Laminated bench tops

[TimH]

Anyone know of a source for laminiated maple bench tops (or equivelent)in the PNW?

[TimH]

Anyone know of a source for laminiated maple bench tops (or equivelent)in the PNW?

[TimH]

Anyone know of a source for laminiated maple bench tops (or equivelent)in the PNW?

[Bob Perkins]

I know you can get them mailorder from Woodcraft.com at a reasonable price. I don't know if you have a store near you to take a look at first..

[Bob Perkins]

I know you can get them mailorder from Woodcraft.com at a reasonable price. I don't know if you have a store near you to take a look at first..

[Bob Perkins]

I know you can get them mailorder from Woodcraft.com at a reasonable price. I don't know if you have a store near you to take a look at first..

[TimH]

Thanx Bob smile.gif

[TimH]

Thanx Bob smile.gif

[TimH]

Thanx Bob smile.gif

[TimH]

WOW! $300 to $400 for a maple bench top. I wonder how Alder would work. For a little bit more I could buy a thickness planer, a gallon of WEST and get some Alder off of the back of my property and....

[TimH]

WOW! $300 to $400 for a maple bench top. I wonder how Alder would work. For a little bit more I could buy a thickness planer, a gallon of WEST and get some Alder off of the back of my property and....

[TimH]

WOW! $300 to $400 for a maple bench top. I wonder how Alder would work. For a little bit more I could buy a thickness planer, a gallon of WEST and get some Alder off of the back of my property and....

[Frank Wentzel]

Tim

Check with office supply companies or even your local landfill. Old wooden desks with veneered solid wood tops are regularly discarded in favor of new "genuine" MDF-cored furniture (go figure). I just got a 3' by 5' walnut-veneered poplar desktop that I am going to use for an assembly table.

/// Frank ///

[Frank Wentzel]

Tim

Check with office supply companies or even your local landfill. Old wooden desks with veneered solid wood tops are regularly discarded in favor of new "genuine" MDF-cored furniture (go figure). I just got a 3' by 5' walnut-veneered poplar desktop that I am going to use for an assembly table.

/// Frank ///

[Frank Wentzel]

Tim

Check with office supply companies or even your local landfill. Old wooden desks with veneered solid wood tops are regularly discarded in favor of new "genuine" MDF-cored furniture (go figure). I just got a 3' by 5' walnut-veneered poplar desktop that I am going to use for an assembly table.

/// Frank ///

[Figment]

google a company called "Workplace".

I've never actually used their wooden tops, but I know it's part of their line. Products of theirs that I have used have always been competitively priced.

[Figment]

google a company called "Workplace".

I've never actually used their wooden tops, but I know it's part of their line. Products of theirs that I have used have always been competitively priced.

[Figment]

google a company called "Workplace".

I've never actually used their wooden tops, but I know it's part of their line. Products of theirs that I have used have always been competitively priced.

[Norske3]

..so why not a nice solid flush door?...and buy some tools with money saved...I would hate to put a mark in a $400 top....thats furniture...not a work surface..eh?

[ 09-24-2003, 05:40 PM: Message edited by: Norske3 ]

[Norske3]

..so why not a nice solid flush door?...and buy some tools with money saved...I would hate to put a mark in a $400 top....thats furniture...not a work surface..eh?

[ 09-24-2003, 05:40 PM: Message edited by: Norske3 ]

[Norske3]

..so why not a nice solid flush door?...and buy some tools with money saved...I would hate to put a mark in a $400 top....thats furniture...not a work surface..eh?

[ 09-24-2003, 05:40 PM: Message edited by: Norske3 ]

[TimH]

Agreed! smile.gif Ill check on prices on solid core doors.

[TimH]

Agreed! smile.gif Ill check on prices on solid core doors.

[TimH]

Agreed! smile.gif Ill check on prices on solid core doors.

[Dave Fleming]

TimH, I would not use Alder as a bench top with out a wear cover ie: Tempered Masonite/Smooth Two Sides.

Too bloody soft. I am using as bases for a shelving system I designed and am in the process of milling, bandsoaring and shaping it right now.

