Going to rebuild my bench, make it longer. Always had OSB tops which I like, sealed it last time I replaced the top with several coats of polycrylic, helped a lot to keep oil and such off but paint spills, brake cleaner, etc are wearing on it some. HDPE would solve that, don't care if it scratches easy, just the spills and stains and the solvents are the issue. Any cons to switching to the polyethylene sheet for a bench top? Don't want steel or anything.. too cold in the winter. Just figured i would ask here before I pull the trigger
HDPE or OSB bench top?
- Thread starter Sh40674
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Musicinabottle
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I'd go HDPE and not look back. Might also consider UHMW or formica as well.
Lelandwelds
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The two layer static mats are pretty cool even if you don't work with electronics. It's about $100 for 10 or 15 foot and comes in blue or gray. Tough and rubbery.
Bryanthegreat
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HDPE would be an excellent choice
Bryanthegreat
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Up to you but I would put the textured side up.
Capt Chrysler
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UHMW
It will out last most of us.
Capt. Chrysler
It will out last most of us.
Capt. Chrysler
Musicinabottle
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............didn't want steel or anything too cold in the Winter................
I've never dealt with a HDPE top, so I can't really comment on it. However, I would prefer plywood over the OSB for smoothness alone.
jmarkwolf
Well-known member
Put in a slightly raised perimeter around whatever you choose, and then drop in 1/8" masonite. When it gets ugly pull it out and drop in a fresh sheet.
Voila, new bench top.
Voila, new bench top.
rustyjames
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I thought about HDPE as well but decided against it because it super slippery, and pretty expensive. I'm going with plywood painted with porch/deck paint and a heavy rubber mat over it.
Bretny
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Your bench top should match your work your doing.
I dont see OSB being good for any work.
I dont see OSB being good for any work.
Jhoff310
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Just buy a slab of countertop at lowes or depot and be done with it.
Falcon67
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This - but in 7 years of use including working on cylinder heads and such, my 1/8 hard board still looks just fine. Painted with porch and garage floor paint. The whole top is 7/16 OSB + 3/4 ply+ 1/8 hard board
tonyciambrone
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As stated above HDPE is very slippery. I'd also want it in black because it shows stains and fluids very easily in the white form.
My preferred is something like the Menard's Birch Butcherblock top with some oil or epoxy.
My preferred is something like the Menard's Birch Butcherblock top with some oil or epoxy.
When I built my bench, the top was 3/4" plywood. I then added a sheet of MDF on top of that, screwed down. Once it gets beat up, gouged, stained, etc several years down the road, pull that sheet off, flip it over, screw it down and start again. Once that side is worn out, trash it and replace.
I know I don't want mdf. Hate the stuff.. just personal opinion. My walls are finished in OSB, and never had an issue with the OSB top after a clear coat except like I said, stuff like paint spills gets in the grooves of the chips (I put smooth side up) and brake cleaner can wear on the poly coat. How slippery is the HDPE if I use the textured side? I'm not worried about parts or anything sliding around.. basically my only concern with it being too slick is stuff like my bolt boxes and such working their way around when the music is on loud. **** stated above I can always get a rubber mat. I think the ease of cleaning it would outweigh all that. It would be nice if I spill some oil to just spray some brake cleaner and wipe it away lol.
As far as the counter top, not wide enough. Looking for 30" wide.
Where do you guys get your rubber mats for your benches? And way to just buy a sheet of it?
As far as the counter top, not wide enough. Looking for 30" wide.
Where do you guys get your rubber mats for your benches? And way to just buy a sheet of it?
cdestuck
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If you’re open to other suggestions, I bought a solid core oak door slab. Never regretted it. Adds nice weight also
Lelandwelds
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Lelandwelds
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UHMW is what plastic cutting boards are made of.
Tractor Supply ,etc has rubber sheet. It is called horse "stall mat". Adhesive rubber floor tiles would be an option. It's available in smooth, coin, and diamond plate. I saw tables on YouTube topped with "luxury vinyl plank".
well i think i'm going to try the HDPE on my bench. i'm not overly hard on them.. pounding some car parts once in a while but no real iron work or anything to that effect. checked out some of those stall mats, looks like a good deal. if i regret it i wasted 100 bucks, but i'm mostly going for the durability and the ability to just wipe messes up. like i said, the biggest downfall with mine just has been trans fluid, oil, brake cleaner, paint etc...
