mdf as a workbench top

[ray vile]

I want to replace the top of my workbench and i was wondering if 2 pcs. of 3/4 mdf would stand up to the abuse that it will be exposed to, how strong is mdf for mounting a bench vise to it and if holes for bench dogs or hold down clamps would hold up for any length of time.

[Johnny]

It great stuff becuase it is so perfectly flat. However, you must seal it. It did not do it and every drop of water will cause huge raised bumps.

[ray vile]

thanks , i never thought about reinforcing the holes and i was planning to edge it in either maple or oak, thanks again

James Waller said:

On the Woodsmith Shop tv show they built a workbench that had MDF as a top. They use solid wood as a frame around the edges, had a vise in the side of the bench and I think they had holes for bench dogs. They may have made the holes bigger and then drop some kind of hard tube (metal or plastic) to insert into the holes.

[ray vile]

thanks i was planning on giving it several coats of poly

Johnny said:

It great stuff becuase it is so perfectly flat. However, you must seal it. It did not do it and every drop of water will cause huge raised bumps.

[Ronnie Bauer]

Food for thought!! Use plywood for strength and laminate a thin sheet of hard board on top of plywood to give you the smooth surface you need.

[Al Barale]

I used MDF for my workbench top and its held up well, As the others have said make sure that you seal it. Every now and then I give my bench surface a wipe over with some wax , It makes it so easy to clean up any glue drips, etc that end up onto the surface.

[Steve Osterday]

Years ago I made 2 3'x8' work benches for my transmission repair shop. Mounted a vise on the end of one and a transmission holding fixture one end of the other. I used a 3/4" particle board top covered by a 1/4" masonite glued on. I did all kinds of work on these things and never had any kind of problem with them.

[thetoolnut]

Hello Ray, i'd laminate a sheet of 3/4 ply and 3/4 MDF together with a hardwood edging around the outside. i'd have the MDF facing up and finish it with several coats of Yacht varnish.

thetoolnut.

[John Schaben]

I think the best bench I ever built was 3/4 plywood, topped with 3/4 particle board, topped and edged with 1/4" tempered masonite over a 2x4 frame on 12" centers with 4x4 legs. Covered that with 3 coats spar urethane. I'm fairly certain no MDF bench could have handled the abuse I gave that thing.

[ray vile]

I pretty much did what you said but only upside down I put a sheet of 3/4 birch over 3/4 mdf I posted pictures and so far it has been a blessing..putting things together on a flat surface instead of taking cutoff plywood and laying on the old bench to try to have a flat surface
John Schaben said:

I think the best bench I ever built was 3/4 plywood, topped with 3/4 particle board, topped and edged with 1/4" tempered masonite over a 2x4 frame on 12" centers with 4x4 legs. Covered that with 3 coats spar urethane. I'm fairly certain no MDF bench could have handled the abuse I gave that thing.

[David Dean]

Well I'm one of thsos people who thanks ply wood all the way but I have two work benchs one is 1/2" and blue and the other is grey and 3/4" but it's nice to live neer a cabnet shop too and it is easy to keep clean and it is safe for finish sanding.