Do an internet search on Maple or Hardwood benchtops and I know you will get lots of hits.

Graingers, MMC, Listo,John Boos, are a few big suppliers but plenty of smaller ones too.

Usually tops off the shelf are max 2 1/2" thickness while most are 1 3/4" thick.

Another thought, dig through the 2x4s at the Orange Place and you might find enough vertical grain ones to laminate up for a nice top, once you knock off the eased edges. No need to googe'em together. Ring shank nails and a few lengths of Althread should do fine. I made similar 35 years ago as my first workbench top and gave it to a good friend... he is still using that workbench. Does the wear top thing too.

I will admit a nice Maple top with a well mounted Emmert Vise is awful slick lookin'.
<insert big wink grin here>

[ 09-24-2003, 07:14 PM: Message edited by: Dave Fleming ]

[Dave Fleming]

TimH, I would not use Alder as a bench top with out a wear cover ie: Tempered Masonite/Smooth Two Sides.

Too bloody soft. I am using as bases for a shelving system I designed and am in the process of milling, bandsoaring and shaping it right now.

Do an internet search on Maple or Hardwood benchtops and I know you will get lots of hits.

Graingers, MMC, Listo,John Boos, are a few big suppliers but plenty of smaller ones too.

Usually tops off the shelf are max 2 1/2" thickness while most are 1 3/4" thick.

Another thought, dig through the 2x4s at the Orange Place and you might find enough vertical grain ones to laminate up for a nice top, once you knock off the eased edges. No need to googe'em together. Ring shank nails and a few lengths of Althread should do fine. I made similar 35 years ago as my first workbench top and gave it to a good friend... he is still using that workbench. Does the wear top thing too.

I will admit a nice Maple top with a well mounted Emmert Vise is awful slick lookin'.
<insert big wink grin here>

[ 09-24-2003, 07:14 PM: Message edited by: Dave Fleming ]

[Dave Fleming]

TimH, I would not use Alder as a bench top with out a wear cover ie: Tempered Masonite/Smooth Two Sides.

Too bloody soft. I am using as bases for a shelving system I designed and am in the process of milling, bandsoaring and shaping it right now.

Do an internet search on Maple or Hardwood benchtops and I know you will get lots of hits.

Graingers, MMC, Listo,John Boos, are a few big suppliers but plenty of smaller ones too.

Usually tops off the shelf are max 2 1/2" thickness while most are 1 3/4" thick.

Another thought, dig through the 2x4s at the Orange Place and you might find enough vertical grain ones to laminate up for a nice top, once you knock off the eased edges. No need to googe'em together. Ring shank nails and a few lengths of Althread should do fine. I made similar 35 years ago as my first workbench top and gave it to a good friend... he is still using that workbench. Does the wear top thing too.

I will admit a nice Maple top with a well mounted Emmert Vise is awful slick lookin'.
<insert big wink grin here>

[ 09-24-2003, 07:14 PM: Message edited by: Dave Fleming ]

[Ed Harrow]

Or pick thru bigger 2x stuff (10-12) and then rip it to pretty nifty vertical grained pieces. Ater that, do the all-thread.

[Ed Harrow]

Or pick thru bigger 2x stuff (10-12) and then rip it to pretty nifty vertical grained pieces. Ater that, do the all-thread.

[Ed Harrow]

Or pick thru bigger 2x stuff (10-12) and then rip it to pretty nifty vertical grained pieces. Ater that, do the all-thread.

[Nicholas Carey]

Crosscut Hardwoods (1st Ave. South, Seattle) carries 1-3/4 ins maple counterops as stock.

Seattle's Environmental Home Center (http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=ENDURA_HARDWOOD) (4th Ave S) stocks laminated maple or madrone countertops as well. Price goes up to due inclusion of "environmental" in the name: $49+ per sq. foot.

