workbench top

[whelenfan]

I am thinking about putting a new top on my workbench. I think that I will go with a 3/4" plywood. I will more than likely just attach it to the existing benchtop, what would be the best? Glue and screw? Glue and nut & bolt? General maintenance with alot of reloading. The existing top is wood trim with a masonite type of material.

I am not positive about the masonite, but it is considerably softer than wood and seems to be quite weak for any kind of stressing job on it. Such as bolting presses to it.

 

[mdbeck1]

I am thinking about putting a new top on my workbench. I think that I will go with a 3/4" plywood. I will more than likely just attach it to the existing benchtop, what would be the best? Glue and screw? Glue and nut & bolt? General maintenance with alot of reloading. The existing top is wood trim with a masonite type of material.

What kind of work are you planning on doing with the workbench?
- A wood top doesn't work well with Welding equipment.
- Metal tops don't normally work well with electronics.
...

 

[R6 Racer]

Pics would help... a lot!

I just re topped my bench... had a local metal shop bend me up a 10 Gauge sheet. It goes up the back 6" & down the front 1.5" The old top is 2 pcs of 3/4" ply.
I will post pics later... It is so covered in project pieces right now that I cant get any pics.
It cost me just under $100.00, it wont wear out like plywood & wiping stuff up off it is super easy now.

Steve

 

[whelenfan]

I will get some pics up later after I clean it off to see! It is covered with so much **** right now. Hmmm, what will I be doing on it? I don't weld (as of yet), but reloading is my first love. so sturdy enough for mounting a press and full length sizing (plus a couple of vises, I like to work on two cycle engines too so something that can get dirty from chainsaw muck. Minor maintenance on my three vehicles so smaller things will be on it. I also work on "trying" to repair electronics, computers, old power tools, etc. I do alot of tinkering with all kinds of general homeowner things so a pretty general bench top.

 

[mdbeck1]

I will get some pics up later after I clean it off to see! It is covered with so much **** right now. Hmmm, what will I be doing on it? I don't weld (as of yet), but reloading is my first love. so sturdy enough for mounting a press and full length sizing (plus a couple of vises, I like to work on two cycle engines too so something that can get dirty from chainsaw muck. Minor maintenance on my three vehicles so smaller things will be on it. I also work on "trying" to repair electronics, computers, old power tools, etc. I do alot of tinkering with all kinds of general homeowner things so a pretty general bench top.

I've got a workbench that I originally set up for woodworking. It has a 3/4" plywood top and I do a LOT of the same stuff. Over the years it has soaked up a lot of engine oil from minor repairs. When I replace it I'll probably go back with 3/4" plywood with a formica top on it. The formica will provide a smooth surface and make cleaning up a lot easier.

Things to consider...
- for electronics repair a metal top might not be too good. It wold conduct electricity and that could be fatal to ciricuit boards. A wood top or a top with a rubber coating might be good.
- for reloading you can't have ANY oil near the powder and primers (it will make them inert). Metal tables seem to keep an oil coating on them even after you clean them. Also static electricity and metal tops with gunpowder might not be a good combination. Of course you don't want a top that gives so a rubber top is probably out.
- for engine repairs you probably don't want wood or a rubber mat. They would soak up oil.

So... my recommendation at this point would be to make one top and make "covers" out of metal, wood, or rubber to put on it.

 

[LeonardY]

I am thinking about putting a new top on my workbench. I think that I will go with a 3/4" plywood. I will more than likely just attach it to the existing benchtop, what would be the best? Glue and screw? Glue and nut & bolt? General maintenance with alot of reloading. The existing top is wood trim with a masonite type of material.

I am not positive about the masonite, but it is considerably softer than wood and seems to be quite weak for any kind of stressing job on it. Such as bolting presses to it.

There are grades of "Masonite" The generic term is hardboard. There is also tempered hardboard. Which is harder. The local big box stores only carry 1/8 thick stuff but 1/4 thick is availble at plywood suppliers. If you put another sub surface on your bench then make the cover out of tempered hardboard. Just screw the hardboard down. You'll only have to replace the hardboard next time.

I have a maple slab top which I cover with MDF when I work on dirty and greasey stuff. When it gets bad. I toss it.

 

[srmofo]

Ive got 2 layers of 3/4 ply. It doesnt bounce a bit.

 

[whelenfan]

sounds good, I should be able to roll with some 3/4" plywood and just screw it down to the existing table top. I like the formica idea though. I don't forsee myself getting geared up for any welding anytime soon so metal shouldn't be needed. Thanks guys, I promise to post up some before and after pics.

 

[hdshinn]

I'm a big fan of tempered masonite for bench a bench surface. I have it on the bench behind my engine lathe. Gets lots of cutting oil and swarf all over it yet cleans up quite well. I just drilled/countersunk holes for flat head drywall screws judiciously place to avoid any 'hollow' spots then put a 1x trim of hardwood on the edges.

 

[von zipper]

1/8 in diamond plate on one, Formica on the other( for light duty)

 

[WRX/Z28]

Home Depot has scraps and remnants of counter tops for sale on the cheap a lot. They make nice cheap work bench tops...

 

[whelenfan]

I've got a piece of what I believe to be mdf covered with a formica type surface (it came off of a metal office desk). It seems to be what I want, in fact there is another desk at work that I will take a look at tomorrow.

 

[ninedriver]

I've made custom counter tops out of 2 sheets of 3/4" ply and then took em to the Rhino liner place. They shot em for like $50. Very durable and look great. You can buy Krylons version of rhino liner and diy. I've heard the Herculiner diy has some rather 'chunky' media within it for traction so I'd stay away from that. My $.02.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Suggestion... check out your local used office furniture warehouse stores. I scored some laminate/formica slabs from office cubicles for free (and they were HEAVY) at a local used office furniture warehouse. Hauled them to my father-in-law's garage and helped him build new workbenches with them. You could get one of those rubber parking mats to put on the top when working with oily, greasy car parts... would make for easier clean-up.

 

[Will67]

If you had the $$ I would look at phenolic plywood