Butcher Block Work Bench Top Care?

[600SL]

18' work bench. Had it 3 days and its already covered with ****.

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/work-benches/extra-long/table/216-x-36-workmaster-bench-1

I just received this work bench from Global Industrial. Its made up of 3, 6'butcher block tops. I was expecting it to have some kind of coating on the surface like the Lista Mobile benches I have seen but it appears to be pure wood although the literature that came with it refers to it as "Oiled".

I'm wondering if I should put polyurethane coating or something on it.

Any recommendations.

 

[rburke65]

Very nice. So that's 3 six foot bench tops? D you recall the price of. 6' top? Thanks.

 

[300Deluxe]

Keeping it lightly oiled wouldn't hurt, nor would polyurethane. If your bench will see much tear-down use, it's going to get stained regardless of surface finish. Just remember to pre-drill any holes if you intend on mounting a vice, grinder, etc.

I'm a sales manager for a steel storage product manufacturer who sells benches almost exactly like the Global units. We ship thousands of benches with assorted hardwood tops annually. A lot of folks don't bother treating the tops, and I have not personally heard of any failures. However, the source of the top could be a factor.

 

[600SL]

Very nice. So that's 3 six foot bench tops? D you recall the price of. 6' top? Thanks.

They are about $360 per top. By purchasing the hole kit you get all 4 legs for about $50 more. They also sell 8 ft tops but they are 1.75" instead of 2.25" and cost less.

 

[nine4gmc]

Boiled linseed oil for sure. It's non-toxic in raw form, we use it on our butcher block counter tops in the kitchen and works great on the ebony stained lathe bench out in the shop as well. The kids left a piece of colored paper on the counter and set a glass of cola on it. The sweat made the colored paper bleed red into the wood. I had just treated the counters a week or two before the accident and with a Magic Eraser Sponge it came right out. I had to retreat the area with linseed oil after blotting up the stain but it came right out.

 

[600SL]

Keeping it lightly oiled wouldn't hurt, nor would polyurethane. If your bench will see much tear-down use, it's going to get stained regardless of surface finish. Just remember to pre-drill any holes if you intend on mounting a vice, grinder, etc.

I'm a sales manager for a steel storage product manufacturer who sells benches almost exactly like the Global units. We ship thousands of benches with assorted hardwood tops annually. A lot of folks don't bother treating the tops, and I have not personally heard of any failures. However, the source of the top could be a factor.

Thanks

The literature says it has a penetrating mineral oil. I decided to go with the butcher block because I wasn't impressed with the Shop Top. See Shop Top on the left in the attached picture. I may replace that next.

 

[Doctor Bill]

I use boiled linseed oil on my wooden workbench. Swedish manufacturer recommended it.