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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Netherlands
    Age
    52
    Posts
    63

    Default Building My ultimate workbench!

    Hi Everyone,

    It has been a while that I post something.

    But I finally finish my workbench / router table and I think it looks awesome!
    I made a video about it and this is part 1.

    I hope you like it and find it interesting.



    Stay safe everyone.

    Dennis

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Millmerran,QLD
    Age
    73
    Posts
    11,095

    Default

    Dennis

    I have only watched the first two or three minutes (I will get back to it later) but it looks fantastic. Very well done.

    Regards
    Paul
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Hobart
    Posts
    5,105

    Default Penultimate Assembly Bench

    Hi Denis

    I made an ultimate assembly bench with a holey top and apron similar to yours, but never thought to incorporate a router table into it. Now I suspect it will become my penultimate bench! [As have all the others!] Or maybe it will grow a router insert?

    For stiffness and availability, I used standard 25mm MDF for the table top. I note that you used a grey sheet material and on your website you say "... My tabletop is made of Full colored MDF. This is not comparable to standard MDF. ..." How does this differ from standard MDF?

    Cheers


    Graeme

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Hunter Valley
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,342

    Default

    Good to see you posting again Dennis, I did see this pop up in my feed this evening.

    Saving this for viewing tomorrow, but your workbench has always been a source of interest, and inspiration for me as I am currently refitting my shed, and will then move on to building quite a bit of shop furniture.

    Thank you for sharing this with us!

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Netherlands
    Age
    52
    Posts
    63

    Default Full Colored MDF

    Hi craeme,

    Full colored MDF is a bit like Valchromat. Only a lot cheaper in our country.

    It has a higher density than MDF. It weight more because of that. Also the sides are much nicer and when you sand them, it is almost the same as the top.
    I think it Is a very nice product for a Bench Top. Probably not the best from a technical point of view, but I like the looks very much.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Hobart
    Posts
    5,105

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Hooked on Wood View Post
    Hi craeme,

    Full colored MDF is a bit like Valchromat. Only a lot cheaper in our country.

    It has a higher density than MDF. It weight more because of that. Also the sides are much nicer and when you sand them, it is almost the same as the top.
    I think it Is a very nice product for a Bench Top. Probably not the best from a technical point of view, but I like the looks very much.

    Thanks Dennis

    Was totally unaware of these products and did a bit of googling. It seems that there are three similar/competing products available in Australia:
    • Valchromat,
    • Forescolor, and
    • Ventech (black colour only)

    Unfortunately, I was not able to get any indicative prices, and I could not find a supplier within 600 kms of here - Australia is a little bigger than the Netherlands!

    Nevertheless, I have learned something new. Thank you.

    My present assembly benches have absorbed every possible stain and now look rather daggy. Still functional, but unattractive.

    Australia based members: Has anyone any experience with the above mentioned products? Does what is available here bear out Dennis's comments? Prices? Suppliers?


    Best Wishes

    Graeme

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    31

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by GraemeCook View Post
    Thanks Dennis

    Was totally unaware of these products and did a bit of googling. It seems that there are three similar/competing products available in Australia:
    • Valchromat,
    • Forescolor, and
    • Ventech (black colour only)

    Unfortunately, I was not able to get any indicative prices, and I could not find a supplier within 600 kms of here - Australia is a little bigger than the Netherlands!

    Nevertheless, I have learned something new. Thank you.

    My present assembly benches have absorbed every possible stain and now look rather daggy. Still functional, but unattractive.

    Australia based members: Has anyone any experience with the above mentioned products? Does what is available here bear out Dennis's comments? Prices? Suppliers?


    Best Wishes

    Graeme
    I did some calling around about valchromat and forescolor in Sydney today after watching Dennis's video.

    Valchromat is distributed by CSR / Himmel here in Australia and will cost you $168 + GST for a sheet of 2440 X 1220 X 12mm in black. It costs more for other colours and thicknesses.

    I'm still waiting on the Sydney supplier of forescolor to get back to me.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    9

    Default

    For Perth based members - Forescolor is available at Worldwide Timber Traders. They will deliver...for a fee.

