Looking for Work bench top ideas

[GN4WHLN]

3/4 "utility grade" flooring from Lumber liquidators. I used it on this 10-foot bench and another 6-foot bench. The backstop and edging are dimensional pieces from HD. it's stained and coated with a marine-grade varnish. I use these two benches for clean work. Just out of the picture to the left of the vice, and underneath the 10-foot bench, I have another bench on rollers with a metal top which I use for welding and dirty work.

 

[NakeDiesel]

I used 2 layers of 3/4" plywood on mine and have abused the hell out of it the last 10 years. I've built many transmissions on it, and lots of other abusive projects on it.

 

[whitesco]

In on this one too, for my reloading bench. Probably going with 3/4 ply doubled up but that stuff has gotten expensive!

 

[magnusk750]

Glued together 28 x 120 mm tongue and groove massive fir or pine floor lumber. A layer or two of linseed oil on on top. I think also IKEA butcher block would be great. I like massive wood, will not peel and if it gets too dirty you can sand the surface down and oil it again.

 

[rharman]

Years ago, my wife treated me to cabinets for the entire garage. Part of that setup was 10' of workbench with a 2' return at one end. She talked me into agreeing to spend more for the butcherblock top. I've never regretted it. She's always right!

 

[inphx]

@NakeDiesel - I like your setup. @rocksnstumps above mentioned office furniture... a gallon of tractor paint and recycling the desktops and you get...

 

[PhantomEB]

Definitely 3/4“ plywood. Think my next two will be maple.

 

[Jgaz]

I used 4 layers of 3/4 Baltic birch for my woodworking bench. Wanted the thickness to help when using a hold down as well as the added weight to kerp the bench from moving while hand planning wooden pieces.

 

[the shifty jesus]

Spent a week cutting, finishing and fitting butcher block, then went and bought a rubber mat to cover all 12 feet of it because it was too pretty to mess up. Still spilled some isopropyl on a corner and mucked up the finish.

If I ever do it again, I’ll probably go epoxy resin laboratory top or stainless over blocking.

 

[quinnor]

Between the heavy equipment and tile location next door to where I work - I have access to a lot of heavy duty pallets built out of 2x4s. I did a pallet board ceiling in the garage/shop so I had a lot of the spars left over and decided to use some of the best ones for my workbench surface. Quote painted on and then sealed/finished with linseed oil.

 

[fishwatcher]

I have a Gorilla Rack workbench that came with 3/8” particle board work top and bottom shelf. I replaced the work top with a second hand 1 1/4” “butcher block” top. It’s the kind you get from Home Depot. I cut it to fit and used the left over for a Baldor grinder stand built with black steel pipe legs.
I also recycled some pine Ikea bed frame slats to make a cabinet top and shelves. I finished them with danish oil and screwed them together with metal brackets.

 

[alex2929]

I went with 2 layers of 3/4" plywood topped with Masonite for the easy refresh.

My ReStore ***** so no solid core doors or good counter takeoffs.

How did you attach the Masonite? I am going with this idea.

 

[Numerator2142]

How did you attach the Masonite? I am going with this idea.

A couple of short, countersunk screws through the top in to hold it in place. I put a 1x border around the worktop flush with the Masonite to protect the edges.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

We throw out tons of solid core doors at work. If I needed more benches, I'd use those.

Mine are all 3/4" plywood with 1/4" hardboard as a replaceable work surface on top of that.

 

[PhantomEB]

1/2” top welding table, main built in is painted plywood but I want to cover that with somethin thinkin Masonite and then when I get my last 27” toolbox I will get my 42” with side box back to cover with plywood. That one I will do a 2” backsplash and side guards that will be removable if needed.