Work Bench Top/Coating

[clutch93]

So i've done some searching on the site and can't really find what i'm looking for. I have an 8'X2' work bench i built out of plywood and 2X4's. It's nothing fancy but it works for me.
My only problem is with it being bare wood, it soaks up grease,oil, etc. What's the best way to top or cover this work bench on a budget? I called around and it's over $100 bucks to get cheap hot rolled steel plate to cover it, stainless was almost $500, i had NO idea it was that pricey,so that's out.
I'm open to suggestions, I only spent about $30 bucks building this thing i'm not looking to spend triple or more on a top cover.
Looking around on here i've seen people use everything from truck bed liner to staining and sealing. What's best for easy clean up, and taking abuse from hammering, grinding sparks and so on?

 

[seaphoto]

I have had good luck screwing a 1/8" hardboard / masonite over a bench - if you use a 4 X 8 sheet, and get the kind that is smooth on both sides you have 4 changes available. A couple of coats of polyurethane should give you oil resistance.

I got excellent service on a bench covering with some spare Pergo flooring. If I were to do it again I would carefully glue the edges with water resistant glue to make sure moisture didn't get between them and cause swelling. The advantage with the surface was it's durability - I could even pop superglue off it it, and it survived everything I threw at it except overdriving a nail with a nailgun.

When I solder on a bench I use a few firebricks (bricks to be used in fireplaces) to protect the surface - a few flat for a workspace, and then a few upright behind that to keep the heat in an protect the surrounding area.

HTH

 

[Jack Olsen]

You can get a roll of 24"x10' galvanized flashing for $15. Since it's only .01" thick, it will get some dents and scratches over time -- but it'll be easy to clean and cheap to replace.

 

[Falcon67]

My main bench is 8' x 2' x 3/4" ply over a 2x4 frame. It's covered with a light gray garage floor/porch paint and has held up well for 12 years. Including engine and transmission rebuilds. I'm like you, I think I have $40 in the whole thing. A quart was like $6~10. Good idea on the flashing too. I might try that over Masonite sometime.

 

[indymx6]

If you have a TSC close Check out the horse trailer mat. Its rubber and pretty thing and rugged. That's what i'm going to use on my bench top. You can find it smooth or with small ridges to keep stuff from rolling which is what i'm leaning towards.

 

[clutch93]

Thanks for the replys everyone. I'm leaning towards jacks idea of using the flashing. My only concern is how thin it is, it could be a great way to slice myself open real well if a corner or edge ever comes loose. I'm thinking I could just use a piece of wood trim as a border around the whole work bench to cover the edges and just glue down the flashing. Dual purpose, things can't roll off as easy and no more sharp edges.

 

[need more tools]

you can use 12x12 self sticking vinyl tile can get them for pennies as lowes and depot puts them on discontinued racks get a few extras can replace any you damage.You will be suprised how well the hold up .plus they cost next to nothing and all kinds of styles and color

 

[chillrich]

I have thought that reusing some sheet metal off an old fridge or freezer would work.

Also noticed that 2 part floor epoxy would be a durable work surface.

 

[kesslerbmw]

Check pricing on "Plate" steel. Im thinking about using it on my bench top, its not cheap, but very durable.

 

[Leeboy20]

I put 2 coats of black high gloss/self priming urethane enamel. Works great and looks good.Almost like someone dipped it in plastic coat

 

[quick86]

You can get a roll of 24"x10' galvanized flashing for $15. Since it's only .01" thick, it will get some dents and scratches over time -- but it'll be easy to clean and cheap to replace.

I was considering this myself, but am also concerned like the OP about sharp *** edges... Got any suggestions??

 

[birdman1]

It all depends on the type of work you will be doing on the bench. If you are checking out electrical items you want a wood or countertop type top, they do not conduct electricity. I have two bench tops, metal and wood, depending on the items I am working on. Old solid core doors make great tops.I have perimeter benches that are framed with 2x4's and covered with 2 pc. of 3/4" plywood.
Mike

 

[robertgreen79]

I was considering this myself, but am also concerned like the OP about sharp *** edges... Got any suggestions??

I'd use this on the edges. Cheap solution. I might be trying the flashing and this now

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[z28snksknr]

I go with bare wood on mine (3 2x12's laid flat). Nothing looks more authentic than a well worn workbench top. It's all "character" added over a lifetime of projects. This is what I convince myself with when I spill oil on it or burn it when soldering, etc.

I have some cheap laminate "pergo" laying around. I may give that a shot now as well to dress it up a bit.

