What material for workbench top?

phil77

Hi there,

I'm looking for a suitable material to use as the top of a workbench in my shed.

Am considering using a sheet of 19mm Yellow tongue flooring cut to suit.

Any comments on suitablility or alternatives would be appreicated,

Cheers,

Phil.

Noyade

G'day Phil @phil77

I like Bunnings Specrite Formply. Easy to work with and durable. I've had a sheet on an outside workbench for around five years exposed to the environment and it has stood up well.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-1800-x-1200mm-17mm-formply-f17_p0390220

I recently saw it used for seating benches outside a Yakandandah coffee shop....

EricL

Hello @phil77

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about what material to use for your workbench.

The STRUCTAflor 19 x 3600 x 600mm General Purpose YellowTongue is an excellent choice as it is tough and long lasting. @Noyade's suggestion of using the SpecRite 1800 x 1200mm 17mm Formply F17 is also a fantastic option. Just to add to the suggestions made, I recommend looking at the Specrite 2200 x 600 x 26mm Timber Multi Use Pine Panel. It's easy to cut, repair, paint and stain, plus, even if you accidentally cut or drill into it, it can be easily patched.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Noyade

Just a bit of thread drift.

But I saw this outside a new coffee shop today. What a history it must have had!

It's now an outside bench for eating/drinking.

I asked the owner if they bring it in each evening. He said no.

I mentioned that it wasn't secured down.

"That's OK, the security camera now has your licence plate - if it disappears I'll know who took it!"

😁

phil77

Thanks Eric and everyone for the tips. Much appreciated.
cheers,

Phil.

Razzer

G'day Phil.

It depends on how you will use it. Yellow tongue will mess up pretty quick if you start beating on it, do some staining over it etc.

That has been my experience, ive even tried MDF and sealed it. After awhile that failed. All my bench tops have an 18mm ply with 17mm form ply. That way it's easy to clean, plus strong to work on.

EricL

Hello @Razzer

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with work tops. let me tag @phil77 to make them aware of your suggestion.

Eric