Polished Concrete for a workbench top?

[RedSS454]

So looking to see if this is a dumb idea, or would work. I’ve been looking at pics and videos of people doing polished concrete tables, and am looking to do one eventually. I have to build a small work bench for very light weight work (not automotive and doesn’t have to hold much weight/not even in the garage) I figured I’d could use this as a test to see how it would come out, before undertaking a more aesthetic project.

In the planning stages right now, but thinking of a work bench on 4x4s (due to weight of the concrete), roughly 2’Dx4’L, with a 2” concrete top. But it would give me practice for down the road, and if it doesn’t come out perfectly it’s okay. Was also thinking of sinking bolts in it for a small vice, but would be used more to hold while i work, than any real twisting force.

Am i barking up the wrong tree, or does this seem like a sound idea?

 

[itsajeepthing]

If you're only doing light work and chalking it up to a practice run for future, why not? I think it would look pretty badass. The only real downfall would be that any impact could chip it or crack it, but if you've got some mesh in the slab, it'll at least hold together.

Also, maybe instead of sinking bolts into the wet mix, you might consider installing sleeves. That way you can bolt through and if you decide to remove later, you don't have to cut the bolts off.

 

[bdbecker]

For a general, light duty work surface, I say go for it. What's the worst that could happen? It cracks and you have to replace it? Big deal... its not like you couldn't reuse the base for a different type of top. The main thing is you're looking for a chance to practice, I think this would be an interesting project.

 

[matt_i]

I wouldn't want to hammer or have impacts on it. Hot work would also be an issue as it could chip or flake the concrete. Would be wise to have 6-8 legs all with vertical adjustment so the understructure for the top doesn't flex.

 

[Jmatlock88]

Hey, I will be the contrarian in the room and tell you it’s a bad material selection for a work bench. No matter what kind of work you do, a hammer will probably eventually be used at the bench. Consider making yourself an outdoor kitchen or garden/potting bench or camp work table or some other great use of the concrete top. On your workbench, consider experimenting with a steel over wood top, a wood top with replaceable hard board surface, butcher block, carpeted top, fabricated steel top, or a metal top sloping toward a drain such as would be useful for breaking down transmissions and engines.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Hey, I will be the contrarian in the room and tell you it’s a bad material selection for a work bench. No matter what kind of work you do, a hammer will probably eventually be used at the bench. Consider making yourself an outdoor kitchen or garden/potting bench or camp work table or some other great use of the concrete top. On your workbench, consider experimenting with a steel over wood top, a wood top with replaceable hard board surface, butcher block, carpeted top, fabricated steel top, or a metal top sloping toward a drain such as would be useful for breaking down transmissions and engines.

2X this. I can't imagine concrete bench top.
Best thing I did was cover a nice heavy wood top with galvanized steel. I cut the corners out with an overlap, hammered down in place like a box top. Mounted vice to it.
My other benches are all heavy plywood, I sanded and polyurethane several coats. One is Formica.

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[A**holes Garage]

nope

 

[Robby321]

steel..........

 

[RedSS454]

Thanks for the opinions guys. The bench will be more for the practice than anything else. Plan on doing a bar top down the road with it, so figured it may be a good dry run. As far as the impacts go, it will likely never see any at all. It would be used just to do assembly on small pieces and cleaning. Any large impacts i have a real workbench in my garage.

Think i may still go through with it. For a little bit of $$ it will be worth it for the experience, as concrete is something I’ve only done once in the past. Either way, i will be sure to come back and post pictures, for better or worse.

 

[hammerhead611]

Take a look at this video...he built a work bench with a concrete top, but covered the concrete top with wood.

 

[ez-duzit]

Awful idea for a workbench. Just imagine doing the work on a concrete driveway. You can't properly clean it. And oil soaks right in. Whatever you are assembling will be all scratched up by the time it is together.

 

[ER70S-2]

Hell no. That is going to beat the **** out of anything you place on it.

 

[tonyciambrone]

This guy did it (and a lot of other cool stuff)
He did do a really **** job of finishing the concrete/ planning the slab.
You could ask him how it's holding up.

I wouldn't do it, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Not ideal for metal forming and welding. Easier, but not cheaper, to put 3/8" or 1/2" steel on top.

 

[rsanter]

I would build a patio table.
If it comes out good, use it or sell it.
If it comes out bad, sell it...cheap

 

[tarmy]

You got kids?

They will eventually beat something on it...****...broke slab. Seems like a bad material to use and will eventually be a pain to hassle with.

 

[Kaizen]

Thanks for the opinions guys. The bench will be more for the practice than anything else. Plan on doing a bar top down the road with it, so figured it may be a good dry run. As far as the impacts go, it will likely never see any at all. It would be used just to do assembly on small pieces and cleaning. Any large impacts i have a real workbench in my garage.



Think i may still go through with it. For a little bit of $$ it will be worth it for the experience, as concrete is something I’ve only done once in the past. Either way, i will be sure to come back and post pictures, for better or worse.

I posted my kitchen build. Really not hard. More anxiety provoking then anything. Building forms is easy. Pouring is as well. The mixing is difficult with color. I bought the hf mixer and it worked great.
Do a patio table or something instead if it’s mostly a dry run.


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[larry_g]

Wouldn't work for me. It's cold, abrasive, soft, brittle, and absorbent. Work around those issues and you may have a decent workbench.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[James-W]

Concrete is a wonderful product for some things, it's not so good for others. As others have mentioned, if you want to experiment with concrete then make a patio table or something similar. If you want to make a workbench, then use wood or metal. Concrete certainly has its uses, but a workbench is not one of the better ones.

