 New Work Bench, Top Suggestions? |
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| TravisNeff |
 Dec 20 2012, 03:27 PM
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#21
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914 Guru  Group: Members Posts: 5,082 Joined: 20-March 03 From: Mesa, AZ Member No.: 447 Region Association: Southwest Region 
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I did mine with 3/4 plywood and covered in in 20G steel (liquid nails to the wood) and wrapped the metal over the edges of the wood. I didn't do stainless, its a dry climate here and really dont have problems with rusting or whatever. Just take a scotchbrite wheel to it annually and it cleans up nice.
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| Jon H. |
Dec 20 2012, 04:25 PM
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#22
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Member Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 1-July 11 From: Ottawa, Canada Member No.: 13,264 Region Association: Canada |
I picked up used 5'x7' x 1/4 plate steel that I used for my top. I built the rest out of 2" x 1/4" angle. It's heavy and big but I don't have to worry about load limits. Plus it holds a lot of junk (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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| yp914 |
Dec 20 2012, 04:38 PM
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#23
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typ914 Group: Members Posts: 6 Joined: 27-October 12 From: Ga Member No.: 15,086 Region Association: South East States |
I agree a solid core wood door is the best table top. It will be flat and smooth. Strong enough to bolt a vice or to hammer metal on. Find a local commercial door company or installer and they might give you a damaged one or an old one. I have several doors and if you were local you could have one of these. When I had my shop I took a fire rated door and bolted a 1/8' steel plate to it and used it for a welding table!! Worked great!
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| scotty b |
Dec 20 2012, 04:38 PM
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#24
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rust free you say ? Group: Members Posts: 16,375 Joined: 7-January 05 From: richmond, Va. Member No.: 3,419 Region Association: None |
If you want to do a little elbow work, go to a local cabinet maker, get his scraps. Usually they are glad to get rid of them. Using a taable saw or planer, smooth down both edges ( most of the time they are goos to go ) and glue up. Finsh cut and top coat. That's all this butcher block I'm giving my parents for Christmas is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Freebies and elbow grease (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Offset each strip by 50% and you can make as large a top as you want (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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| Scott S |
Dec 20 2012, 05:19 PM
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#25
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Small Member Group: Members Posts: 1,698 Joined: 30-April 03 From: Colorado Member No.: 633 |
I used plywood, and then covered it with the peel and stick vinyl tiles. I have extras, so when one gets messed up, I just pop it off and replace it. They have worked really well for 5+ years.
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| zonedoubt |
Dec 20 2012, 05:48 PM
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#26
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Canadian Member Group: Members Posts: 668 Joined: 14-May 03 From: Vancouver, BC Member No.: 696 Region Association: Canada |
Salvaged kitchen laminate countertop. Mine has stood up nicely and cleans up well. I suppose it depends what you're doing on it.
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| strawman |
Dec 20 2012, 06:57 PM
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#27
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 891 Joined: 25-January 08 From: Los Osos, CA Member No.: 8,624 Region Association: Central California
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QUOTE(zonedoubt @ Dec 20 2012, 03:48 PM)  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. |
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| Tom |
Dec 20 2012, 07:19 PM
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#28
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,139 Joined: 21-August 05 From: Port Orchard, WA 98367 Member No.: 4,626 Region Association: None |
Here is a pic of my work area. Not as large as I would like, but is has been very useful. Two drawer sections with storage 0n the bottom and two tall storage sections on either side.Top is covered with with a 3/4 inch plywood top, and covered with floor tiles (one foot square with adhesive backing).
The back wall is peg board, with a shelf over it. Probably $200.00 to $250.00 invested. The larger double door storage is for the canned goods. Tom Edit: What a cluttered mess! I gotta clean that area up! Attached thumbnail(s) 
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| MDG |
Dec 20 2012, 07:20 PM
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#29
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Wolf in wolf's clothing. Group: Members Posts: 8,653 Joined: 3-February 09 From: Toronto Member No.: 10,018 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(scotty b @ Dec 20 2012, 05:38 PM) If you want to do a little elbow work, go to a local cabinet maker, get his scraps. Usually they are glad to get rid of them. Using a taable saw or planer, smooth down both edges ( most of the time they are goos to go ) and glue up. Finsh cut and top coat. That's all this butcher block I'm giving my parents for Christmas is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Freebies and elbow grease (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Offset each strip by 50% and you can make as large a top as you want (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Nice job! That looks great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif) |
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| URY914 |
Dec 20 2012, 07:25 PM
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#30
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I built the lightest 914 in the history of mankind. Group: Members Posts: 127,590 Joined: 3-February 03 From: Jacksonville, FL Member No.: 222 Region Association: None |
Here is a shot off my vise mounted on my hollow metal door....
