Protecting workbench surfaces?

[Interex]

I've got some workbenches in the garage that have laminate tops. Since it's a dark blue color, I'm noticing a good amount of scratches are starting to show up. Yes, I'm aware that a workbench is going to get scratched/dinged/etc. but I'd love to keep the surface looking somewhat neat. I'm thinking of either getting some workbench mats or covering the entire bench with some type of rubberized flooring. Has anyone done anything like this? Any suggestions on what I can do to keep the top in decent shape?

 

[EdT]

This is like the guy I knew at school who had beautiful leather luggage that he put in plastic covers when he traveled so it wouldn't get scratched. That way, when it was in the closet between trips, it looked nice. That said, Masonite wrks well. It's cheap and when its tired you can just pitch it. Galvanized sheet metal that you can get from a place than does ductwork is good and you can get the duct place to put a couple of bends in in if you want. Stainless sheet metal is good, but can get spendy. If you want real good visibility, there is some white "tileboard" kind of stuff in the paneling dept of HD or lowes that is pretty cost effective and has a pretty durable surface that you can wipe down, Still going to get dinged up though.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I got some rubber mat (that was designed to protect flooring, I think) at the local hardware store. My benches still gets nicked up, but the center parts -- where most of the damage would get done -- are a little better protected, now.

 

[Stephenw]

Here is how I handle messy jobs on my workbench...

http://shopngarage.com/2010/03/tear-down-pan/

 

[Shadowdog500]

I got some rubber mat (that was designed to protect flooring, I think) at the local hardware store. My benches still gets nicked up, but the center parts -- where most of the damage would get done -- are a little better protected, now.

Jack,

Great solution!!

Do you have a closeup of that mat. How thick is it?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Krokodil]

I sometimes use these car floor rubber mats to protect workbench surfaces.

 

[Davefr]

I use 18" X 18" rubber interlocking flooring tiles.

Lowes also sells it by the piece. It's tough but easy to clean and individual pieces can be replaced if needed..

http://www.lowes.com/pd_206242-3367...urrentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=rubber+flooring+tiles

 

[3 at 8]

My father in law swears by a rubber mat and it does seem to clean up pretty good. I used a hardboard like pegboard without the holes and am dissapointed as I screwed it down and it is all wavy from moisture changes. On one bench I used a scrap peice of shower surround, and while it is slippery, it is white and nice to work over. It seems to be impervious to the solvents that I have exposed it to and clean up very well. Strangley enough; the only stain that is permenant on it is from a Nicoderm patch I took off my arm and threw on it for it to sit untouched for severel weeks.

 

[Sterff]

I had a local metal shop cut me a piece of 1/8" steel with their water-jet. Its easy to clean and oil wipes right off.

 

[airbuff101]

I had a local metal shop cut me a piece of 1/8" steel with their water-jet. Its easy to clean and oil wipes right off.

I second the steel plate f it's going to see any kind of heavy work.
I've had a sheet of 1/8" or 3/16" steel plate on my motorcycle bench for 25 years. Years of M/C center stands, jacks etc. on it and not a dimple. Easy to wipe up and scrape stuff off of too. I'd wipe with an oily rag every now and then.

It measures 28" X 73" and will now live on my sons heavy work bench for a generation or two....as soon as I can scare up the gumption to unbolt it .
We plan to screw it down with countersunk screws.
Rob

 

[timgr]

I put a band of 1x6 maple around my bench and raised it 1/4" above the surface. Then I made an insert of masonite for a work surface. After a while, changes in humidity made it curl, so I put a dab of silicone under each corner. Should have wiped it with poly too ... oil spots.

 

[granitestater]

I use this:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=4529/sku/2436SGCM__2_24X36_BENCH_FIELD_GUN_MAT

and this
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=11031/sku/RANSOM_MASTER_MAT

See pictures below. These are not cheap or free but they protect the bench and small parts. I have several because the black one absorbs oils and I don't like to mix, I have 1 for gun repair and several others for bicycle and automotive work. I use the grey one for dry work such as rebuilding alternators and starters.

 

[Scout Driver]

Rubber floor mats from a car, a welcome mat, or to cover a bigger area...... get a "runner" used to protect flooring in a hallway or longer area.