Michigan Maple Block @ http://www.mapleblock.com/ (Petosky, Michigan) offers up maple workbench tops
Widths 24, 28, 30, 34, and 36 inches with lengths 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, and 144 inches and thicknesses 1-3/4, 2-1/4, and 3 inches. Three edge styles available - straight edge, radius edge, and bullnose edge.Kelly-Goodwin (Tukwila/Everett/etc.) carries the Michigan Maple Block line. http://www.kellygoodwin.com/products.htm

Good Luck.

[Nicholas Carey]

Crosscut Hardwoods (1st Ave. South, Seattle) carries 1-3/4 ins maple counterops as stock.

Seattle's Environmental Home Center (http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=ENDURA_HARDWOOD) (4th Ave S) stocks laminated maple or madrone countertops as well. Price goes up to due inclusion of "environmental" in the name: $49+ per sq. foot.

Michigan Maple Block @ http://www.mapleblock.com/ (Petosky, Michigan) offers up maple workbench tops
Widths 24, 28, 30, 34, and 36 inches with lengths 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, and 144 inches and thicknesses 1-3/4, 2-1/4, and 3 inches. Three edge styles available - straight edge, radius edge, and bullnose edge.Kelly-Goodwin (Tukwila/Everett/etc.) carries the Michigan Maple Block line. http://www.kellygoodwin.com/products.htm

Good Luck.

[Nicholas Carey]

Crosscut Hardwoods (1st Ave. South, Seattle) carries 1-3/4 ins maple counterops as stock.

Seattle's Environmental Home Center (http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=ENDURA_HARDWOOD) (4th Ave S) stocks laminated maple or madrone countertops as well. Price goes up to due inclusion of "environmental" in the name: $49+ per sq. foot.

Michigan Maple Block @ http://www.mapleblock.com/ (Petosky, Michigan) offers up maple workbench tops
Widths 24, 28, 30, 34, and 36 inches with lengths 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, and 144 inches and thicknesses 1-3/4, 2-1/4, and 3 inches. Three edge styles available - straight edge, radius edge, and bullnose edge.Kelly-Goodwin (Tukwila/Everett/etc.) carries the Michigan Maple Block line. http://www.kellygoodwin.com/products.htm

Good Luck.

[Dave Fleming]

Oh m'gosh, a 3 inch thick x 36 inch wide x 144 inch long top!!!!!!
Where is that Christmas List???

<insert big smile here>

[Dave Fleming]

Oh m'gosh, a 3 inch thick x 36 inch wide x 144 inch long top!!!!!!
Where is that Christmas List???

<insert big smile here>

[Dave Fleming]

Oh m'gosh, a 3 inch thick x 36 inch wide x 144 inch long top!!!!!!
Where is that Christmas List???

<insert big smile here>

[Nicholas Carey]

That's what I wuz thinking!

[Nicholas Carey]

That's what I wuz thinking!

[Nicholas Carey]

That's what I wuz thinking!

[TimH]

My wife is already pissed at me over this shop Im building. Its ok for her to spend tons of dough on her horses though. I guess horses add equity to a property more than a nice workshop. :confused:

[TimH]

My wife is already pissed at me over this shop Im building. Its ok for her to spend tons of dough on her horses though. I guess horses add equity to a property more than a nice workshop. :confused:

[TimH]

My wife is already pissed at me over this shop Im building. Its ok for her to spend tons of dough on her horses though. I guess horses add equity to a property more than a nice workshop. :confused:

[Donn]

You can't eat a shop.

[Donn]

You can't eat a shop.

[Donn]

You can't eat a shop.

[Dave Fleming]

You can't eat a shop Hmmm ah yes, horsemeat is common in some areas.

<insert big wide grin here>

[Dave Fleming]

You can't eat a shop Hmmm ah yes, horsemeat is common in some areas.

<insert big wide grin here>

[Dave Fleming]

You can't eat a shop Hmmm ah yes, horsemeat is common in some areas.

