Workbench top

[Baldhead]

I am making a woodworking bench using 4x2 CLS timber for the legs/frame and the top will be 3/4 ply topped with either hardboard or 1/4 MDF. Would it be ok to attach the sacrificial top to the ply using double sided tape? and which would be the best, hardboard or MDF?

I know this is being made 'on the cheap' but funds are very tight at the moment.

BH

 

[marcros]

sounds like a good idea.

I would go with the mdf. Hardboard would do just as well, but it seems more difficult to get the decent thick stuff these days.

 

[barkwindjammer]

+1 for MDF, and a liberal coating of
http://www.axminster.co.uk/chestnut-che ... prod21182/

 

[AndyT]

If I were doing the same I would make and fix the ply top then trim the sacrificial layer to the same size. I'd then frame the whole top with softwood lipping, fixing it by screwing through into the edges of the plywood. The top layer would be held in place by the lipping. That way, when it does get worn you could turn the top layer over and use the other side. If you taped it I think you'd end up breaking it in bits to get it off again.

 

[monkeybiter]

My bench is an old heavy duty rough timber beast, I have flattened the top then added 19mm ply 'lipped' with 50x50mm builders pine mitred at the corners. Originally it was lipped on four sides, but as my workshop has changed the bench has been chopped down from the original 42"x7' to approx 2'x6'6", with the top being trimmed on only two sides, so only lipped across the front edge and one end.
Now I'm not claiming to be a good or experienced practitioner, but the bench gets plenty of use and the top never budges.

FWIW I remember Norm resurfacing a bench using Masonite, which is hardboard, with a tough surface and very cheap.

 

[baldpate]

I believe Masonite is an oil-tempered hardboard, which is not so easy to come by (particularly in the 6mm thickness) as the normal hardboard, which is sold just about everywhere.

 

[Dangermouse]

If your around Plymouth you can get 1/4 inch tempered hardboard easily from Totem Timber
http://www.totemtimber.co.uk/product/Oi ... x1220x64mm
I don't know its availability elsewhere.

 

[Baldhead]

Thanks for all your help guys, I like the idea of MDF lipped to hide the joint, however I have found some 12mm ply which has a very nice face finish, whatever I decide to use I will do some WIP pics.

Cheers

BH