"What do you have against two pieces of MDF tacked together?"

Nothing at all. But, I can purchase an old door for under ten bucks and have
a 1 5/8 - 1 7/8 thick benchtop filled with MDF or solid wood all finished
before the glue dries on a laminate that might well require two full sheets
of MDF that will need to be covered top, bottom and edges (moisture issues)
after that lay-up is dry.

Following that thread, it is apparent that workbenches come in all shapes
and sizes and folks use a variety of materials to create the bench they need
at the time.

The original post suggested a slab from IKEA at close to a hundred bucks
after shipping, more with taxes. I simply joined in to offer an alternative.
Not sure, by the way, why you would "pound on your benchtop" instead of
hitting the workpiece, but splinter city is most unlikely and easily
repairable.

By definition a solid core door is just that. The reason the surplus
outlets were suggested is that there you are likely to find the doors that
are solid wood as well as those employing an MDF (or similar) solid core
and most reasonable prices. Indeed, you are likely to find wood core and
MDF core doors priced about the same in many surplus stores. There is,
of course the problem of the veneer. ***** Pound on it a few times, and
splinter city. ***** What do you have against two pieces of MDF tacked
together? If you use a door, use some tempered masonite for a disposable
top. Shellac it well to shed glue drips.

--
Please don't infer a "tone" to my messages. It is the nature of e-mail to be
perfunctory "short and to the point." In the instant case, the medium is not
the message.

'Gooey',
Let me 'stick my oar in' . . . if you don't mind . . . I DO have something
against '. . . MDF tacked together'. . . I'm cheap & its too expensive - -
it's outside the parameters of the 'K.I.S.S. Principle' - - - to susceptible
to damage, etc.

I have three 'permanent' benches, and about 4 'temporary'. One {the first}
is a 'shelf type' built by the original {?}owner of our house. It is
attached to two walls and the stairs in the basement. It is basically a
'2x4' frame supported by '2x4' legs, and the recessed top is slats of scraps
of 'tongue & groove' boards. Of course I haven't seen *them* in over 20
years - the first thing I did was cover the surface with 1/4in Hardboard.
That surface was oiled to prevent paint/glue sticking. I don't really
'pound' on it . . . too resilient - stuff 'bounces', I installed a large,
swiveling, machinists vice with an 'anvil plate'.

The second bench is a 'traditional' type
carpenters/woodworkers/cabinetmakers bench. Got it fully assembled - 'last
one close-out' at a local lumberyard - CHEAP - about $25.Although it has the
usual side and end vices, and laminated top, I don't pound on this one
either - it's my 'small assembly' and carving bench.

The last one is the 'beauty' and 'workhorse' of the bunch. About 7 ft long,
32 in wide, and 45in tall - it 'lives' in the shop. A '2x4' frame holds 2
DOORS I 'rescued' from the trash !! The top is a solid wood 'paneled'-type.
The hollows of the panels were 'filled' with scraps of OSB, and a 'working
surface' of 1/4in Lauan was tacked on, trimmed, and oiled. An interior,
'hollow' door serves as a lower 'shelf'. The lower 2x4 frame acts as an
'all-around lip'. Power tools are segregated {Sanders & Paper, Saws &
Router, etc}into lidded clear plastic cartons and stored there.

Behind this bench are my 'temporaries' . . . several more 'rescued' interior
doors. All I need to do is set up a pair of sawhorses {I several sets . . .
'custom made' and 'bought on close-out' foldable ones}and throw one across.
VIOLA!! - 'Instant Custom Workbench'

Regards,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
{PS - I use a good bit of MDF. My 'roll-around' router table is made of the
3/4 stuff, and my drawing patterns are from 1/8in and router patterns from
1/4in}

"Gooey TARBALLS" wrote in message
news:iVSYf.38625$qe7.27549@trnddc04...
"What do you have against two pieces of MDF tacked together?"

Nothing at all. But, I can purchase an old door for under ten bucks and
have
a 1 5/8 - 1 7/8 thick benchtop filled with MDF or solid wood all finished
before the glue dries on a laminate that might well require two full
sheets
of MDF that will need to be covered top, bottom and edges (moisture
issues)
after that lay-up is dry.

Following that thread, it is apparent that workbenches come in all shapes
and sizes and folks use a variety of materials to create the bench they
need
at the time.
SNIP