workbench top

[blueovalforever]

looking for a cost effective sturdy top for a workbench. I already have a steel frame workbench and looking to put a good top on it.

 

[dv8customs]

Two layers of 3/4" MDF makes for a solid top

 

[Splitpi]

2x4 Sandwich

Run the would through a table saw and trim 1/4 inch off of each side (not the end). This will square up the wood to be a uniform shape perfect for glueing and making a nice "butcher block" top.

 

[kyrbz]

Two layers of 3/4" MDF makes for a solid top

Seal the edges with polyurethane or PC Wood Hardener and add a 1/8" or 1/4" masonite top to the MDF to take the abuse. I wouldn't glue the masonite, just a few screws to hold it in place. That way if you need to replace it, it's easy to do.

Many comercial made workbench tops are made of MDF sandwiched with masonite.

I use mostly 3/4" melamine tops in my wood shop. My metal shop worktable tops are baltic birch plywood with a sheet of 11 ga. steel on top. I always seal the exposed edges whether plywood or MDF.

BZ

 

[kd3pc]

solid core door, from CL or your local yard sale site

 

[blueovalforever]

solid core door, from CL or your local yard sale site

I like that idea.

 

[csp]

solid core door, from CL or your local yard sale site

With a piece of tempered hardboard on the top of it that can be replaced as it's abused/stained/ruined.

 

[Lippyp]

Mine just has 3" thick timber with a sheet of 3mm steel on top!

 

[crab]

Put a 3/16 steel top on it, only way to go. Nothing thinner. It will outlast you if the frame is good.

 

[Handyfarmer]

my tops are 10 gauge steel that has been formed by a brake with a front edge that come down and bent back about a half inch, and a back splash up about 2 foot,

(they were in a industrial scrap yard (new) and were bent for a truck box)

no you do not hammer and pound on them with sledge hammers,

 

[dv8customs]

I agree it depends on how you plan to use it. For just general work I have a couple with the MDF tops like this

But if I am doing something that I will need to break out the big hammers for, I use one of these with the 1" steel tops

 

[utterstan]

I have a used solid door with a rubber conveyor belt top free is the best isn't it

 

[mike13u]

What will you do on the top? If you work with metal, wood ***** as a top. If you work with wood, you have a lot more options. If you baby it and use it more as a shop desk or area to sit and work on small electronics or clean and lightweight items, any flat hard surface material will work. For example, an old laminate kitchen or bathroom counter makes a great surface for a shop table if your not into working heat/metal/etc.

 

[Debriefer]

After having an oil-impregnated wood top catch fire, I can say that I will never recommend wood as a workbench top, unless you are only ever going to do wood work, or other things that don't involve oil and heat.

My workbench top is 2x8s beside each other with 316 stainless 20ga on top. I /almost/ recommend it.

 

[dr_clyde]

For metalwork, a steel top is a must. I feel 1/4" thick is the minimum. For wood and general work I use a piece of 1-1/2" thick plywood that has been sanded and clear coated with a fairly hard lacquer.

Fine delicate work I like a white top, melamine or something similar. Smooth and easy to find tiny screws.

 

[nevercouldfigureitout]

I used 2x8's but someday I'd like to do a butcher block style top.

 

[kwb]

I did 3/4 cabinet ply framed like a wall underneath with 2x4's and is rock solid. I have a chunk of .080 aluminum on part of it. Used it for years for everything and while it has some war wounds it is still in decent shape.

Now for welding I have a dedicated 1" piece of T-1 that is about 5' square

 

[blueovalforever]

menards has a top that is 1 3/4 thick but it is just like particle board

 

[larry4406]

I used a steel commercial fire door slab.

 

[cwalt]

I recently fabricated one for my old Stanley-Vidmar tool storage cabinets using 1x12x8' red oak. The base has 1x4 red oak all around the perimeter with 1x12 lumber in the center section ripped to fit. The top is all red oak. I used my Porter-Cable plate joiner and installed #10 biscuits about every 10". I utilized Tite Bond III glue to assemble. The finished top required minimal sanding with my 4" belt sander. I stained the surface with a clear stain then next day applied Tung oil then rubbed it in real well after thirty minutes. I'm satisfied with the results. Whenever I can find time to spare, I'll sand down the rusty cabinets and each drawer inside and out and paint.

 

[dcmus]

Very nice job.

 

[cwalt]

I should have mentioned the size of the workbench red oak top. I cut the 8' pieces to 88-5/8" in length which allowed me 28-3/4" between the two storage cabinets. The width of each cabinet is 30". The depth of top is 27-5/8", same as depth of cabinets. I drilled four holes in the top of each cabinet then removed three drawers to gain access and used #12 pan head screws to secure the top to the cabinets. The screws go up into the top section but not threw the top surface. This leaves the top surface nice and clean.
I considered using Danish oil on the top but chose Tung oil as my research indicated it has superior qualities for the purpose.
The bottom assembly center pieces are 1" x 12" x 8' white pine trimmed to allow for the 1" x 4" red oak surrounding the white pine. I did use my Delta 12" planer to get the material to the same thickness prior to using the plate joiner for the biscuits. After gluing in and clamping it all up, there was very little mismatch where the various pieces joined each other. I hope this might help someone in planning. I could have purchased a top but most are to short in length and quite pricey. The red oak lumber is not cheap but pretty solid durable wood. I haven't figured exactly how much I have into the project but about $200. The height of the work surface is 34-3/4". I wanted to be able to sit in a chair or stool and work from the surface comfortable. I will place a large tool box in the center to the back side.
I plan on building a large long workbench later when I have more time. It will have my radial arm saw placed within the bench. Right now I am busy building out my office and bathroom in my 40' x 50' x 15' metal building erected last fall.

 

[E12-535iTurbo]

I used two antique salon table tops. They are 3,5 inch cross glued solid white oak. I put a sheet of 2mm stainless on top so it's quite sturdy .

I used the legs of one table to build me this: http://www.beastmaker.co.uk/products/beastmaker-1000-series