# Selecting material for workbench surface **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [September 27, 2013, 5:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023 "2013-09-27T05:42:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![slo\_ride](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@slo\_ride](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/slo_ride)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 5:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/21 "2013-09-27T17:14:49Z")
I use 3/4" MDF and when it gets too messed up I unscrew it and flip it over. it’s relatively cheap and stays pretty flat. I like the fact that you can easily screw into or bolt something to wood. I often find myself making jigs or glue things together and it’s sometimes easier to just screw it down than try to get a clamp in it ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 6:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/22 "2013-11-11T06:11:24Z")
Bump. Mike (lightemup on here) and I built a “workbench” yesterday for my shop. It’s not as fancy or durable as some but for the price I couldn’t go wrong. The countertop (8ft) was from Bargain Outlet in NT for $80 bucks. The plywood was $9 bucks and I got all the 2x4’s for free. For what I will be using it for it’ll work great plus was super cheap. Mike was nice enough to supply the screws and tools to make this happen, thanks again! ![http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af352/italiano1390/B4582568-111A-4257-AC1E-7B0EB0DC23BB-842-0000004D432132A7_zps46ea46bc.jpg](http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af352/italiano1390/B4582568-111A-4257-AC1E-7B0EB0DC23BB-842-0000004D432132A7_zps46ea46bc.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 6:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/23 "2013-11-11T06:15:18Z")
Cool shit. I will probably be building one in the upcoming weeks since I have some automotive related work to get done and no place to organize things. Garage is still a total mess, but I did manage to fit the car inside. I spy a Miata motor… ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 8:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/24 "2013-11-11T08:24:18Z")
When I constructed the ones I have in my shop I built it out of 2x4s, MDF for a subsurface and then mild steel for the top. In the 10 years I have had them they have never surface rusted. Maybe if you left water on the top but I also rubbed them down with a nice layer of automatic transmission fluid on a cloth when first built. Have yet to rust in 10 years. ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 10:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/25 "2013-11-11T10:04:52Z")
I’m really liking the used laminate counter top I got for free from a friend who updated his kitchen. even has the sink in it that I need to plumb. ---
**Author:** ![Shifty](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shifty/32/4959_2.png) [@Shifty](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shifty)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 10:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/26 "2013-11-11T10:24:16Z")
> [@GV1390](#): > > We need more people like this guy in our community! > > +1 Doing good deeds. Thanks! > [@tpgsr](#): > > He really is a great guy. Thanks! If you need something, in the lines of: steel, stainless, blasted, powder-coated or welded. PM me, I need to pay you back for installing a new fuse panel. > [@GV1390](#): > > Mike (lightemup on here) Nice job! Mike is good guy! \<- Norb, (if you didn’t know) he was with us when we did some pulls mid-summer. ---
**Author:** ![frost12850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/2acd7d/32.png) [@frost12850](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/frost12850)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 10:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/27 "2013-11-11T10:36:35Z")
Daves a great guy 🙂 always willing to help out where he can ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 10:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/28 "2013-11-11T10:51:49Z")
> [@Shifty](#): > > Nice job! Mike is good guy! \<- Norb, (if you didn’t know) he was with us when we did some pulls mid-summer. TY! You guys should re-run then considering Mike is ~260lbs lol. ---
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 11:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/29 "2013-11-11T11:00:37Z")
I do recall. That Cobra was effin NUTS. ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/30 "2013-11-11T11:04:27Z")
> [@Norb O](#): > > I do recall. That Cobra was effin NUTS. Ohhhhh. I thought he meant he was the passenger. It’ll be faster spring time, he’s been rolling around on pump only. :tup: ---
**Author:** ![02NismoSpecV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/74df32/32.png) [@02NismoSpecV](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/02NismoSpecV)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 12:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/31 "2013-11-11T12:32:44Z")
make this work? or cut it up? [http://buffalo.craigslist.org/for/4162096061.html](http://buffalo.craigslist.org/for/4162096061.html) - - - Updated - - - or find a local auction and get a stainless table for like 100-150? ---
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/32 "2013-12-02T19:22:51Z")
Dave came through like a boss. I can’t say enough nice things about him. Even dropped it off at my house while I was out running errands. It’s 3/16" steel, 28 deep by 42 wide. 2" front lip and 4" rear vertical “backsplash”. I’m excited to beat the hell out of it and be able to weld on it (slap a clamp on the table rather than the part). ![http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/11181781814_baee3a6e7a_b.jpg](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/11181781814_baee3a6e7a_b.jpg) ![http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/11181845484_25d06e4a4e_b.jpg](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/11181845484_25d06e4a4e_b.jpg) I will need to hit the edges with a grinder/something to soften them up as they’re still very sharp from being sheared, but I can guarantee that the surface will outlast me ---
**Author:** ![lorge1989](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lorge1989/32/6153_2.png) [@lorge1989](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/lorge1989)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/33 "2013-12-03T04:51:48Z")
Why did you use 8020 that shit is $$. ---
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 5:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/34 "2013-12-03T05:10:16Z")
It’s old Bosch strut. The new “brand name” 8020 is even more expensive. I got it as scrap from my job for free. ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 5:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/35 "2013-12-03T05:14:33Z")
:tup: ---
**Author:** ![jay\_g](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jay_g/32/111288_2.png) [@jay\_g](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jay_g)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 6:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/36 "2013-12-03T06:05:28Z")
damm I need this for my for my work bench. ---
**Author:** ![lorge1989](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lorge1989/32/6153_2.png) [@lorge1989](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/lorge1989)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 6:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/37 "2013-12-03T06:36:45Z")
> [@Norb O](#): > > It’s old Bosch strut. The new “brand name” 8020 is even more expensive. I got it as scrap from my job for free. Well thats pretty sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Shifty](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shifty/32/4959_2.png) [@Shifty](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shifty)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/38 "2013-12-03T20:21:42Z")
Awesome! Looks great…I’m glad the fitment is good. ---
**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/39 "2013-12-04T18:20:56Z")
awesome ! I have the same thing as gennaro at my house.i wish my counter was not forest green but they work great ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 12:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023/40 "2013-12-08T12:42:48Z")
I have a 4’x4’x1" A36 table if anyone is interested. 5x 2" Sch 40 legs, I believe the top is 38" high. Top is still flat I think. I’d have to double check, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t fark it up. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/selecting-material-for-workbench-surface/233023.md?page=3)