What table top for a workshop bench?

[mountaineer]

Hi

What would be a good cost effective workshop bench top? One that can be sacrificed and replaced. When replaced one that can be easily recycled. I was thinking untreated pine boards. Would avoid plywood, OSB and such that contains glue that might make it difficult to recycle and when cut might need some care due to release of harmful particles

thanks

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @mountaineer. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about a workshop bench.

You could definitely use untreated pine boards for your benchtop—they're affordable, easy to work with, and can be recycled or repurposed later on. Just keep in mind that pine is a softwood, so it will dent and wear fairly easily with heavy use.

That said, if you're happy to replace the top every few years, pine is probably your best option given your priorities. You might even consider using thicker boards or laminating a few together to give it more strength and durability.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[mountaineer]

Thanks @MitchellMc 

Other options like using MDF that have been suggested doesn’t seem to be easily recyclable. Unless there is an easy and eco friendly way of disposing of it. Found untreated wood like pine is accepted at our local tip as garden waste timber which makes it easier to dispose when needed

Good point about laminating it for added strength. Thanks 

[ChrisPeters]

In the past I have used a second hand solid door as a bench top. Fantastic. 
Other easy option is pallet boards