Work Benches

[donsstoneimages]

What does everyone out there use for workbenches?  I have been using 8'x3' particle board foldup tables but the one where my polishing unit and saws is on is currently falling apart.  I was thinking of getting a corian sheet to redo the top with but it is probably out of my price range.  Any suggestions for either a new tabletop or a waterproof counter?

[thewrightthings]

You know, if you are really trying to stretch that budget, go to the dump(recycle center) and see if you can find an old discarded table or desk to (free) and cover it with a scrap piece of linoleum (carried at a lot of different stores, for very little money.).  Or build a table from scratch (not hard to do), and cover that with something....even a plasitic tablecloth.
  Just a few ideas.

[catmandewe]

I have used metal clad fire doors for table tops before.
The best kind to get are when they replace firedoors in schools or commercial buildings.
Usually you can get them for free, sometimes I see them on Criagslist for 5-10 bucks, also.
You could call around to a door company, see if they have anything they are throwing away or something real cheap, or some seconds.
They are kind of heavy and they will usually have a hole on one side for the knob, good place to run the drain through for some kind of equipment.

Good luck on finding one in your area.

Tony

[hulagrub]

You can also get reject kitchen counter tops from lumber yards, usually around a buck per linear foot.

[Taogem]

I have plywood bench tops, but have covered them with some unusual material.. It is a type of aircraft insulation from a local aircraft manufacture that do the interiors of the jets.

It is waterproof, and light weight. The one downside is I have to be extra careful when cutting this stuff. It can tend to leave some pesky little slivers if the edges are not done right.

It was just sorta available at the same time I was making my benches !  :)

[woodyrock]

If you have a Habitat for Humanity near you, the reject counter tops are a good buy there. Usually about $20.00 for a twelve foot piece. The big box stores send all their returns to the Habitat for Humanity stores.
Woody

[getyourbone]

I second the door thing!  In my opinion, used doors are a highly underrated(and therefore highly underpriced usually) material.  You can usually get them for free or next to free and they are great for table tops, workbenches, roof sheathing for sheds, etc... 

Great width for setting on a couple of saw horses and using as a temporary work space or shows

[Rockoteer]

I am a huge fan of garage sales (given enough time).  Visit enough of them and sooner or later you will find something that will work, be it a door and I have found many that were free, to kitchen cabinets for little of nothing.  I recently purchased a very nice work bench, complete for 35 bucks and they hauled it to my house.  I was only four blocks away but still...

JMTCW
Rockoteer