get the stock top and deal with the gaps.The reason why I need a specific size is due to the fact I no longer want tools rolling off the workbench and falling behind the bench and so on.

 

[katit]

Ikea had sale - I grabbed 2 tops at $59 each. Bowling alley is not cool as it seems - it requires a lot of labor in order to use on a bench. From what I know wood joined with metal staples and cutting/working with it is a big PITA.

 

[UroWerks]

When did Ikea have a sale??Damn I most of missed it.What kind of tops did you grab??dimensions??

CounterTop Super Cheap

I found this top its roughly what I need as far as dimensions go however the color isnt ideal.Looks like white formaika.I will and see on monday if they have it in black or any other color if not.Has anyone ever painted a formaika top??or what my choices are to changing the color or what works best??

 

[Motown 454]

Sears has the butcherblock on sale $143 today online.

 

[LSU]

Repurposed bowling alley. Find it on CL...

+1.

Also look at local Restore.

Also go by your local bowling alley and ask.

 

[Jack Olsen]

While you're at the restore, look into solid-core doors.

Doubled up 3/4" plywood will work pretty well, too. You can cover it with 1/4" hardboard/masonite, if you want a smoother surface.

That said, I've got Ikea butcher block on two of my benches -- one Birch and one Oak. Very nice stuff.

 

[katit]

Here is my workbench welded and I used 2 $59 tops from IKEA

 

[UroWerks]

Thanks Motown however I need to purchase the top I mentioned in my post due to the dimensione and depth of space that it has to fix.So ideally the kiea top is the one i need.I just need to figure out the best way to paint or stain or dye it.if thats even possible and what will hold up best.I am thinking about maybe using some textured paint or something.Can anyone chime in what I could use you paint it??and have it hold up.

Sears has the butcherblock on sale $143 today online.

 

[katit]

I put 6 layers of clear coat polyurethane

 

[UroWerks]

So im guessing paint it first and then 6 coats of clear polyurethane clear will do the job??

 

[katit]

If you see my picture on previous page - I didn't need any paint. If you want to paint - you can just put multiple layers of paint I guess

 

[UroWerks]

Yeah I am thinking about using some paint to paint it black or charcoal.Also thinking about the dimensions of the top if there gonna be enough width wise im good i just wish it was a little bit longer say 100-102 inches in length.

 

[shephd]

One of the cool things on GJ is seeing people do things creatively. Maybe you plan will turn out that way, but it is much easier for me to see the day when someone is stripping paint from the top and asking themselves "what were they thinking?"

If you want a painted bench top, just use plywood doubled up? It would be cheaper. I've worked as a butcher and a cabinetmaker, and painting butcher block just doesn't seem right Typically people use a clear finish on butcher block, and one that can be more easily repaired.

Do you want to paint it to protect it? It sounds like butcher block might not be the right choice for your intended use.

If you are committed to the bb idea, and you only want it charcoal or black, get a closed grain wood bb and use an aniline dye. You'll probably need to use a sealer to help keep the color even. Then use an oil finish like Watco, or shellac. Both can be applied in multiple coats and build up, but better yet when you scar it, you can sand it back down and finish it again.

Now go do what you want good luck!

 

[csp]

Why in the world would you paint butcherblock? Just use plywood if you want a painted surface.

 

[bjaspud]

I went with a $80 Home Depot countertop with built in back splash. The Fromica is a nice hard surface and it cleans well. If I'm going to pound on something I will put a board down to keep from chewing up the top.

Spud

 

[Wes Tex]

You may be missing out on a source for items like a butcher block top work bench. About twice a year our school district sells surplus items at an auction held at the district's warehouse/storage facility. Items sold cheap include school lockers, large tables and desks, and numerous kitchen things. The schools can no longer use wooden butcher block type tables or benches in the kitchens because of the possibility "things" can get lodged in the cracks and gaps (unhealthy). Items like this are sold cheap at these auctions.

 

[Kevin54]

Not knowing where the OP is at because a lot of people won't put their State in their profile, makes it a little harder to answer a question, but I posted up a link yesterday to bowling alley lanes for sale in Illinois I believe.

 

[camarotoolman]

Wood faced solid core doors make great work bench tops, I scored a new 1 for free about 20 years ago and still use it all the time. If you have a jointer and clamps, or can borrow them, you could glue up some 2x lumber, that would work good too. As above, 3/4 plywood double layers works, I did that, then overed it with formica. Stagger the pieces so they over lap.

 

[RHD 4 LIFE]

My suggestion would be 18 9' foot 2x4's on their edge glued and clamped. You could mark and drill all the studs in the same place and run threaded rod through them and glue and tighten. Once dry sand down the top or have it planned flat!
Now you have a nice solid top for around $45 or so!

John

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

My suggestion would be 18 9' foot 2x4's on their edge glued and clamped. You could mark and drill all the studs in the same place and run threaded rod through them and glue and tighten. Once dry sand down the top or have it planned flat!
Now you have a nice solid top for around $45 or so!

John

+1 for that. I was just going to suggest that.

 

[M Fan]

Not as good of a deal as resourced bowling lane, but a good quality top that is made in the USA and available in many sizes.

Grizzly Tool

 

[UroWerks]

Well currently as stated on the bottom of the 1st page I am looking at a cheap laminate top from ikea that looks like it might fit my needs.I only want to paint it charcoal or black due to the fact the laminate is white and i'd like to have it match some of the other cabinets in my fathers garage which are red and black craftsman units.I would never spend $400 on a true butcher block and paint over it.Just looking for a cheap solution and having it match.thats all.

 

[Doozer75]

http://www.johnboos.com/content/1/50
http://www.125west.com/c-41-countertops-sinks.aspx

Buy direct from John Boos.
Price is not too bad.

--Doozer

 

[Mr.N]

Here is my workbench welded and I used 2 $59 tops from IKEA

What time of year do they go on sale?