wrote:
Hi, I'm a total newbie and trying to set up a first workshop on a
budget. I'm building a workbench and came across a relatively low cost
birch countertop that Ikea sells and thought of using it as an initial
top for my workbench. I know that its not ideal given some of the great
examples I've read about here on the rec and in The Workbench Book.
But, I'd like to use it until I can afford a better set-up. The
construction method I'm using would allow replacement of the top at a
later date. My other option is to use a double thickness of 3/4
plywood.

Any thoughts on the suitablity of this birch material as a bench top?
If so, what would you recommend for finishing it? Thanks in advance for
any suggestions to this somewhat confused newbie.

Here's is a link to the item which is solid birch, 1 1/8 thick and
available up to 69 1/4 length X 25 5/8: http://tinyurl.com/n46ml


Thanks!
Pete


I banged three 2 x 10's together on a couple of sawhorses. Threw
on an old radial arm saw and built a house around it.

Tool collectors need a big beautiful workbench to display their toys.

People who use their tools can get buy with an old wooden "Coke Box".

Build it as sturdy as you can. If it breaks, build it better.