I'm a cheap SOB who wants to make a bunch of custom workbenches. A
four-by-eight-foot sheet of Formica (top layer only--the kind you glue
to the substrate) costs about $40 US at the local warehouse store.
Does anyone know of products similar to but cheaper than Formica, and
possible sources for them? Something like rolls of more-flexible but
less-durable melamine?
A brief search has turned up nothing, probably because I don't know
what to call the stuff!
Many thanks,
Cam
lots of guys use masonite (hardboard). It's quite cheap. When and if you
destroy it, just cut another one to size and replace it. use 1/4.
tempered if you can find it. make the edge of your bench the same
height as the installed height of the Masonite and then you don't even
need to screw it down. That's the way I did my bench and I'm very happy
with the work surface.
dave
Cameron Lee wrote:
> I'm a cheap SOB who wants to make a bunch of custom workbenches. A
> four-by-eight-foot sheet of Formica (top layer only--the kind you glue
> to the substrate) costs about $40 US at the local warehouse store.
> Does anyone know of products similar to but cheaper than Formica, and
> possible sources for them? Something like rolls of more-flexible but
> less-durable melamine?
>
> A brief search has turned up nothing, probably because I don't know
> what to call the stuff!
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Cam
That's a completely unbiased suggestion, right Lar?
--
Bill Pounds
http://www.bill.pounds.net/woodshop
"Larry Jaques" <jake@di\/ersify.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 4 Nov 2003 21:53:08 -0800, [email protected] (Cameron Lee) brought
> forth from the murky depths:
>
> >Does hardboard take polyurethane? I'd like a surface to which glue
> >does not stick.
>
> It'll be less expensive to put Johnson's Paste Wax on them them.
>
>
> -- Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Turkey and Drive --
Cameron Lee writes:
>
>I'm a cheap SOB who wants to make a bunch of custom workbenches. A
>four-by-eight-foot sheet of Formica (top layer only--the kind you glue
>to the substrate) costs about $40 US at the local warehouse store.
>Does anyone know of products similar to but cheaper than Formica, and
>possible sources for them? Something like rolls of more-flexible but
>less-durable melamine?
Wilsonart is a good laminate, but very similar to Formica in flexibility and
cost. Do a google search on "plastic laminates" for more information and
contacts than you will ever need...a trial run got over 69,000 hits.
What kind of workbench are you building that requires a plastic laminate top?
Certainly not woodworking, as it will not stand up to pounding, cuts fairly
easily, chips, and is susceptible to overall damage from rough use.
Charlie Self
"Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The
conduct of public affairs for private advantage. " Ambrose Bierce
Price some rubber belts or belting- USED. Also
Masonite/Hardboard-brown stuff. Now IF you are REALLY chaep, you can
take a checkered tablecloth, lay it on the bench and soak it with
varnish. Say 4 coats. It'll be there forever.
On 2 Nov 2003 22:31:40 -0800, [email protected] (Cameron Lee) wrote:
>I'm a cheap SOB who wants to make a bunch of custom workbenches. A
>four-by-eight-foot sheet of Formica (top layer only--the kind you glue
>to the substrate) costs about $40 US at the local warehouse store.
>Does anyone know of products similar to but cheaper than Formica, and
>possible sources for them? Something like rolls of more-flexible but
>less-durable melamine?
>
>A brief search has turned up nothing, probably because I don't know
>what to call the stuff!
>
>Many thanks,
>
>Cam
On 4 Nov 2003 21:53:08 -0800, [email protected] (Cameron Lee) brought
forth from the murky depths:
>Does hardboard take polyurethane? I'd like a surface to which glue
>does not stick.
It'll be less expensive to put Johnson's Paste Wax on them them.
-- Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Turkey and Drive --
On Tue, 04 Nov 2003 21:53:08 -0800, Cameron Lee wrote:
> Does hardboard take polyurethane? I'd like a surface to which glue
> does not stick.
>
> My workbenches are indeed for woodworking, though auxiliary functions
> like assembly tables, machine tables, etc. I don't plan to use them
> for heavy work. Got a 2x4 leviathan for that.
Yes it takes the smelly or waterbased poly just fine. I put 6 coats of
waterbased on my tempered hardboard covered benches. The benchtops
substrate is MDF.
Doug
On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 22:31:40 -0800, Cameron Lee wrote:
> I'm a cheap SOB who wants to make a bunch of custom workbenches. A
> four-by-eight-foot sheet of Formica (top layer only--the kind you glue
> to the substrate) costs about $40 US at the local warehouse store.
> Does anyone know of products similar to but cheaper than Formica, and
> possible sources for them? Something like rolls of more-flexible but
> less-durable melamine?
>
> A brief search has turned up nothing, probably because I don't know
> what to call the stuff!
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Cam
!/4" tempered hardboard makes a fairly durable top and if not glued down,
can be replaced when it gets too dinged up. It's also much cheaper than
laminate.
