Workbench - To finish or leave as is

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Simonpiemon

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New to this forum and woodworking so go easy on me!

Recently acquired a vintage school workbech with some pretty handy foldover tops, which I've added legs to.

As things stand the whole thing is a bit mismatched and leaving me with a few options.

I'd love to keep it's patina, all the cuts, scrapes, paint splash etc. Question is am I best putting something like a Danish Oil over the whole bottom and worktop to try and match up the colours better and give me some protection? I don't want it to loose its character! Or best trying to match the top section with the folding bits to the base?

The bench will be used for general use.

Thanks!
 

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I wouldn't worry about it as long as it's solid and functional as it appears to be, I do give mine the odd coat of Danish oil which keeps it in reasonable condition but it's not really essential. I think the oil feeds the wood and does help to get stuff off if you have a spill but it's a wokrbench for making stuff on!

Think of all those kids hacking on it in a past life while you're using the bench and it will bring a smile to your face.
 
I also have one of these, I bought it at an auction some 15 years ago for £45. It is a rock solid lump and has done me well over the years. I am planning to build a more modern MFT type bench for general light use but I will keep the old bench for anything that needs serious bashing. It is understandably too low for me so I have it on seated on two 4x4 cross beams; although this means I can't easily move it out of the way so it will go against a wall. I did consider trying to level the beech top but it is too deeply marked by cack-handed youths of yesteryear.

If you want to retain your top then you could make a removeable MFT top which would also help increase the height. I was thinking of a Paulk type table top

1614690882082.png


You can buy MDF or Birch ply MFT tops from CNC Designs

hope this is useful
 
I use linseed oil on a beech bench top becuase it prevents any glue droppings from sticking, it looks good, I like the smell of it, I like the feel of it on my hands, it reminds me of rolling putty as a child many years ago.
 
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