<insert big wide grin here>

[bret]

Check out www.grizzly.com (http://www.grizzly.com) and look under wood products. Nice excuse to drive up to Bellingham. :cool: Another place to check is Eden Saw in P.T.. If you go there be sure to go to that little brewery in the the boat haven and have a pint for me. smile.gif Bret

[bret]

Check out www.grizzly.com (http://www.grizzly.com) and look under wood products. Nice excuse to drive up to Bellingham. :cool: Another place to check is Eden Saw in P.T.. If you go there be sure to go to that little brewery in the the boat haven and have a pint for me. smile.gif Bret

[bret]

Check out www.grizzly.com (http://www.grizzly.com) and look under wood products. Nice excuse to drive up to Bellingham. :cool: Another place to check is Eden Saw in P.T.. If you go there be sure to go to that little brewery in the the boat haven and have a pint for me. smile.gif Bret

[TimH]

Grizzly's prices arent bad. $150 for 30" X 60" X 1-3/4". I havent been to Bellingham in a while...hmm smile.gif

I had better leave the credit card at home though...

[ 09-25-2003, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: TimH ]

[TimH]

Grizzly's prices arent bad. $150 for 30" X 60" X 1-3/4". I havent been to Bellingham in a while...hmm smile.gif

I had better leave the credit card at home though...

[ 09-25-2003, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: TimH ]

[TimH]

Grizzly's prices arent bad. $150 for 30" X 60" X 1-3/4". I havent been to Bellingham in a while...hmm smile.gif

I had better leave the credit card at home though...

[ 09-25-2003, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: TimH ]

[Ex-Oceangoddess]

See if you can find some old growth doug fir (comes out of old buildings, etc.) and plane that down, and if necessary laminate it up into a bench top. Eggs is eggs that you will ding it 2 months from now, and for ever after, so don't spend a fortune getting a fancy maple block.

For my money, a 3" thick top laminated from some old stuff is way better for a workbench - all those maple tops are probably 1" to 1-1/2" thick at best, and very expensive. You'll need the extra thickness for pounding stuff.

The day you drill through something into the bench top you will be glad you did it el cheapo.

[Ex-Oceangoddess]

See if you can find some old growth doug fir (comes out of old buildings, etc.) and plane that down, and if necessary laminate it up into a bench top. Eggs is eggs that you will ding it 2 months from now, and for ever after, so don't spend a fortune getting a fancy maple block.

For my money, a 3" thick top laminated from some old stuff is way better for a workbench - all those maple tops are probably 1" to 1-1/2" thick at best, and very expensive. You'll need the extra thickness for pounding stuff.

The day you drill through something into the bench top you will be glad you did it el cheapo.

[Ex-Oceangoddess]

See if you can find some old growth doug fir (comes out of old buildings, etc.) and plane that down, and if necessary laminate it up into a bench top. Eggs is eggs that you will ding it 2 months from now, and for ever after, so don't spend a fortune getting a fancy maple block.

For my money, a 3" thick top laminated from some old stuff is way better for a workbench - all those maple tops are probably 1" to 1-1/2" thick at best, and very expensive. You'll need the extra thickness for pounding stuff.

The day you drill through something into the bench top you will be glad you did it el cheapo.

[capt jake]

Tim, check out lumber liquidators (http://www.lumberliquidators.com/butcher.html) they are located in Auburn. smile.gif

[capt jake]

Tim, check out lumber liquidators (http://www.lumberliquidators.com/butcher.html) they are located in Auburn. smile.gif

[capt jake]

Tim, check out lumber liquidators (http://www.lumberliquidators.com/butcher.html) they are located in Auburn. smile.gif

[Bob Smalser]

I think this is crazy....or some of y'all are made of money...it's a benchtop in a workshop! It's gonna be so trashed in two years you'll need a floor sander with 10 grit to clean it up.

Pick thru some flatsawn DF 2X stock for $.60/BF you can highgrade into pure heartwood...set it on edge for your verticle grain......2 1/2 - 3" thick is perfect....bolt it together using allthread rather than gluing it (you can tighten or repair it some day), beltsand the top smooth, and treat with hot thinned linseed/tar/beeswax.

