View Full Version : Durable finish for workbench top
I'm putting the finishing touches on a workbench I've built from scrap pine that's been lying around in the workshop. Understanding that its going get beat up more than a hardwood top, is there a good durable finish that can be applied to at least help reduce the wear? thanks
MadMark
01-02-2001, 10:47 AM
Many use a thin sheet of Masonite hardboard as a protection. However it can be too slick for some uses. Others find it too dark.
Having a "soft" top bench is not a bad thing. You don't want a top so hard that it'll ding your projects. Better that the bench takes the hit instead of the project.
M
rrich
01-03-2001, 01:28 AM
Once I moved into the third house built in a new subdivision. (It was sort of like living in a lumber yard.) I built a work bench out of 2x4 and a sheet of 3/4" CDX. I used the router to round the edges of the plywood and used some sort of poly varnish. 30 years and three houses later it is still going strong and never been refinished.
Rich
I use masonite on all my benches, cheap to replace. And being dark has never been a problem.....with adequate lighting.
But for the bench itself, this is where a few coats of poly would be acceptable.