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| URY914 |
Dec 20 2012, 07:26 PM
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#31
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I built the lightest 914 in the history of mankind. Group: Members Posts: 127,590 Joined: 3-February 03 From: Jacksonville, FL Member No.: 222 Region Association: None |
And my grinder mounted my solid core door OAK .....
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| 914outlaw |
Dec 20 2012, 07:27 PM
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#32
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Dave Group: Members Posts: 202 Joined: 2-June 10 From: Central, NJ Member No.: 11,800 Region Association: North East States
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QUOTE(stugray @ Dec 20 2012, 02:36 PM) I was going to sugget the hollow metal door also - Good suggestion Gint ;-);-) They work good for welding (magnets stick to them), and they are predrilled for hinges. Screw the hinges to the wall, and your work bench can fold flat against the wall. just add folding legs. Stu "Screw the hinges to the wall, and your work bench can fold flat against the wall. just add folding legs." Good Idea. I think I'm going to try that. |
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| URY914 |
Dec 20 2012, 07:28 PM
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#33
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I built the lightest 914 in the history of mankind. Group: Members Posts: 127,590 Joined: 3-February 03 From: Jacksonville, FL Member No.: 222 Region Association: None |
Drill press is on a peice of plastic laminate counter top.....
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| URY914 |
Dec 20 2012, 07:30 PM
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#34
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I built the lightest 914 in the history of mankind. Group: Members Posts: 127,590 Joined: 3-February 03 From: Jacksonville, FL Member No.: 222 Region Association: None |
Working as a project manager for a construction company has some advantages. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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| 914outlaw |
Dec 20 2012, 07:43 PM
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#35
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Dave Group: Members Posts: 202 Joined: 2-June 10 From: Central, NJ Member No.: 11,800 Region Association: North East States
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QUOTE(jfort @ Dec 20 2012, 12:47 PM) 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? Check this one out. I was thinking of getting this one because you can fold it when not in use. Easy on the wallet too. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-20...51#.UNO9Ym_cu1Q |
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| scotty b |
Dec 20 2012, 08:00 PM
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#36
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rust free you say ? Group: Members Posts: 16,375 Joined: 7-January 05 From: richmond, Va. Member No.: 3,419 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(MDG @ Dec 20 2012, 05:20 PM) QUOTE(scotty b @ Dec 20 2012, 05:38 PM) If you want to do a little elbow work, go to a local cabinet maker, get his scraps. Usually they are glad to get rid of them. Using a taable saw or planer, smooth down both edges ( most of the time they are goos to go ) and glue up. Finsh cut and top coat. That's all this butcher block I'm giving my parents for Christmas is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Freebies and elbow grease (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Offset each strip by 50% and you can make as large a top as you want (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Nice job! That looks great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif) kissass (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) |
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| bigkensteele |
Dec 20 2012, 08:07 PM
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#37
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Major Member Group: Members Posts: 2,200 Joined: 30-August 04 From: Cincinnati, OH Member No.: 2,660 Region Association: South East States
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| oldschool |
Dec 20 2012, 08:55 PM
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#38
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,374 Joined: 29-October 08 From: P-town Member No.: 9,705 Region Association: Southern California |
Found this old kitchen table on the side of a road..I tried to give this thing away, I also thought is would make a nice work bench....So I just put it in my garage.
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| euro911 |
Dec 20 2012, 09:04 PM
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#39
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Retired & living the dream. God help me if I wake up! Group: Members Posts: 8,912 Joined: 2-December 06 From: So.Cal. & No.AZ (USA) Member No.: 7,300 Region Association: Southern California
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This is a freebie I picked up from one of Joe Sharp's neighbors earlier this year (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
 4x4 legs, 1x4 rails and 1" particle board top. I added a shelf on top of the lower rails and wheels to move it about. I may cover the top with a sheet of galvanized steel at some point (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) This is a second work bench ... my garage is so cluttered, I can't even get to the work bench in there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) The price was right (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
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| Gint |
Dec 20 2012, 11:16 PM
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#40
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Mike Ginter Group: Admin Posts: 16,098 Joined: 26-December 02 From: Denver CO. Member No.: 20 Region Association: Rocky Mountains  |
QUOTE(URY914 @ Dec 20 2012, 12:24 PM) QUOTE(DBCooper @ Dec 20 2012, 11:44 AM) Gint's solid core door suggestion is a good one, Yea, great idea Gint! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) LOL!!!!! I saw that right away. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) Great minds think alike. I made my bench 15 years ago. Put a solid core door on top of it. And on top of that I put 1/4" hardboard, with screws here and there, countersunk. Nice and smooth and if it ever gets all stained or shit'd up, I can just replace the hardboard top. Haven't had to do it yet. And this thing is a ROCK! Sliders on the front. 3/4' MDF on the bottom, peg board sides and back.  |
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