If you really want to waste...er, spend dough...buy an airdried Bigleaf Maple flitch from this gent and go thru the same routine. Negotiate with him...the mill price here for nice maple is $.45/BF in the log...you shouldn't have to pay much more than $.90 for plain grain in flitch form:

http://www.urbanhardwoods.com/

[ 09-27-2003, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Bob Smalser]

I think this is crazy....or some of y'all are made of money...it's a benchtop in a workshop! It's gonna be so trashed in two years you'll need a floor sander with 10 grit to clean it up.

Pick thru some flatsawn DF 2X stock for $.60/BF you can highgrade into pure heartwood...set it on edge for your verticle grain......2 1/2 - 3" thick is perfect....bolt it together using allthread rather than gluing it (you can tighten or repair it some day), beltsand the top smooth, and treat with hot thinned linseed/tar/beeswax.

If you really want to waste...er, spend dough...buy an airdried Bigleaf Maple flitch from this gent and go thru the same routine. Negotiate with him...the mill price here for nice maple is $.45/BF in the log...you shouldn't have to pay much more than $.90 for plain grain in flitch form:

http://www.urbanhardwoods.com/

[ 09-27-2003, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Bob Smalser]

I think this is crazy....or some of y'all are made of money...it's a benchtop in a workshop! It's gonna be so trashed in two years you'll need a floor sander with 10 grit to clean it up.

Pick thru some flatsawn DF 2X stock for $.60/BF you can highgrade into pure heartwood...set it on edge for your verticle grain......2 1/2 - 3" thick is perfect....bolt it together using allthread rather than gluing it (you can tighten or repair it some day), beltsand the top smooth, and treat with hot thinned linseed/tar/beeswax.

If you really want to waste...er, spend dough...buy an airdried Bigleaf Maple flitch from this gent and go thru the same routine. Negotiate with him...the mill price here for nice maple is $.45/BF in the log...you shouldn't have to pay much more than $.90 for plain grain in flitch form:

http://www.urbanhardwoods.com/

[ 09-27-2003, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Cliff Boyer]

You might want to check out a surplus dealer that sells office and shop furniture.

I picked up a 30"x72"x3" laminated maple top for $40. Also got a 24"x72"x1.75" top w/ a metal base for $40 too. Had to glue this one back together. After some sanding and a few holes plugged with dowels on both of them, I got some decent maple tops at low cost.

A close second would be a 1-3/4" SC door slab with a piece of 1/4" hardboard on top.

CB

[Cliff Boyer]

You might want to check out a surplus dealer that sells office and shop furniture.

I picked up a 30"x72"x3" laminated maple top for $40. Also got a 24"x72"x1.75" top w/ a metal base for $40 too. Had to glue this one back together. After some sanding and a few holes plugged with dowels on both of them, I got some decent maple tops at low cost.

A close second would be a 1-3/4" SC door slab with a piece of 1/4" hardboard on top.

CB

[Cliff Boyer]

You might want to check out a surplus dealer that sells office and shop furniture.

I picked up a 30"x72"x3" laminated maple top for $40. Also got a 24"x72"x1.75" top w/ a metal base for $40 too. Had to glue this one back together. After some sanding and a few holes plugged with dowels on both of them, I got some decent maple tops at low cost.

A close second would be a 1-3/4" SC door slab with a piece of 1/4" hardboard on top.

CB

[Paul Scheuer]

Check out the machinery auctions. The benches are usually not the stars of the auction, and they can go cheap. Also don't forget your school district. (For benches and tools. I got my Record wood vise froma guy who got six of them for 2 bucks each from a school).

[Paul Scheuer]

Check out the machinery auctions. The benches are usually not the stars of the auction, and they can go cheap. Also don't forget your school district. (For benches and tools. I got my Record wood vise froma guy who got six of them for 2 bucks each from a school).

[Paul Scheuer]

Check out the machinery auctions. The benches are usually not the stars of the auction, and they can go cheap. Also don't forget your school district. (For benches and tools. I got my Record wood vise froma guy who got six of them for 2 bucks each from a school).

[Mrleft8]

If I were going to build a new bench anytime soon, (and I might) I'd think about a torsion box design with skins of 3/4" prefinished Maple ply. 2 1/4" thick, stable, and strong. When one side gets mauled, flip it over. When that side gets mauled, replace it.

