Workbench finishing ideas.

[jkd]

Finally built my first workbench! Thanks to everyone for their input and suggestions. I have one final question:

I used two layers of particle board covered by one final layer of melamine board on top (for a total of three layers). The edges are not finished (see photo) and I was wondering if I should do something to make it appear nicer? Or do you think I should just leave it as is? I plan on clamping a few tools to the edge and also attaching a handgun reloader or two. What do you guys think?

 

[Scout Driver]

Find a piece of steel channel that will fit over the edge (or get someone with a brake to bend a channel). This will give you something SOLID to clamp on and will protect your edge from chipping.

Scott

 

[rlme36]

I would trim the edge with oak or maple since the base appears to be also made of wood. If you plan to really abuse it using a steel edge might be the way to go.

 

[jkd]

If I use a wood trim, would I just use a plain rectangular block of wood and screw it directly to the side?

 

[KEH]

I would use screws plus wood glue. Use pipe clamps to hold the wood tight against the edge of the bench, put long screws in, I would want 2-3 inches into the OSB. If in
doubt use lag bolts and countersink the heads. 1/4 inch diameter should be sufficient.

KEH

 

[porschedude996TT]

They make a white tape that can be ironed on with a clothes iron. Another option is to glue and screw a square or 1/2 round cap on the edge.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I put 2" (by 1/8" thick) steel around the edge.

 

[jkd]

Hi Jack! (don't say that near an airport/airplane)

Do they sell those steel strips at the local hardware store? Or did you have to go to a specialty shop?

 

[1969]

Flat stock, 1/8"x2", Drill metal and countersink. Use 2"-3" course thread screws every foot or so. Particle or OSB end grain has very little holding power; thus the reason for the long screws. Flat stock can be bought at Lowes os HD, but not in long lengths.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Yes, you can buy it at a hardware store. But you'll bay significantly less if you can find a local steel supplier.

That said, I got those pieces before I'd started welding, so they're from Home Depot. You can see I had to have two pieces meet in the center of the bench. I drilled holes with an ordinary hand drill and then used a combination of screws and Liquid Nails to hold them in place.

 

[lupinsea]

I did a steel c-chanel edge in our kitchen (see below). However, I was able to anchor it into solid plywood. I'm not sure the particle board would be strong enough to take a screw connection, especially if you plan to do some hard work at this bench. I think I'd look at gluing and bonding some wood to the particle board edge. The glued connection would be much stronger than any screwed on metal.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Mongo countertop edging! arhg, arhg! What kind of finish did/are you going to use on the edging?

RJ