My bench is 80" X 46". 3 sheets of mdf, rimmed with oak. Setting on a set of old iron legs from a machinist's bench. Very ornate legs. Not being at all foresightful, my work surface is not replaceable. When the top is replaced, the surface will be replaceable like Gerald's. 

2 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

My bench is 80" X 46". 3 sheets of mdf, rimmed with oak. Setting on a set of old iron legs from a machinist's bench. Very ornate legs. Not being at all foresightful, my work surface is not replaceable. When the top is replaced, the surface will be replaceable like Gerald's. 

80" X 46"? That's the size of my WORKSHOP!  Well, not quite, but I would have a hard time getting around it! I'm thinking somewhere around 6' long and 20" to 24" wide. Hardwood for a top would eat up my entire budget. Is MDF strong enough to hold bench dogs without camming out? (I think that's the term?) Or would plywood be a better choice?

John

5 minutes ago, HARO50 said:

Hardwood for a top would eat up my entire budget.

 

raid a flooring company's dumpster...

1 hour ago, HARO50 said:

Hardwood for a top would eat up my entire budget.

 

Look for a used solid core door.

1 hour ago, HARO50 said:

80" X 46"? That's the size of my WORKSHOP!  Well, not quite, but I would have a hard time getting around it! I'm thinking somewhere around 6' long and 20" to 24" wide. Hardwood for a top would eat up my entire budget. Is MDF strong enough to hold bench dogs without camming out? (I think that's the term?) Or would plywood be a better choice?

John

Yes the MDF will hold a dog without enlarging, at least the 3 layers does.

1 hour ago, HARO50 said:

Hardwood for a top would eat up my entire budget.

 

the dumpster will yield legs, aprons, framing, drawers, top. vises, braces, handles and much more after glue up of the pieces...

dumpster dove table..  102x52''..

I got maybe 10~20$ in it...

glides are from salvaged kitchen cabinet hardware...

 

@Stick486, how do you like the leg vise? Just looking at options, never even saw one before. What secures the lower end?

John

31 minutes ago, HARO50 said:

how do you like the leg vise  .... 

What secures the lower end?

 

I like it a lot...

great for long boards and large panels/doors/etc...

I have a clamp on bracket that clamps to the edge of the table to support long materials when the are in the vise......

there is also an end vise...

 

it's self...

or a spacer...

or a scissors jack...

all pictured in the end view...

 

Edited October 17, 20178 yr by Stick486

1 hour ago, HandyDan said:

 

Look for a used solid core door.

I actually have TWO of them, got them from my son at least 20 years ago. I believe the "solid" core is MDF, and was avoiding using one for that reason. Also, would the thin plywood facing not be a problem?

John

Just now, HARO50 said:

would the thin plywood facing not be a problem?

 

get it wet w/ anything and it will peel/delaminate...

1 minute ago, Stick486 said:

 

get it wet w/ anything and it will peel/delaminate...

Would a poly finish prevent that? At least for the most part? Not that I'll be using this bench in the rain, mind you.

John

5 minutes ago, HARO50 said:

Would a poly finish prevent that? At least for the most part? Not that I'll be using this bench in the rain, mind you.

John

 

yup...

getting it wet includes w/ solvents...

when you glue up the flooring into legs (2x4, 4x4, 4x6 etc) and what not... leave the ribs and groves exposed for a unique look when you can...

or take them off and leave the shoulder chamfers as ornate V veining...

either way you add character...

When the municipality re-did the road outside the garden center recently, I managed to snag three pieces of 3" X 6" X 6', poplar/cottonwood, I think, that was used as a "skid" under culverts. It cleaned up nicely, and should make rather substantial legs. Each piece is around 25 - 30 pounds.

John

Could you stick a hardboard top on that door? Use contact cement like for formica, maybe. 

Is the door 1 1/8 thick? If not, I'd put a piece of 3/4 MDF under it. That, or a lot of cross bracing.

The door is 1 3/4" thick, and weighs a TON! I would put a brace across the middle, though. Another problem I can see with this is: how do I mount a steel vise to it? Carriage bolts? THEN put a hardboard top over it. I don't think lag bolts from underneath would last long.

John

that door may be a fire rated gyp-core...

it will need some serious support framing...

1 hour ago, HARO50 said:

I actually have TWO of them, got them from my son at least 20 years ago. I believe the "solid" core is MDF, and was avoiding using one for that reason. Also, would the thin plywood facing not be a problem?

John

I have been using one for over 20 years without trouble.  It is wood core not MDF and I don't have dog holes in it.  If you have two of them why not use them.  What have you got to lose?

9 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

I have been using one for over 20 years without trouble.  It is wood core not MDF and I don't have dog holes in it.  If you have two of them why not use them.  What have you got to lose?

OK, you talked me into it! I'll have to shorten it, anyway, so that should tell me what's inside.

John