Thread: Woodworking Bench with laminated panels of different materials?

2x18mm ply wil give you a great bench top, If you want to go OTT then 3 x 18 mm.

As BobL said DaveVman 2 x 18mm ply and masonite on top of that to protect the top which you can then replace easily when it gets messed up.
Fit it by edging the sheets of ply which would make it look better anyway and leave a lip all round the top to the same depth as the masonite so it can just drop into the recess and be easily removed and replaced when needed. One sheet of ply split down the middle would be more than enough for a good sized bench top.

Chers mate,
Ian

If you are not in a hurry you can pick up some bed frames from the hard garbage collection. That's what I ended up doing and that took up about a year. There is still a fair amount of cleaning up to get the varnish and stains off ready for the glue up.

That is a clever idea. I don't have a trailer and I could buy a jointer for the cost of a trailer although I'm starting to get the impression that a trailer is another required tool.

Another vote for 18mm ply here. Mine is the bunnings formply 1 x 2400x600 sheet $30 odd brought home on roof racks. No trailer required. Even two sheets of 1200 x 600 would do if you biscuit join or dowel the joint and have a supporting frame. I made my frame nicholson style with ladder like supports underneath and locate dog holes over those supports. Its solid and intended it to last but the top is easily replaceable. In fact i'd probably just add a layer of form ply on top.
If you double up ply as a top just screw them together it will be far easier to replace.

What price have you been quoted on pine?

I was getting 200x25 DAR Hoop for $10.04 per lineal meter, and that was the top of the line stuff in their largest size. When you are willing to accept a knot here and there the price goes down. It's also cheaper when you get it in narrower widths.

Is that still prohibitively expensive? The place was the Sandgate Timber Mill just up M1.

I'd be careful with particle board in Brisbane. It doesn't like moist climate. It'll last a while as long as it doesn't get direct water contact, but it still degrades faster.

Just something to think about.

Cheers,
Luke

Do you gents have solid core wood doors? Usually a particle board core with plywood or hardboard faces. Here they can be had at discount door places and from building recyclers at times. Glue and screw a couple together if you want it thick and brutally heavy. Relatively cheap and good enough to get going on until you have the tools and skills to make something better.

Pete

Bunnings sells a 30mm plywood piece (2250 x 600) for $59. I doubt you could improve on that for the money. The stock number is 0390218.

They also sell solid wood (admittedly of odd lengths) 30mm tops made from Karri (8330042) and "pine" -- of unknown type -- (0290007) for $99.

There is also an Acacia top of 26mm thickness (8330032) for $99. This top is 2200 x 600.

I did some research for some non-main woodwork bench tops. I kept the research.

Hope that helps.

Mark is on the money, for my money

A 2x4 frame, the 30mm slab of ply on it and you've got a servicable start.

That way you can get to work building things. The next bench should be your keeper, not this first one.

And don't go overboard even then. I built mine out of 2x4 offcuts from Bunnings and am stoked with it, and that was my second after a simple one of steel tubing and oregon fascia timber i started with (a mate snaffled that real quick as HIS first bench)

Keep it simple for now

70x35 framing timber for the frame. Make it a torsion box and 30mm ply ontop or 2 sheets of 15,16, or 18mm ply.
Revolution plywood st brendale were ok for price.

I got 15mm ply for $45 a sheet from coopers plains a mob called decking wood.

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