New Work Bench, Top Suggestions? Options

[jfort]

I am going to make a new work bench this winter. Maybe 30" by 16'. 4 by 4's. drawers and a shelf across the bottom. A vise. I am just your typical once-in-while car project and home project type guy.

Don't know what to do for the top. I see places make butcher block. I put formica-type stuff on top of 3/4" plywood one time. I've though about a sheet of metal, but something tells me not to do that.

Suggestions? Any other suggestion about a work bench would be appreciated, too. For example, I've thought about getting 2 or 3 half-sized metal shop drawer thinks, bolting them together and putting a work bench top on that. What do you think?

[zonedoubt]

Salvaged kitchen laminate countertop. Mine has stood up nicely and cleans up well. I suppose it depends what you're doing on it.

[strawman]

Salvaged kitchen laminate countertop. Mine has stood up nicely and cleans up well. I suppose it depends what you're doing on it.

I agree with this; the coved backsplash keeps small parts from falling between the wall and bench, and it is really easy to clean up. There is also a small lip at the front, which keeps small pieces from rolling off (good for old guys like me with diminishing eyesight).

I placed the laminate countertop on top of two sheets of 3/4" plywood sandwiched together, and screwed from the bottom into the countertop. That way, the countertop is uber-smooth (at first) and when it gets too gouged/nasty, pop it off and replace it. I've been able to find two used pieces on Craigslist for free at my previous house over an 8-year period, but I bought a new one when I moved into my current house -- it was ~$65 at Homey Depot. MY 5" vise is bolted through the laminate piece and the plywood, so it is very sturdy.