James-W
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I use a sheet of this stuff on my workbench top, but I nail it down in the corners with some really small short nails. If it gets messed, I pry it up and replace it.
Lelandwelds
Well-known member
PVC, ABS, and Filon are all cheap and tough. DIY epoxy-fiberglass-in-place would be fairly easy but messy.
The tempered hard board really works well. MDO plywood was my favorite. Formica doesn't get much respect but the cheap stuff with the brown edge is tough. (Solid color is more delicate.) Plain SYP is cheap and tough.
The tempered hard board really works well. MDO plywood was my favorite. Formica doesn't get much respect but the cheap stuff with the brown edge is tough. (Solid color is more delicate.) Plain SYP is cheap and tough.
Oberst Hajj
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This is a really old thread I know, but I was wondering if you ever made your bench with the HDPE top and how you liked it? How did it hold up to light/med use?
rawen2
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I used melamine MDF. Attached it from the bottom with screws to have an uninterrupted smooth working surface.
Oops. Didn't realize this was an old thread.
Oops. Didn't realize this was an old thread.
Veranda 3/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Melamine White Particleboard Panel 461877 - The Home Depot
Melamine White Panel is ideal for making cabinet carcass, desk tops, closets, store fixtures and furniture. Easy to maintain and clean.
www.homedepot.com
Last edited:
Lorydr
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I was able to score a solid door from a hospital room, that got demolished. It is working so well.
WisJim
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When our local university was replacing old solid core dormitory doors, I got a few for $2 each and the carpenter in the shop sliced off the edges for me, removing the hinge cutouts. Nice slabs 2 1/4" thick and 35 by 84 inches. Pur workbenches all around the farm with them. I wish I still had a couple.
acer66
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Was that not just in another thread?I used melamine MDF. Attached it from the bottom with screws to have an uninterrupted smooth working surface.
Oops. Didn't realize this was an old thread.
Veranda 3/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Melamine White Particleboard Panel 461877 - The Home Depot
Melamine White Panel is ideal for making cabinet carcass, desk tops, closets, store fixtures and furniture. Easy to maintain and clean.www.homedepot.com
That is particle board not mdf.
rawen2
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You're right. They call it MDF in the title but particle board in the description. Regardless, I like it a lot for my workbench top.
Firebrick43
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We used HDPE or UHMW bench toppers at the plant I worked at for years. We never replaced them due to wear just because of the warping.
Over time the swell and warp and I wouldn’t suggest it due to the high cost.
A 1/4” layer of tempered hard board waxed is a cheap sacrificial surface that takes a lot of abuse and is much cheaper to replace.
Over time the swell and warp and I wouldn’t suggest it due to the high cost.
A 1/4” layer of tempered hard board waxed is a cheap sacrificial surface that takes a lot of abuse and is much cheaper to replace.
acer66
Well-known member
Never thought to use it as a counter top.
What kind of work do you do on yours?
I ended up running 1x boards then topped with 1/2 finished/sanded plywood. Held up insanely well so far.
Oberst Hajj
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I used the same thing for my 4x8 general workbench and my miter saw station. I used a 3/4 sheet of plywood under it and it has held up very well for the last 5 years or so. Super easy to clean and the white surface really helps to brighten up the shop. The surfaces are still in really good condition, but the workbench top has started to sag a little bit. I should have build more framing support under the sheet good tops.
Thanks for the reply.
PCMusicGuy
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I would go HDPE if you are trying to keep costs reasonable. I went with a phenolic resin top and it has been great for my uses so far.
rawen2
Well-known member
I just do homeowner stuff. Change oil in generator. Fix broken things. No engine rebuilds going on or other heavy duty work. For my use it's held up great. Wish it had the melamine on the edge though. Spilled some oil and as it ran off the edge it soaked into the particle board. I could buy the melamine separately and glue it to the edge but too lazy to do that.
andyvh1959
Well-known member
Another vote here for Restore. Might take a bit of work to fit it, but Restore has lots of old countertops that would work for a bench top. Or get some old solid doors.