brightspark
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i have a Formica topped bench it came from a butchers
- Thread starter The Z'eer
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brightspark
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you would have to have wings to beat the scrotes to them
Onoff
In the land of the unfinished project I am King!
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you would have to have wings to beat the scrotes to them
Not round here, they're ten a penny in the lay-bys. Fly tipper's heaven! Every now and then the council will have a tidy up.
That reminds me, I saw an abandoned microwave the other day I must go back for...
Screwdriver
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I just use time. After a while the veneer develops a patina, typically a cocktail of WD40, petrol, oil and whatever else might get spilled on the bench. My current naked plywood bench top has been used for at least ten years and has no noticable damage. Certainly nothing that would have benefitted from a varnish.
By sheer coincidence, I am making up some "upcycled" drawer units and the client likes the raw used look of it. So I have just been experimenting with Danish oil/white spirit etc.
Would have been much easier to blast it with paint but other than the effort of tidying up all the urethane spillover and edge banding the ply tops, it actually looks quite nice. Even the MDF seems to like a thin coat of Danish. Will also test some linseed oil which I think is pretty much the same thing and rub it down with a beeswax polish to finish.
Any of those sorts of treatments will be fine for a workbench because they will make you go over it with a sander, it helps prevent minor splintering and can be reapplied whenever you feel like it (i.e. never in my case!).
By sheer coincidence, I am making up some "upcycled" drawer units and the client likes the raw used look of it. So I have just been experimenting with Danish oil/white spirit etc.
Would have been much easier to blast it with paint but other than the effort of tidying up all the urethane spillover and edge banding the ply tops, it actually looks quite nice. Even the MDF seems to like a thin coat of Danish. Will also test some linseed oil which I think is pretty much the same thing and rub it down with a beeswax polish to finish.
Any of those sorts of treatments will be fine for a workbench because they will make you go over it with a sander, it helps prevent minor splintering and can be reapplied whenever you feel like it (i.e. never in my case!).
I have plain old mild steel bench tops - they were painted with machine enamel, but most of it has vanished with the benches being used. They haven't gone rusty.
I'd be worried about having a wood surface near to welding - especially one coated in paint, varnish, oil, etc - seem to me to be perfect fire starters from a few hot sparks landing on them.
I'd have kittens welding in some of the places that get pictured on here - wood, dust, old chairs, cardboard, rags . . . all look to be a disaster waiting to happen to me. Even without all that around me, I still go back in a while after welding just to check there is nothing quietly smoldering in the corner.
I'd be worried about having a wood surface near to welding - especially one coated in paint, varnish, oil, etc - seem to me to be perfect fire starters from a few hot sparks landing on them.
I'd have kittens welding in some of the places that get pictured on here - wood, dust, old chairs, cardboard, rags . . . all look to be a disaster waiting to happen to me. Even without all that around me, I still go back in a while after welding just to check there is nothing quietly smoldering in the corner.
Bobupndown
What could possibly go wrong?
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My bench has 40mm scaffold planks as the top surface. They were new and varnished at the start of this year. A bit of welding, grinding and oily bits and pieces on it and it's starting to get some 'patina'. Plan to get a sheet of 2mm steel to cover it, hadn't thought of galvanised but am now!
brightspark
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same here after grinding because a rag was smoldering once and i fortunately saw it 12 minutes lately . i watch where the sparks go now and when welding check the bottom of my trouser legs make sure there not on fire
Alan Reynolds
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Can you still get that really thick linoleum? I’ve had my bench covered in a piece of that for over 40 years and it’s still in good nick. I would love to cover the benches in my new workshop with the same stuff.
Alan Reynolds
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That’s made my mind up. I’ve been toying with using scaffold boards for a woodwork bench I’m making and yours looks like just what I’m after. Timber is so expensive at the moment.
northwest
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Linoleum, though someone has got there first. A very good suggestion.
Yes, just be prepared to hunt an offcut down and brace yourself at the cost. But will last a lifetime.
Onoff
In the land of the unfinished project I am King!
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Tidy envy!
eLuSiVeMiTe
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Yup I've always left em as is and made sure there easily replaceableI just use time. After a while the veneer develops a patina, typically a cocktail of WD40, petrol, oil and whatever else might get spilled on the bench. My current naked plywood bench top has been used for at least ten years and has no noticable damage. Certainly nothing that would have benefitted from a varnish.
By sheer coincidence, I am making up some "upcycled" drawer units and the client likes the raw used look of it. So I have just been experimenting with Danish oil/white spirit etc.
Would have been much easier to blast it with paint but other than the effort of tidying up all the urethane spillover and edge banding the ply tops, it actually looks quite nice. Even the MDF seems to like a thin coat of Danish. Will also test some linseed oil which I think is pretty much the same thing and rub it down with a beeswax polish to finish.
Any of those sorts of treatments will be fine for a workbench because they will make you go over it with a sander, it helps prevent minor splintering and can be reapplied whenever you feel like it (i.e. never in my case!).
Bobupndown
What could possibly go wrong?
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It was only just finished in that picture, not looking so pristine now!
The Z'eer
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Yeah, I think a piece of thick linoleum will suffice well.
cheaper than the steel for sure
The Z'eer
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Just gotta mount the ancillaries and it’s done…
I used yacht varnish for the lower shelf and polyurethane on the top, both gloss for practicality of cleaning. It’s a first attempt at producing a bench, it’s turned out ok, very flat and relatively plumb.
I used yacht varnish for the lower shelf and polyurethane on the top, both gloss for practicality of cleaning. It’s a first attempt at producing a bench, it’s turned out ok, very flat and relatively plumb.
Arc Tourist
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Nice build there.
Consider turning the wheel lock tabs under the bench, to save your toes from agony in the future.
The Z'eer
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ThanksNice build there.
Consider turning the wheel lock tabs under the bench, to save your toes from agony in the future.
Steel toe capped boots when I'm out there, it's at the end of the garden and so the likes of slippers or socks ain't really feasible.
slim_boy_fat
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