If in need of a metal shield, roadsigns are tough and lightweight.

Scott

 

[NewShockerGuy]

I use this:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=4529/sku/2436SGCM__2_24X36_BENCH_FIELD_GUN_MAT

and this
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=11031/sku/RANSOM_MASTER_MAT

See pictures below. These are not cheap or free but they protect the bench and small parts. I have several because the black one absorbs oils and I don't like to mix, I have 1 for gun repair and several others for bicycle and automotive work. I use the grey one for dry work such as rebuilding alternators and starters.

I just got the first brownells mat... extremely disappointed in it. Very thin and feels like a piece of felt.

I just ordered this:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=30231

Figure it's so large I can cut it in half and use it on both my work benches.

The brownells I'm extremely dissapointed in though...***** because most of their stuff is great.

-Nigel

 

[ckadams00]

I use a 2x4 piece of hardboard. This was a 'temporary" solution - I had always planned on buying a sheet of steel to cover the benchtop, but I've come to really like it - it's cheap, and I like that I can cut things on it with a box knife. When it gets beat up I just replace it.

 

[Matt018]

I use a piece of laminated desk top, and a piece of diamond plate screwed to the top of that.

 

[sometoyotaguy]

I'm using hardboard. If I'll be doing something especially harsh, there plenty of free cardboard at work. So far so good.

 

[Outlawmws]

I recently scraped out a Treadmill (to get the motors and controllers) and cut up the belt for some mats. Seems to work well, so if you want a good speed control motor setup for something, you can get the mats for free!

If not, runner mats work well, I use ordinary place mats when working on the kitchen table at times (Cheap and sacrificial), Masonite was mentioned and does well, and for a quick job, even cardboard will work

 

[haveissues]

I put some sheet metal on one of my benches. Easy to clean and durable.

 

[Vvmvbb]

Yeah, couple of pieces of Masonite for me too for automotive work, etc.

 

[Givl Reggin]

It depends on what you're using the workbench for... depending on your needs it could be anything from cork, glass, butcher paper, cardboard, concrete pavers, plastic laminate, linoleum, carpet, Masonite, sheet metal, plywood.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I covered both of my benches with masonite. It's like having a new workbench!!

 

[893cv]

I use a hobby cutting mat. I do a lot of masking and painting and have several of these. The ones I use are self healing and scales and grid printed on the surface are handy.

 

[RayV]

I use a sheet of 1/4" rubber livestock mat. You can buy it buy the foot at farm/feed stores. I also use a piece on my concrete floor of the shop. It is heavy enough that it stays put on my maple shop table.

 

[JASTECH]

My main work bench is 16' x 30", I went to a local HVAC company that owes me cut and bend be 2 sheets of galvanized. It covers the top and then a nice back splash and front overlap. My welding bench is all steel 48" x 24". My other work bench for electrical stuff is all stainless steel. Then my Island bench is 80" x 48" fire door rideing two horsies.

 

[Jawn]

Jegs mat. It helps prevent damaging that beautiful maple bench top.

 

[bsaint]

I put an old work benchtop over my new work benchtop.

 

[softailgarage]

I use a 2x4 piece of hardboard. This was a 'temporary" solution - I had always planned on buying a sheet of steel to cover the benchtop, but I've come to really like it - it's cheap, and I like that I can cut things on it with a box knife. When it gets beat up I just replace it.

3'x6' sheet of hardboard for the main bench. The stuff is awesome, it looks good,can cut into it, spills clean up easy, you can pound the **** out of it & when it's wasted, slap another one on top and good to go I used to also use doormats, before they got all fancy. 2'x 2'1/2 x 1/2" black rubber doormat, cheap, good for working on electrical components, just cant find 'em anymore.

 

[Outlander]

Too bad I had not read this before I let my grease gun explode all over my workbench! I now have a yucky slippery section.....looks like I'll try the Masonite/hardboard route and just hide my handiwork.

 

[rick carpenter]

Hardboard or mdf. If mdf, bathe it several times each side and edges with turpentine, boiled linseed oil, and varnish/tung oil at any ratio you have.