On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 00:46:39 GMT, "Joseph Smith"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I am starting a project to make a glue table for my small
>garage/workshop. My plan is to laminate three layers
>of 3/4 MDF for the top.
Too thick and heavy. If you put three layers of 3/4" MDF together,
then it'll sag under its own weight. Just two layers is adequate for
a workbench top. For an assembly table I'd use 3/4" on the top, 1/2"
on the bottom, with a 2" thick egg-crate torsion box (of 4mm or 6mm
MDF) between them.
A layer of 4mm MDF lightly glued on the top makes a good replaceable
surface that you can replace every few years, when damaged. Glue down
with screenprinter's T-shirt spray glue, so you can prise it up
easily.
>I have a heavy duty urethane finish (MINWAX Helmsman)
>left over from another project. Will it work okay?
Avoid water based finishes, unless you first seal with something
non-watery. Any water will raise fibres.
PU is good. Put some wax over the top (and re-wax regularly) to stop
the glue sticking.
--
Die Gotterspammerung - Junkmail of the Gods
If all goes well it might end up large. If the glue table
thing works well I'm think of building an extension to
it to line one whole side of my garage similarly for a
general purpose work surface and chucking out my
old workbench. Then doing it again on the other side
(but not as long or thick) making adjustments to set it up as a miter saw
station (got the idea from the December 2003 issue
of Wood Magazine).
"Frank Ketchum" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Joseph Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >>
> That seems really thick. How large is it? If it is really large, it's
> going to weigh a ton!
>
> I have heard that shellac is the best finish for mdf used for shop jigs
> (most resistant to changes in humidity).
>
> Frank
>
>
That's too thick...
Just use two layers and cover with laminate.
Glue will pop off with a finger nail.
Joseph Smith wrote:
> I am starting a project to make a glue table for my small
> garage/workshop. My plan is to laminate three layers
> of 3/4 MDF for the top.
> I have a heavy duty urethane finish (MINWAX Helmsman)
> left over from another project. Will it work okay?
Why not just using laminate
"Phisherman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 00:46:39 GMT, "Joseph Smith"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I am starting a project to make a glue table for my small
> >garage/workshop. My plan is to laminate three layers
> >of 3/4 MDF for the top.
> >I have a heavy duty urethane finish (MINWAX Helmsman)
> >left over from another project. Will it work okay?
> >
> >Joey
> >
>
> Probably. MDF has the tendency to soak up finishes. Trying a small
> test piece is always a good idea.
>
Joseph Smith wrote:
> I am starting a project to make a glue table for my small
> garage/workshop. My plan is to laminate three layers
> of 3/4 MDF for the top.
> I have a heavy duty urethane finish (MINWAX Helmsman)
> left over from another project. Will it work okay?
>
> Joey
That will give you a durable finish but I would add a wax final coat(s).
The glue comes off so much easier.
Gary
"Joseph Smith" <[email protected]> wrote
> I am starting a project to make a glue table for my small
> garage/workshop. My plan is to laminate three layers
> of 3/4 MDF for the top.
> I have a heavy duty urethane finish (MINWAX Helmsman)
> left over from another project. Will it work okay?
>
> Joey
I don't know why it has to be so thick and heavy or complicated for a
small shop. I would use ply underneath for stiffness and a melamine
panel on top so the glue won't stick. Better yet would be a high
pressure laminate surface aka formica, wilsonart etc. Why bother with
wax or urethane?
However you build it take some time to make sure it is absolutely flat
before glue up. Shim legs etc. Otherwise you will be continually
fighting it.
Mike
On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 00:46:39 GMT, "Joseph Smith"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I am starting a project to make a glue table for my small
>garage/workshop. My plan is to laminate three layers
>of 3/4 MDF for the top.
>I have a heavy duty urethane finish (MINWAX Helmsman)
>left over from another project. Will it work okay?
>
>Joey
>
Probably. MDF has the tendency to soak up finishes. Trying a small
test piece is always a good idea.
"Joseph Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am starting a project to make a glue table for my small
> garage/workshop. My plan is to laminate three layers
> of 3/4 MDF for the top.
> I have a heavy duty urethane finish (MINWAX Helmsman)
> left over from another project. Will it work okay?
>
That seems really thick. How large is it? If it is really large, it's
going to weigh a ton!
I have heard that shellac is the best finish for mdf used for shop jigs
(most resistant to changes in humidity).
Frank
I just a built a work table for my shop using 2 layers of 1" MDF. The
2" gives me a very sturdy table top.
I will be interested in the suggested finishes....
Daniel
On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 00:46:39 GMT, "Joseph Smith"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I am starting a project to make a glue table for my small
>garage/workshop. My plan is to laminate three layers
>of 3/4 MDF for the top.
>I have a heavy duty urethane finish (MINWAX Helmsman)
>left over from another project. Will it work okay?
>
>Joey
>