 

[jessemac]

one of mine is just bare plywood too and i think the whole sheet was 20 bucks. i was thinking about sealing it for liquids when i seal my deck this summer other than that when fubared i'll unscrew it and replace it. my other bench top i got 2'x5' ss table top for 70 bucks on craigslist thank you cl gods

 

[GTO]

Go to your local Steel Supply House and get some sheet metal,drill some countersunk holes and apply.

 

[Johnnie]

I recently built a bench with the top being oak plywood which is almost $50 a sheet. I was undecided on how to protect it so I put 4 coats of urethane which protects it from spills and stains. As far as dents and dings, well that will just add character over time.

I also looked at several different options on how to protect it and most of them were expensive. Masonite is a good option. I also saw some rubber type carpet runners at Lowes that I was considering. It just depends on what you like. Luckily for me, my friend just offered me a huge piece of SS that has been sitting in his garage. =)

 

[redline9k]

I just built my bench and threw on a sheet of 3/4 melamine...its the cheaper version of formica (lpl vs hpl), and not as strong against dents/chips, but sofar so good. (just for a test, i tried to gouge it with my keys and it really took a ton of effort to barely scratch it). Anyway, I rounded the corners w/ a router and its been great. The only downside is that its a little slippery, so benchdogs/cookies are useful.

I used some PL and pin nails to hold it in place while the PL dried and its not going anywhere.

I knocked over a bottle of PVC primer (purple dye) and it wiped right up with no notice of residue, and i was sold.

4x8 sheets are ~35

 

[quick86]

You can get a roll of 24"x10' galvanized flashing for $15. Since it's only .01" thick, it will get some dents and scratches over time -- but it'll be easy to clean and cheap to replace.

Went and picked up a roll @ Menards on lunch. $19.99 for the roll I got - the roll of aluminum was $13.99.... Steel Prices might have made an effect on prices.

Either way, this is going to work out awesome!

 

[robertgreen79]

Went and picked up a roll @ Menards on lunch. $19.99 for the roll I got - the roll of aluminum was $13.99.... Steel Prices might have made an effect on prices.

Either way, this is going to work out awesome!

Was 24" the largest width you saw?

 

[quick86]

Was 24" the largest width you saw?

Yeah. they had 24" and 20" at Menards. My bench is 26" deep but I am going to leave a 2" Gap at the back side so I easilly mount items to the bench as I need.

 

[ZeroSignal]

Try looking for a lower quality stainless maybe. Was that a price for 304 S/S?If so try looking at 430 S/S, will show some rust spots compared to 304 but 430 is alot cheaper.

 

[milkovich]

A section of old conveyor belt. That stuff is invincible.

 

[Lunchbox]

Great ideas everyone! i am in the same boat, but i was recently at my local reuse center and they had a bunch of boxes of overstock VCT. I was thinking of using that and sealing it with some epoxy. does anyone see any downsides to that approach?

 

[chadman]

I would just bite the bullet and get a steel top. I just ordered a 12' long x 30" deep 3/16" hot rolled P&O steel top with a 4" backsplash for my new workbench. It is costing me $327 and will weigh 270lbs. Yeah it ***** forking out the cash right now but years down the road I'm sure I won't regret it as with any quality tool purchase.

 

[quick86]

I have uploaded a pic of my top with the galvanized steel flashing setup.


Thanks Jack!


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89294

 

[Jack Olsen]

That looks great!

 

[Stephenw]

One option is to leave a wooden bench top and pick up a drip pan from the auto parts store. Do all your messy jobs inside the drip pan.

 

[Wes28376]

I have uploaded a pic of my top with the galvanized steel flashing setup.


Thanks Jack!


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89294

That looks great. How did you secure the flashing?

 

[quick86]

That looks great. How did you secure the flashing?

I massaged and formed it around the edges which gave it a natural "grab" of sorts, and otherwise secured it with some screws in to my MDF top. Seems to be holding great so far!

 

[clutch93]

Hey Quick86, thanks for posting up pictures of your bench. It looks Great! I think i'm sold on this idea, was it pretty cheap like Jack thought it would be?

 

[Shadrack]

Conveyor belt sounds like a neat idea! I work at a coal mine, so I could probably pick a section of that up pretty cheap..... FREEEEBIEE! haha

 

[quick86]

Hey Quick86, thanks for posting up pictures of your bench. It looks Great! I think i'm sold on this idea, was it pretty cheap like Jack thought it would be?

The galvanized steel flashing was $20 24" x 10' at menards, but I'm sure it can be had cheaper elsewhere. Check craigslist - this morning I stumbled across a guy who had rolls of 24" x 50' for $20... Def. worth it ---- this alone will save my bench from all the soldering I'll be doing making wiring harnesses

 

[clutch93]

Very Cool, can't wait to make this addition. That will probably be the final touch to my garage remodel. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!