Just built a workbench - finish the plywood top?

[DarkFlounder]

After too many years of using the tailgate, garage floor or the washing machine (wife was NOT happy after that) as a workbench, I finally moved enough stuff out of the garage and built a proper workbench!

The top is 3/4inch red oak sanded plywood. I fully understand that it's going to get banged up, dinged, scratched and otherwise used, that's what it's for. However, I'd like to finish it with something to at least prevent the variety of fluids present in my truck from soaking into it.

Tung oil in multiple coats seems to be the best answer. Any other opinions?

[tinydb84]

Hello from San Jose.

I built a workbench after YEARS of using a small section of fence in my front yard (you should see how tore up it is). If you haven't built it completely yet I would recommend building it way taller than you think you need it. I built mine very tall (I am 6'1'') but it is way easier on my back and neck.

Anyway back to your question. I thought about the same thing. I ended up building a bench and a table. The bench is covered in plywood that is nice but not too expensive. My plan is what when it gets too beat up I take it off and screw down a fresh piece. I ended up making a much smaller table out of 5/8 steel plate that I can move around and weld on. Plus all the spills can be wiped right off.

Just my two cents.

[DarkFlounder]

I'm 6'2" and I put a lot of thought into how tall it needed to be. The top is at 40", which (so far) seems to be a comfortable height. If I need to increase the height, I can always flip the table on its side and screw blocks to the bottom of the legs. It's also 3' deep, so I can easily reach the center of the bench with no uncomfortable stretching.

I'm mostly interested in keeping various fluids (brake, power steering, trans, blood, urine) from soaking into the plywood too much.

Good idea regarding the welding table. I plan on learning how to weld in the coming year and setting the bench on fire won't make the wife terribly happy.

[tinydb84]

If you don't want to replace the wood. I would go get a think piece of sheet metal to screw down over the top or go to a plastic supply company and get some cutting board material to put over the top.

As for stains or protective coatings I am of no help.

[slowcpe]

I built (2) workbenches for my garage. One is standard height so I could sit on a stool and work and the other is just above waist height for me (I'm 6'5"). I laid them out in an "L" shape. Both serve their purpose well. I didn't do anything to the plywood and so far they're holding up well. Only problem is cleaning it as its so coarse so I usually use a vacuum.

[_Ogre]

1/4 inch steel is the best thing for finishing out the top of your work bench
nothing will seal plywood from sucking motor oil

[motornut]

A friend of mine put steel over the wood bench works great.
we've made plenty of messes spills on it,and yes the oils don't soak in to steel.
thinking I may cover my 3/4 inch ply garage bench in the spring,
I ask at the lumber yard for the damaged pile.
usally ones with strap marks etc are half price

[Keith Seymore]

My dad - God rest his soul - was a mechanical genius but not so good at organization (an understatement on both counts).

When he passed away I started cleaning out his back garage. There was a path from the door to the workbench, with stuff piled up on either side. I cleared the top of the workbench and - to my surprise - it was beautiful!!

It was a 2x6 construction, but covered with piece of "beaverboard" polished to a sheen. Angle aluminum was beveled and covered the edges, secured with countersunk phillips head screws.

He had always kept it covered with a piece of cardboard and then parts piled on top of that. In 36 years I had never seen the top of that workbench.

You can see the "before" condition there in front of the car.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by motornut

A friend of mine put steel over the wood bench works great.
we've made plenty of messes spills on it,and yes the oils don't soak in to steel.

I have steel on the top of mine, too.

I have holes drilled through the wooden top to facilitate transmission rebuilds (the shafts stick down through the various holes which allows the clutch/clutch packs to sit flush on the workbench).

A piece of stainless sheetstock covers the holes when not in use and provides a nice flat, level, clean surface for detail work.

K

[kcsa75]

When I built my bench, I got a sheet of what we call hardboard in this part of the country. It's 1/4-inch thick and I attached to the top with sheet metal screws. Then got some 1x2 red oak and framed the whole top.

It's been on there for about five years now, but when the hardboard gets beat up, I can just replace it with new.

[Wingnut1]

You could use polyurethane with or without stain to coat it. I have done that before and it works well. Not sure how it will hold up to Urine, gasoline or paint thinner but grease and oil wipe off. Use 2 or 3 coats and sand or rub with steel wool between coats.

Surprised no one else mentioned it, but WTF why are you concerned about urine, Just checking to see who reads every word?

Originally Posted by DarkFlounder

I'm mostly interested in keeping various fluids (brake, power steering, trans, blood, urine) from soaking into the plywood too much.

Plan on changing diapers in your shop??

Oh, maybe you know, but if you use tung oil watch out for spontaneous combustion of the rags.

[JointTech]

i got some pourable epoxy from home depot. Its not cheap at $25 a bottle but It creates a big thick coating. I used it on a table I made for the wife. I ended up using 2 bottles and the coat is about 1/4" thick.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleu...-202056337-_-N

[tinydb84]

That is a nice table!

[JointTech]

thanks. Its just a bunch of el cheapo 2x4s glued together on a metal frame I welded up.

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

[QUOTE=_Ogre;6990117
nothing will seal plywood from sucking motor oil[/QUOTE]

And that's exactly what I used....soak it in used motor oil over a week-end, wipe up the excess and call it done. After you beat the crap out of it for a few years, rip it off, recover and repeat.

[dirtyjim]

I use Masonite to cover my workbench. I'll also suggest a removable front trim piece to keep small parts from rolling or sliding off.

[muleys67]

1/4" hardboard is fairly cheap to replace when needed. one side is slick the other has a textured surface. Somewhere I have a woodworking mag that says a benchtop should come to the wrist for assembly no matter how tall you are. Stand up straight, measure from wrist to floor. My bench is a little too tall and Im 6 1. Made the bench before I got that info.

[Dismas]

I also topped my bench with 3/4" plywood, and then just used some spare housepaint to seal it.

Not worried about it being pretty, just wanted it sealed from fluids, and to keep it from drying and producing splinters for my wimpy hands to collect

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I like the rustoleum paint that comes in the one gallon cans. The oil base helps with the woods longevity, and wipes down nice. Doesn't do so well with gas spills, but besides steel what will.