-Doug
George M. Kazaka wrote:
> Find the local Distributers for any of the Brands and ask if they have some
> discontinued colors they are selling at a lower price,
> Also call some local cabinet shops and see if they have any left over sheets
> that they would sell you at a lower price
That's good advice.
I saw some sheets on clearance at Lowes one day...got 4 sheets for
$6/ea! Rather neutral tan pattern...looks a bit like sawdust, actually.
--
************************************
Chris Merrill
[email protected]
(remove the ZZZ to contact me)
************************************
The terminology you are looking for is 'High Pressure Laminate" Formica is a
Brand but has gone Generic with a small " f "
There is not much diffeance in any of the brands,
If working with it a lot you will find differances in each color you work
with.
Darker colors are generally harder and more Brittle, you have several
differant thickness's
comonly known as V-32 (1/32 of an inch thick), General purpose which at one
time was .062 thick now your lucky if it is .052
and Postforming which is made of a differant paper that the regular
materials and is probabably .042 to .045 in thickness.
They all have the same amount of Melamine on the surface the only test that
they differ in is the Impact test.
Formica,
Wilson Art
Nevamar
Pionite
Laminart
Arborite
Panolam
There is a few others these are the most common ones
You are not doing to bad if a distributer is selling to you at that price.
Find the local Distributers for any of the Brands and ask if they have some
discontinued colors they are selling at a lower price,
Also call some local cabinet shops and see if they have any left over sheets
that they would sell you at a lower price
They do indeed make a durable work bench
Good luck, George
"Cameron Lee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm a cheap SOB who wants to make a bunch of custom workbenches. A
> four-by-eight-foot sheet of Formica (top layer only--the kind you glue
> to the substrate) costs about $40 US at the local warehouse store.
> Does anyone know of products similar to but cheaper than Formica, and
> possible sources for them? Something like rolls of more-flexible but
> less-durable melamine?
>
> A brief search has turned up nothing, probably because I don't know
> what to call the stuff!
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Cam
Cameron Lee wrote:
> I'm a cheap SOB who wants to make a bunch of custom workbenches. A
> four-by-eight-foot sheet of Formica (top layer only--the kind you glue
After reading some of the other posts, I have to agree...depending on
what these 'workbenches' will be usef for, Formica may not be the best
choice. I've covered my TS auxilliary tables, router table and finishing
tables with formica...I don't think I'd want my workbench to be Formica,
for the reaons the others mentioned -- hammering, drilling and sawing
are really not compatible with Formica. Additionally, if you want to
clamp something down on the bench, you want something that offers some
friction on the top of the bench, to make it easier to keep things in
place.
--
************************************
Chris Merrill
[email protected]
(remove the ZZZ to contact me)
************************************
Does hardboard take polyurethane? I'd like a surface to which glue
does not stick.
My workbenches are indeed for woodworking, though auxiliary functions
like assembly tables, machine tables, etc. I don't plan to use them
for heavy work. Got a 2x4 leviathan for that.
Cam
> !/4" tempered hardboard makes a fairly durable top and if not glued down,
> can be replaced when it gets too dinged up. It's also much cheaper than
> laminate.
>
> -Doug
Varnish isn't free, you know. I've been saving my wife's discarded
bottles of nail polish...
Cam
> Price some rubber belts or belting- USED. Also
> Masonite/Hardboard-brown stuff. Now IF you are REALLY chaep, you can
> take a checkered tablecloth, lay it on the bench and soak it with
> varnish. Say 4 coats. It'll be there forever.
If you are REALLY REALLY cheap, what about contact paper? Hey, I'm on
a roll now!!!
On 2 Nov 2003 22:31:40 -0800, [email protected] (Cameron Lee) wrote:
>I'm a cheap SOB who wants to make a bunch of custom workbenches. A
>four-by-eight-foot sheet of Formica (top layer only--the kind you glue
>to the substrate) costs about $40 US at the local warehouse store.
>Does anyone know of products similar to but cheaper than Formica, and
>possible sources for them? Something like rolls of more-flexible but
>less-durable melamine?
>
>A brief search has turned up nothing, probably because I don't know
>what to call the stuff!
>
>Many thanks,
>
>Cam
<<lots of guys use masonite (hardboard). It's quite cheap. When and if you
destroy it, just cut another one to size and replace it. use 1/4.
tempered if you can find it. >>
There's also a product called marlite which is basically masonite with a
very thin non-porous surface bonded to it. You sometimes see it with a fake
tile pattern embossed in it for use in shower surrounds in really crappy
motel rooms or summer cottages. But it also comes with a smooth finish.
Being cheap like the OP, I glued a sheet of it onto the top of my laundry
room table as a substitute for more expensive laminate and in that
light-duty situation it has been perfectly acceptible.
Lee
--
To e-mail, replace "bucketofspam" with "dleegordon"