Inliners International Forums General Discussion Tech Tips Wooden Workbench: apply varnish??

I've just assembled this wooden workbench that I bought as a kit (WORKMASTER SKU #136-7034) at Menards and after few enhancements, it turned quite satisfactory. It's meant to be temporary, but I might keep it for few years. The sturdy table top is 22.5” x 72”, made by two 2”x 12” x 72” pieces of construction lumber (pine) glued together and smoothly sanded. The use of this bench will include engine work (light and heavy), where accidental gasoline spills can happen. I was wandering if there a sort of clear coat or varnish that resists to short exposure of gasoline or other fluids found in a garage. Having the table top sealed and protected by a varnish would significantly ease maintaining the bench clean. I wish I could just find a the local metal recycler a thick sheet of stainless steel to cover my bench, but it doesn't seen to be that easy.

I welcome all ideas and suggestions.

Thank you,

Dear Rick;

You could go to a "sheet metal" fabricator & buy a new piece.

Good luck.

Thanks John!

On mine, I have a 2x4 that I use as sort of a back splash. Had the metal shop put a couple of breaks in a sheet of galvanized to bend over the 2X4 and down the front side a couple of inches. It is extremely easy to clean up and no dents or holes. It does require you to use some wood etc when drilling on it.

Hey Rocky . . .

My two work benches are both hand made and built right onto the walls of my garage. The tops are made from 2x6 lumber set side by side for a sturdy surface. On top of that I have placed a cut to size sheet of 1/2" particle board which is fastened tight with wood screws.

When the particle board surface got all geasy, digned and gouged I just pulled the screws and turned it over. When both sides are shot I'll replace it with a new sheet.

regards,
stock49

if you want a stainless steel top for your workbench find your local restaurant equipment dealer, drive around back and you just might find a broken down 2-dr refrigerator, wont keep your beer cold,but it will have stainless steel all over it. i work for a restaurant supply house and my garage is outfitted with all kinds of cast-off equip..use your imagination and you'll find all kinds of good stuff. mike romankewicz,inliner #2376

Thanks everyone, those are very good ideas!

Hi,
I did a similar thing as Stock 49 except I used 1/4" masonite cut to fit the top. Nothing sticks to it (except paint - haha) and it is easy to replace. Its even a bit "softer" than other tops when I drop things

I did some service work an a plant that makes bags for pet food's, they have short rolls of paper 8" to 12" in dia. that they scrap.
Got my hands on several and used them for masking off before paint, and just about everything else, well to get to the point, cut one roll down to the width of my bench and made a bracket to hang it off the end of my bench. Pull it across my bench, when it get's dirty just toss it and pull another clean sheet across the bench, sure keep's the bench top clean.

I have an old workbench made from 4X4's salvaged fron an old distillery. I treated it with boiled linseed oil and it has held up well for 20+ years. I try not to spill lacquer thinner on it but oil, gasoline etc. don't seem to bother it.

If you use the bench a lot any varnish or paint will soon get scraped off.

Some people prefer a wood surface over metal. They cut a piece of plywood and tack it onto the bench with small nails or screws. When it gets chewed up, take it off and turn it over. When both sides are chewed up, throw it away and put on another piece.