Thread: Laminated Plywood Bench Top

I've done analog B&W photography for 50+ years. My darkroom bench is built as you propose. Not certain how "bash-worthy the top is.
BUT,
a) I don't believe that you can apply pressure to get all of it stuck down evenly. So just use the screws.
b) the "bounce" in the ply top might be reduced with a very strong supporting frame and screw the ply into the frame.

My current do-all bench top is made of 2x6, edge-glued with bathtub silicone. As I'm wood carving, I don't need a true flat top. Hindsight says I have hit that bench very hard on occasion, it can take the gaff.

Originally Posted by Redbeard

I know, I know....

This is never going to be a grand, glamorous bench, BUT, using this bench I'll be able to build a much better one.

You've gotta start somewhere.

I've decided to make the top out of two sheets of 19mm plywood, laminated together. Should be nice and heavy and if I bugger it up, zip it off and drop on a new one.

Question.

Do I need to use glue and screws to laminate the two sheets together or will just screws work (if enough are used)? The absence of glue would allow me to separate the two sheets in the event of the aforementioned buggering up.

I'm thinking, start with screws on a nominal 200mm grid (the top is 1600 x 600) and if it's drummy, come back and put in another set of screws at 100mm crs.

Your thoughts?

Thanks
Redbeard

Is there any reason that you could not laminate up 2x4's with the "4" sides glued up ? Given that you can buy recycled Jarrah and Pine from demo yards for next to nothing

If you want some ideas what I mean look at my beach https://www.woodworkforums.com/f213/k...ch-wip-155730/ It did not end up being a solid core door top, but laminated Douglas Fir top with a sacrificial ply top I am happy with the results

Kat.

Hay RedBeard,

You've just described my workbench. I used 2 sheets 8x4 plywood and just screwed them together and flipped it over. Been using the same one now for nearly 3 years and hasn't let me down yet.

Although at the moment, its covered with rough sketches, measurements written all over it, saw marks, paint marks, screw holes....

Come to think of it, as I'm writing this, I'm really starting to think that its time to replace it
Dave.

It is not going to be as good as glued but will likely do for a while. Your reason for screws allowing you to seperate it will also allow you to glue it later if you feel like it.
Regards
John

Thanks guys.

Kat - Living on the Sunshine Coast, I don't have the great amount of choice in demo yards and my local one has a very good selection of second hand windows and doors but not much timber. Having said that, all the timber for the frame did come from there but there's nothing much like you describe. Also, I'm getting impatient. I'm recovering from a broken arm which has slowed me down and left my right arm as weak as a limp noodle. The work in reclaiming used timber is a bit beyond me at the moment. Maybe next time.

Robson, Dave, John - I think I'm going to give the screws only route a go. As suggested, if it's not good enough, I'll zip it off and add glue.

Thanks again folks.

Cheers
Redbeard

Go ahead and put some glue along the screw lines, won't hurt anything. Some people "need" to have the entire surface 'A' glued to surface 'B'. Two sheets of plywood is a tall order. I have dozens of 2" x 2" x 16" steel in my shop but I do not believe that the effort will be worth it in the end.

ansleyd: yeah, think about it but don't do anything rash. My benchtop is a means to an end = it is the product of that bench top which is all that matters.

Originally Posted by Redbeard

Thanks guys.

Kat - Living on the Sunshine Coast, I don't have the great amount of choice in demo yards and my local one has a very good selection of second hand windows and doors but not much timber. Having said that, all the timber for the frame did come from there but there's nothing much like you describe. Also, I'm getting impatient. I'm recovering from a broken arm which has slowed me down and left my right arm as weak as a limp noodle. The work in reclaiming used timber is a bit beyond me at the moment. Maybe next time.

Cheers
Redbeard

Very Sorry to hear that you are not 100%, hope you get back to normal real soon so you can enjoy this fine hobby
In WA metro the Salvage yards are not as good as they used to be I hear the ones in NSW and Vic are a lot better (May have to move

Kat.