Surface ideas for work bench?

[red73mustang]

I currently have a 10 foot long work bench in my shop that has "hard board" as the surface. I chose it because its smooth, provides a nice flat uniform surface and is cheap!

The down side is if any corrosive solvents are spilled on it you gets stains and in the case of cleaners like ammonia or alcohol it will soften and eat through.

I would prefer using some nice aluminum sheet metal, but the cost was just too high. Would love to hear of some alternatives.

Chet

 

[Vvmvbb]

Formica?

 

[ZRX61]

thin steel

 

[383 240z]

My bench has a top made from 3/4" plywood. However I was wondering if anybody has made a concrete topped bench? I've seen it used for countertops in some pretty high end kitchens. Anybody here given it a try? Keith

 

[Thumper68]

My shop sink is set in a concrete counter top, I just formed it up with 3/4 ply some wire lath and a 1x6 around the edge (flexible plastic for the sink opening) and mixed my own concrete from Portland cement, sand, and a small aggraget <sp>. Poured in place and then troweled smooth then ground. I sealed it with thompsons and its held up well for 7 or 8 years.

 

[dittle fart around]

Stop by your local sheet metal fab shop and have them bend some metal up for you. Two bends one for the front edge that you can screw into the plywood top. Then a couple of inches for a back splash. You'll never need to replace the worktop again.

 

[kbs2244]

I use the cheap white hardbord based bathroom paneling.
It has the same advantages as your current top plus being white.
The white surface seem to stand up to anything but acatone.
It does get beat up and has to be replaced every once in a while, but it is cheap.
It comes in 4 x 8 sheets, but since my workbench is not 48 front to back I can get the sheets with damaged corners for enevn less money.

 

[Davefr]

My bench surface is covered with those interlocking rubber tiles used for garage floors. I like it because it isn't slick like a metal surface and it's impervious to any chemicals. They're also pretty cheap.

I'd prefer not to have those little round textured bumps but I can live with them. I've also noticed that over time they'll warp a little.

 

[Rod N]

My brother in law just covered his with rubber runner from Princess auto.
Works well and I think it was $3/ft

 

[1953mercury]

I used some Lexan from an old sign that was being thrown out over the top of 3/4" plywood. It has been in place over 20 yrs. and has held up very well under hard use. You could paint the underside any color you choose, or leave it clear. Mike

 

[lowrider85]

best thing i have found is rolled rubber mat

 

[sawbuck]

best thing i have found is rolled rubber mat

x2 home depot ....cheap and easy to replace ...I got some aluminum trim molding for the edge and mitered the corners ....countersunk the screws ...glued the mat ....done...

 

[DAVE VAN]

Mine is covered with 16ga galvanized sheet from an old sign. It wont rust and has held up for 10 years. Local sheet metal shop broke a 90deg bend on the front edge.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Well, I know this is overkill, but I have a small work bench in the garage with two pieces of steel, each measuring 12 inches wide, 5.33 feet long and almost 2 inches thick. I have three more pieces of the same stuff that are each 10.66 foot by 12 inches by 2 inches that are going to be the top of my big work bench when I build my workshop. That bench will be 3 foot by 10.66 feet.

As you may have guessed, I got a deal on the steel. I bought four pieces (I cut one in half for the small work bench) weighing almost 1000 pounds each for $300. Had to make two trips to pick them up as I only had a 1/2 ton pickup, and even then it was riding on the snubbers. Had to use an engine hoist to put the two pieces on my small workbench. It took longer to drill six holes (4 for the vise and two for the bench grinder) than it did to cut that piece in half and set in place.

I was searching for some 1/4 inch steel plate on CL, when I ran across the ad for these four giant pieces of steel. They were salvaged from a railroad bridge built in the 40's. Too good of a deal to pass up.

BTW, I love having thick steel for a worktop.

 

[1953mercury]

x2 home depot ....cheap and easy to replace ...I got some aluminum trim molding for the edge and mitered the corners ....countersunk the screws ...glued the mat ....done...

From my experience the rubber tread material is not chemical friendly, and if it's the ribbed stuff, it's a pain to keep clean. Mike

 

[sawbuck]

From my experience the rubber tread material is not chemical friendly, and if it's the ribbed stuff, it's a pain to keep clean. Mike

flip it over ...there is a smooth side .. tuff stuff

 

[cparcell]

For a general work bench 3/4 oak flooring laid over plywood makes for a good surface and can be bought cheap from lumber liquidators clearance areA

 

[Arps]

I just have 2x6 boards on mine. Works OK

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/68370_1510482198288_5596403_n.jpg

 

[scrumpy]

I have one of those black all chemical top surfaces from a science lab. It was given to me and I do not know where it was sourced from. Likely a takeout when the local college remodeled as it was around the same time. This top is way tougher than I thought it would be. I am not kind to it and it just holds up. I mounted it on a stainless steel angle iron frame with six adjustable legs. I would take ten more if I could find them.

-Scrump

 

[Kevin54]

Laminate flooring.

 

[DCarr]

I used 3/4" plywood then flooded them with Varathane.

On My " Assembly " Bench I screwed down a piece of 16 ga. Sheet metal.