[Mrleft8]

If I were going to build a new bench anytime soon, (and I might) I'd think about a torsion box design with skins of 3/4" prefinished Maple ply. 2 1/4" thick, stable, and strong. When one side gets mauled, flip it over. When that side gets mauled, replace it.

[Mrleft8]

If I were going to build a new bench anytime soon, (and I might) I'd think about a torsion box design with skins of 3/4" prefinished Maple ply. 2 1/4" thick, stable, and strong. When one side gets mauled, flip it over. When that side gets mauled, replace it.

[TimH]

3 sheets of ply laminated together?

[TimH]

3 sheets of ply laminated together?

[TimH]

3 sheets of ply laminated together?

[Mrleft8]

Not exactly. 2 skins (1/2 sheet each = 1 sheet total) sandwiched around a framework of 3/4". Think a "lattice" of 3/4" strips, half lapped at the joints. Glue one skin of ply to one side of the lattice, and screw the other skin to the other side (the sacrificial skin). If you know where you want to mount vices etc. you add extra 3/4" blocking in that area of the "lattice" for hardware. Add a nice solid wood edge to your sandwich, and VOILA! Torsion box bench top! Very stable, very flat (if you build it flat. If you build a curve into it, it'll stay curved), and the added benefit of a sacrificial top....

[Mrleft8]

Not exactly. 2 skins (1/2 sheet each = 1 sheet total) sandwiched around a framework of 3/4". Think a "lattice" of 3/4" strips, half lapped at the joints. Glue one skin of ply to one side of the lattice, and screw the other skin to the other side (the sacrificial skin). If you know where you want to mount vices etc. you add extra 3/4" blocking in that area of the "lattice" for hardware. Add a nice solid wood edge to your sandwich, and VOILA! Torsion box bench top! Very stable, very flat (if you build it flat. If you build a curve into it, it'll stay curved), and the added benefit of a sacrificial top....

[Mrleft8]

Not exactly. 2 skins (1/2 sheet each = 1 sheet total) sandwiched around a framework of 3/4". Think a "lattice" of 3/4" strips, half lapped at the joints. Glue one skin of ply to one side of the lattice, and screw the other skin to the other side (the sacrificial skin). If you know where you want to mount vices etc. you add extra 3/4" blocking in that area of the "lattice" for hardware. Add a nice solid wood edge to your sandwich, and VOILA! Torsion box bench top! Very stable, very flat (if you build it flat. If you build a curve into it, it'll stay curved), and the added benefit of a sacrificial top....

[Tom Wilkinson]

You could get yourself an old section of bowling alley and build one like this.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/pb8255b07afe58fad5cf69ee3d9d876e7/faf6824d.jpg

[Tom Wilkinson]

You could get yourself an old section of bowling alley and build one like this.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/pb8255b07afe58fad5cf69ee3d9d876e7/faf6824d.jpg

[Tom Wilkinson]

You could get yourself an old section of bowling alley and build one like this.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/pb8255b07afe58fad5cf69ee3d9d876e7/faf6824d.jpg

[TimH]

Nice bench :D There *is* a bowling alley near here, but they probably wont give up one of their lanes for even a good cause :D

[TimH]

Nice bench :D There *is* a bowling alley near here, but they probably wont give up one of their lanes for even a good cause :D

[TimH]

Nice bench :D There *is* a bowling alley near here, but they probably wont give up one of their lanes for even a good cause :D

[Norske3]

...just how HEAVY DUTY work are you going to do on this bench...maybe what you need is a 1" steel boiler plate... :D ..you might change your mind about wood and build a nice steel hull.

[Norske3]

...just how HEAVY DUTY work are you going to do on this bench...maybe what you need is a 1" steel boiler plate... :D ..you might change your mind about wood and build a nice steel hull.

[Norske3]

...just how HEAVY DUTY work are you going to do on this bench...maybe what you need is a 1" steel boiler plate... :D ..you might change your mind about wood and build a nice steel hull.