    1220 x 2440 x 18 mm = approx $110 (Black)
    1220 x 2440 x 12 mm = approx $90 (Grey/Light Grey)

    I didn't check 5mm sheet prices. I think they have stock in a number of colors in 5mm thickness.

    They mentioned an upcoming price rise, so prices may have gone up a small amount.

    I bought some 18mm to try. I haven't used it yet, so can't really comment on how good it is.

    Regards to all.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    31

    Default

    Well your Perth prices are better than the Sydney prices for Forescolor.

    All sheets 2440 X 1220

    9mm
    Black - $130 Inc GST
    Other colours - $140

    12mm
    Black - $155

    18mm
    Black - $239
    Other colours - $ 260

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    31

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Eagle89 View Post
    For Perth based members - Forescolor is available at Worldwide Timber Traders. They will deliver...for a fee.

    1220 x 2440 x 18 mm = approx $110 (Black)
    1220 x 2440 x 12 mm = approx $90 (Grey/Light Grey)

    I didn't check 5mm sheet prices. I think they have stock in a number of colors in 5mm thickness.

    They mentioned an upcoming price rise, so prices may have gone up a small amount.

    I bought some 18mm to try. I haven't used it yet, so can't really comment on how good it is.

    Regards to all.
    I'd be interested to hear how you go with it, and what you think vs MDF from the big green shed.

    Noting Big green MDF seems significantly cheaper.

    I think the production and finish value of forescolor and velchromat is much nicer though. Do they also have significantly less formaldehyde?

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    9

    Default

    Yes, supposedly much less formaldehyde, and better moisture resistance.

    Imho, it certainly looks and feels better, on both surface and edge, so I am quite looking forward to seeing how it goes.

    Just have to sort some other stuff out first, but will then start using some, and will report back. Hopefully, next week.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    9

    Default

    Further to my first post re prices, just checked again after your post, and the prices I quoted didn't include GST, so a bit more expensive, but still quite reasonable compared to Sydney.
    Quite unusual, because normally we get hit with a premium over here on most goods.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Netherlands
    Age
    52
    Posts
    63

    Default WOW, that is expansive

    Well guys,

    Sorry to read that this material is so expansive in your country. I know that the black MDF I have comes from Portugal, same as Valchromat. Perhaps shipping cost make it so expansive.
    I love the material very much but this is mainly because of its looks. It works perfectly as a material, but I did it for the looks.

    If I would compare it to other MDF I think you can compare it to Medite V313 MDF in terms of weight and. density. So that is much more affordable, but does not have the appearance like Black MDF.

    Thanks

    Dennis

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    31

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Hooked on Wood View Post
    Well guys,

    Sorry to read that this material is so expansive in your country. I know that the black MDF I have comes from Portugal, same as Valchromat. Perhaps shipping cost make it so expansive.
    I love the material very much but this is mainly because of its looks. It works perfectly as a material, but I did it for the looks.

    If I would compare it to other MDF I think you can compare it to Medite V313 MDF in terms of weight and. density. So that is much more affordable, but does not have the appearance like Black MDF.

    Thanks

    Dennis
    Thanks Dennis, not your fault at all! You've got to use what is readily available to you, and unfortunately in Australia we don't seem to have taken up HMR MDF products as a common thing yet.

    That being said if the aesthetic is what we are aiming for, maybe it justifies the cost.

    I'm pretty keen to build your awesome looking zero clearance insert - looks really great in that grey as well!

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2021
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    1

    Default

    Did anyone manage to find a retailer in NSW ?
    I could only find Modinex in Qld, an 19mm sheet is around $154, but the delivery is another $385.
    I also tried Medite (sold as Tricoya) - I did find a NSW supplier, but it still costs a mint - $769.85 (18mm sheet delivered).

    It looks like the only viable option is to use plain Jane MDF, did anyone find a better alternative, in NSW, for under $300 ?
    Anyone tried plain MDF ?

    Thanks
    Andrew

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