What's makes the best Workbench Top?

[CO Hummer]

MDF or Plywood?

As I finish my new garage setup - I'm finally building the 12" and 6" workbenches. I have base cabinets, but I need to put on a bench top. I'm thinking about a 3/4" plywood, covered by 3/4" MDF. Whaddya think?

[SnakeH2]

What type of work will be done on your bench?

Assuming you will protect it...what will you seal it with?

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Originally Posted by CO Hummer

MDF or Plywood?

As I finish my new garage setup - I'm finally building the 12" and 6" workbenches. I have base cabinets, but I need to put on a bench top. I'm thinking about a 3/4" plywood, covered by 3/4" MDF. Whaddya think?

Use plywood and screw it down...

Plywood is more forgiving then MDF and with it being screwed down you can replace it easy as needed

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by lotus4s

I'd recommend post form countertops from Home Depot.

What is that? I walked around Home Depot last night and don't see what you're talking about. Are you talking about the pre-finished (laminated) countertops? The problem there is that they are all multicolored and pretty dark which make finding screws and small stuff difficult.

[BKLYNH2]

3/4" plywood then put 3/16" "eucaboard" that's what the brand is at home depot. Its a mdf board sealed on one side. Its a good surface for alot of types of projects and if it gets to messed up you can pull it off and get a new sheet for very little.

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by SnakeH2

What type of work will be done on your bench?

Assuming you will protect it...what will you seal it with?

I'll do all sorts of things on it, not a necessarily a specific purpose.

If it's plywood I will stain and poly it. If it's MDF, not sure.

[Adam in CO]

Originally Posted by CO Hummer

MDF or Plywood?

As I finish my new garage setup - I'm finally building the 12" and 6" workbenches. I have base cabinets, but I need to put on a bench top. I'm thinking about a 3/4" plywood, covered by 3/4" MDF. Whaddya think?

For teh metalworking you've been interested in recently, I would think a steel top would be better. Don't you tink?

[SnakeH2]

Originally Posted by CO Hummer

I'll do all sorts of things on it, not a necessarily a specific purpose.

If it's plywood I will stain and poly it. If it's MDF, not sure.

That's what I did and it worked great. Sanded between many coats and it was very smoth and real easy for clean up.

[timgco]

stain and poly is the way to go. Also get some aluminum trim for the front and sides. THe edges of the bench seem to get dinged up and/or splintered...esp. if you're throwing heavier metal or other things on it.

[ssgharkness020147]

Do you know of anywhere that you could get some old bowling alley planks? If you want a tough bench top, alley planks are where its at.

[Hunner]

Stainless steel!

[timgco]

I can;t believe you overlooked a crypto benchtop.

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by Adam in CO

For teh metalworking you've been interested in recently, I would think a steel top would be better. Don't you tink?

I already built two movable, 1/4 thick top, metal work tables. This is primarily for everything else.

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by timgco

I can;t believe you overlooked a crypto benchtop.

Good point.

However, I do have a welcome mat that is 100% crypto. It's great for scraping your dirty boots on.

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by ssgharkness020147

Do you know of anywhere that you could get some old bowling alley planks? If you want a tough bench top, alley planks are where its at.

I haven't heard that one before. I have heard of guys using regular hardwood flooring that was left over from installs.

[bparker]

I wouldnt use MDF at all. It falls apart with the slighest bit of moisture from a cold beverage sweat in a short amount of time.

I would go in and buy a gray kitchen counter top cut to the size you need. It will be strong, attractive and water/moisture resistant.

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by bparker

I would go in and buy a gray kitchen counter top cut to the size you need. It will be strong, attractive and water/moisture resistant.

I'm thinking that's what I'm gonna do.

[BKLYNH2]

For crying out loud it's almost 2:00pm already. Make a decision, you could have had it in already, bolted that singer sewing machine to it, and made yourself some panties.

[bparker]

roflmfao

Originally Posted by BKLYNH2

For crying out loud it's almost 2:00pm already. Make a decision, you could have had it in already, bolted that singer sewing machine to it, and made yourself some panties.

[KenP]

Originally Posted by CO Hummer

MDF or Plywood?

As I finish my new garage setup - I'm finally building the 12" and 6" workbenches.

As small as they are, I don't think it matters what you use.

I used a prefab counter top from HD. It's got a light grey to white background with colored speckles. It sits on stock white cabinets and is 6' long.