bench top recommendations

S

SVanderkolff

Well-Known Member
I need to replace the tops of my work benches. I have two that need replacing , they are both 8' long by 2' deep. Can anyone recommend a good nearly indestructible bench top. I have thought of having some stainless steel tops made but I am not sure thats a good idea. possible laminate some 2 X 4s together edgewise and give them 27 coats of varnish. Figured I should ask the collective wisdom of the folks here first before wasting my time and money.
Thanks
Steve
 
Good old 3/4" AC plywood is hard to beat.
AC is finished on one side and 2 bench tops are ready to go once you've ripped the sheet down the middle. You can paint or stain it if you like. I run my pad sander over my glue-up station once in a while to get the lumps out. Most box stores will cut the sheet for you in their panel saw if you don't have the tools. 3/4" is rugged and stable enough to mount just about anything to it. All 3 of my benches are 2'x8' and have worn well for over a decade.

Rudy
 
I use AC plywood myself. After a quick sanding, I give it a couple coats of sanding sealer.
 
I scrounged some puck board (HDEP) from my parents farm. Since it is only 1/8" thick I backed it with solid 2x4. Great stuff, tough, solvent resistant, cleans like a dream.
 
Years ago I had a section covered with a 2'x4' peice of sheet metal for soldering on or what not, but quickly scrapped that idea. Any small metal parts like screws or pins that were dropped on it bounced out of sight like a super ball. A salvaged formica section of counter top was too slippery and bouncy.....besides you can't stick a blade in it when you get called away.

Rudy
 
Look for clearance granite slabs at any of your home improvement stores and build your bench to fit
You will be amazed at how cheap it is.
 
I have used AC plywood on all of the bench tops except for a 8 x 2 ft x 2" thick piece of a particle laminate that was new and sitting in the alley behind my shop. Go by some construction sites and cruise a few alleys to see what you can find?
 
Bought tables from Harbor Freight & Home Depot. Added 3/4" AC plywood to all 4 of them, sanded, sealed, and clear coated them with industrial clear top coat. Been nearly 2 years and they look like new when I wipe them down. I got 2 large granite sink cut outs from a kitchen contractor for $20 each sitting on top of the counter tops. Makes for a really hard and flat area when needed.
 
i am using 3/4" ply on a metal frame. another option would be 3/4" ply on top of a "standard" metal work table. I also have several pieces of granite countertop scrap and that i can put on top when needed.
 
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