HDPE Sheets

[Dixie_Flatline]

About to build another bench, and had been thinking about trying to find a big sheet of HDPE. Is it possible to get it in large sheets, or just cutting board sizes? Seems like it would be better than wood alone, or thin gauge sheet metal which was the first thing that came to mind.

 

[motorcycle79]

I bought a 4x8 sheet of some type of plastic for cutting up deer That would work good. they had many types and thickness to choose from. here is where I bought from. There was a store local to me. https://www.seelyeplastics.com/

I paid about 60$ for the sheet about 10 years ago FYI.

 

[LB-1911]

Is it possible to get it in large sheets, or just cutting board sizes?

Another source

https://www.interstateplastics.com/Starboard-St-Charcoal-Gray-Scratch-Resistant-Ultra-stiff-Building-Sheet-HDPREMS.php?vid=&priceit.x=12&priceit.y=6

 

[PCustoms]

About to build another bench, and had been thinking about trying to find a big sheet of HDPE. Is it possible to get it in large sheets, or just cutting board sizes? Seems like it would be better than wood alone, or thin gauge sheet metal which was the first thing that came to mind.

1/2" x 48" x 96" HDPE Sheet | U.S. Plastic Corp.

These sheets can be heat formed, shaped and welded to fabricate ducts, hoods, and much more. They have excellent corrosion resistance to ...

www.usplastic.com

Other size/thickness options too.

You can also look at curbell plastics, can't remember what they have on the web.

Personally a sheet of OSB/plywood topped with 1/8" hardboard is a great bench for general work. When it gets banged up swap in another hardboard for $20.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I’ve bought HDPE from Interstate Plastics, no complaints. Be aware, HDPE comes in different surface finishes; smooth, stipple, etc… Food grade is smooth. Slight texture would probably work better for general work bench stuff.

 

[loganb]

McMaster Carr has it as well in larger sheets

 

[rocksnstumps]

They sell all sorts of plastic in bigger sheets. Just be aware it's pricey compared to plywood and unless you get the thicker sizes over 1/4" it flexes a fair amount too without backing. Makes a nice surface to work on though especially in a cold unheated shop. Dang I hate when even after the wood stove gets air temp up to 60F every metal tool and work surface feels super cold for a long time during the winter until much later in the day.

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

Going to have a plywood top, wanted to cover that and hopefully extend the lifespan of the bench. Now that I see it comes in big sheets its got the gears turning!

 

[PCustoms]

Going to have a plywood top, wanted to cover that and hopefully extend the lifespan of the bench. Now that I see it comes in big sheets its got the gears turning!

Your money, but at over $300 a sheet plus freight id certainly be thinking something different

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

Your money, but at over $300 a sheet plus freight id certainly be thinking something different

Buy Plastic has 24x48 sheet for only $48, wouldn't cover the whole bench but it'd be good for a "dirty" area.

 

[RegeSullivan]

The Menards near me stocks HDPE 4x8 sheets in 1/8 - $76.99, 1/4 - $199.99 and 1/2 $259.99 in black or white.

 

[PCustoms]

Buy Plastic has 24x48 sheet for only $48, wouldn't cover the whole bench but it'd be good for a "dirty" area.

What thickness?

Again, your money, but having used lots of HDPE and other plastics over the years I wouldn't recommend it for a bench top.

 

[carlaisle]

Consider how you are going to hold it in place. You definitely won't use any kind of adhesive to secure it.

 

[jack stand]

A 1/8" tempered Masonite surface as previously mentioned is easily held in place with a few spots of contact cement. It's a nice inexpensive hard surface that is easy to replace at an inconsequential cost.

 

[mike93lx]

Buy Plastic has 24x48 sheet for only $48, wouldn't cover the whole bench but it'd be good for a "dirty" area.

What are you hoping to solve for that hard board can't do? Look at commercial shops... No one js doing plastic. If it's a really dirty area, it will be stainless

Laminate is a great workbench top as well.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I use 1/8 Masonite to cover my benches. When they get to oil stained toss out and replace. If you're looking for a waterproof material try a sheet of gauge sized galvanized steel or keep an eye on FB market for a stainless steel bench, they come up in our area.

 

[Kaizen]

I use hdpe in shop made jigs that slide and it works well. I'd never use it for a bench top. Its used for cutting boards because it cuts easily and does not dull the knife edge as much. I can see it will get micro scratches that will have to be sanded out to clean.
good luck.

 

[Jayman17]

I made a work bench top from a free solid core door I found on CL and double back taped 1/8" masonite to that. Easily replaced when it becomes damaged or worn out.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The Menards near me stocks HDPE 4x8 sheets in 1/8 - $76.99, 1/4 - $199.99 and 1/2 $259.99 in black or white.

I was going to mention Menards as well. I believe they also have some smaller sizes in stock, sheet size I mean.

 

[Beerhippie]

I buy HDPE sheet from Tap Plastics. Not sure if they have the best prices, but I've been sourcing plastics and plastic-related products from them since the '70s.

If looks don't bother you too much, check out recycled HDPE. It's basically lots of tiny chips of different-colored HDPE fused together and MUCH cheaper than the virgin stuff. I made skid plates for a friend's rally Yaris from it, and ended up using the off-cuts for shop stuff for a few years.

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

What about 22 gauge metal? I have an HVAC metal shop locally that would be able to throw it in to a brake for a backsplash and lip for the edge. It would be laid atop plywood if that will help the longevity.

 

[PCustoms]

What about 22 gauge metal? I have an HVAC metal shop locally that would be able to throw it in to a brake for a backsplash and lip for the edge. It would be laid atop plywood if that will help the longevity.

What kind of work are you doing?

22 gage is thin...

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

One bench is my catch-all bench. Think engine oil, grease, brake cleaner, kerosene, dropped heavy parts, bashing with a hammer. The other I am more concerned with cleanliness, however, it needs to be very rigid and still easily wiped down. I am probably going to visit the re-store and see if I can find a counter top.

 

[PCustoms]

No offense, but it seems you're all over the place here...

Get a 1/4 steel sheet and be done with it.

 

[mike93lx]

I wouldn't do a 22 gauge sheet on any workbench. 16 is probably as thin as I would go.

Finding a used stainless table/prep surface may be the easiest and most cost effective

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

No worries! I just have two benches and two different things in mind for each of them. Thought that since cutting boards/HDPE is pretty tough and doesn't dent like thin gauge metal it would suit my purposes better. The wood I used on it previously just seemed to soak up the oil and its cracked in some places. Since I am replacing it I thought it would be nice to do something nicer than just another sheet of plywood.

 

[Beerhippie]

22 ga. will dent if you drop a pencil on it. HDPE is also pretty easy to damage--especially with heat or point-impact.

1/4 steel plate... you gotta work at it to damage that.

My bench has a 1", hard-face plywood top, with 16 ga, stainless (salvaged) in the light-work-but-need-to-be-easily-cleaned areas and 3/8 steel plate (also salvage) where I do the heavy work.

Hint: Welding spatter doesn't stick to the 3/8" hot-rolled plate, but sticks like glue to the 16 ga. SS.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Another vote for Masonite / tempered hardboard. It really is pretty durable and stands up well to oils and grease (even better if you slap on a coat or two of varnish.) HDPE is going to be expensive and I don't know how well it resists heat or things like brake cleaner.

 

[Beerhippie]

HDPE does not withstand heat at all. Anything much above boiling oil will melt it.

How many HDPE cutting boards have you seen that have been sat on a hot range burner?

 

[PCustoms]

How many HDPE cutting boards have you seen that have been sat on a hot range burner?

2, while I was making breakfast