 

[maxpat82]

Not for a work bench.

and no need for 4x4" to support it. 2x4 would be overkill.

I have done a 2" thick top for a living room IKEA cabinet and the cheap melamine cabinet have no issue at all..

 

[curiousB]

Generally a bad idea. Concrete is brittle like glass or stone. It is easily broken.

In you put some tubes in the pour and later put in some post tensioning cables to bias the slab into compression it might be more robust but that seem like a lot of work.

 

[bullnerd]

When I was in middle school (83?)I got my first mig welder.

I hammered, bent, welded all kinds of stuff on my parents concrete basement floor.

I didn't really see any difference in the finish of the steel parts versus working on a steel bench.

Put some of that super heavy duty corrugated stuff they use in industrial multi floor buildings under it! That would be cool!

I'd take a concrete bench over a flimsy 1/4" steel, drum top bench anyday.

 

[Firebrick43]

Take some 1/4" steel sheet and weld bottom sides on 4" thick. Weld rebar across these side in both directions and pour the bottom full of concrete. Not its a composite and enjoys the advantages of both, high mass with a durable, oil proof surface. Still may not want to beat on it with a sledge but any intelligent person wouldn't do it either to a bench under 1/2"-5/8" steel sheet or thicker.

 

[CaverDave]

Following this as I'm need a of "do-all" workbench for my new shop... something to beat on, fab (cut/grind/weld) on, dis/re-assembly of smaller automotive/OPE components and general work surface. I plan to attach a vice (currently have a 6" Columbian) and want to be able hog (beat/bang/torque) on things in the vice WITHOUT it moving, having to hold the bench, or bolting it down/to wall too.

Have been following some YouTube videos by Andrew Camarata (built a massive shipping container "castle" with a large shop in the lower center) and he built some benches that he reports: "Yeah, its all 4" angle iron with a 4" concrete top. They are strong and don't wiggle around." and when asked about for more detail ("Did you skin the bottom sides and pour it in? Rebar/wire to keep it from cracking?") replied "I used shipping container siding. Yes, I welded in a grid of re-bar.".

Seriously thinking about replicating his design for a 3' x 5' using whatever steel my local "recycler" might have, sleeves for the vice mount, roofing metal for the bottom skin, rebar grid, and hand mixing the concrete...

 

[maxpat82]

Having a steel top workbench allow you to weld anything to it to make a jig or simply hold something in a particular manner.
you can't do that with a concrete top....and it might be prone to chipping.

I have a 2'x4' 3/8" thick plate as my workbench on caster and it's the best thing I have ever had. Drilled 1/2" hole in a 6" pattern to put home clamp (from cheapo F-clamp).. Best workbench I have ever had. if only I could have room for a 3x6 or 4x8 permanent one....the 2x4 is a great all around size for most garage/shop.

 

[ez-duzit]

Horrible idea for a workbench.

Unsubscribed.

 

[bdbecker]

FWIW, here is a concrete workbench in a friend's property. The building used to house a concrete products factory where they made things like statues and plant boxes. This was in their main production area that was built in the 1960's and was in operation until the early 2000's. No way of telling what they used the bench for or how long it had been in service, but still interesting none the less.

View media item 92194
View media item 92193

 

[Jazz1]

only way concrete would suitable is if you laid some 3/4" conveyor belt over it, otherwise stick to basics. My bench top started as 1" plywood then laid 3/16" steel plate over top

 

[stokefire7]

So looking to see if this is a dumb idea, or would work. I’ve been looking at pics and videos of people doing polished concrete tables, and am looking to do one eventually. I have to build a small work bench for very light weight work (not automotive and doesn’t have to hold much weight/not even in the garage) I figured I’d could use this as a test to see how it would come out, before undertaking a more aesthetic project.

In the planning stages right now, but thinking of a work bench on 4x4s (due to weight of the concrete), roughly 2’Dx4’L, with a 2” concrete top. But it would give me practice for down the road, and if it doesn’t come out perfectly it’s okay. Was also thinking of sinking bolts in it for a small vice, but would be used more to hold while i work, than any real twisting force.

Am i barking up the wrong tree, or does this seem like a sound idea?

I like it.

 

[maxpat82]

Don't overthink the structure.
I did 2 counter top for my living room to put on top of IKEA module 16"x45" x 2"thick and they hold it very easy.

Did the mold with regular melamine and 3 lenght of 3/8 rebar that I had laying around. Regular all pupose concrete bag for your favorite big store.

 

[El Bicho Malo]

Lot of naysayers who don’t appear to be listening. It sounds like it is NOT intended to be used as a real work bench. Also, I don’t believe a lot of have ever touched or seen a concrete counter, much less built one.

Anyway, endless ways to do it. You said polished, and you can do that, but may be overkill. If you cast finish side down, you can get a great smooth surface using melamine forms. Caulk the corners. Use paste wax when done. I’ve got one in the boys’ bathroom. Takes plenty of abuse (no, I don’t mean hammers or motor oil), still looks and feels great. Use rebar, mesh, or both. Vibrate well. Don’t be in a hurry to strip forms. And be ready for it to be very heavy and unwieldy. Not a one man job to handle. Casting studs in will cause problems for your form work and stripping. Sleeves better, or just drill and set with epoxy later. Have fun, embrace the flaws. Perfection is boring.