Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Apr 24, 2006 08:03pm | #1

   How heavy is the top and do you plan on moving the bench around or will it stay in one place more or less permanently?

   John White

1. 
   Lou2u | Apr 25, 2006 01:35am | #2

   Gidday JohnThe Bench will stay in the same spot with a chance of an occasional move. I'm moving away from a more traditional approach by using laminations for the benchtop............say 3 1/2 inch layers of cabinate grade ply finished with a final lamination skinned with high pressure laminate. This will be then dressed with HArdwood around the edges. See Pic of my final BenchDesignREgards Lou

   
1. 
   JohnWW | Apr 25, 2006 07:19pm | #3

   Lou,

   Being that the top will be made of plywood, and therefore won't have expansion and contraction problems, the easiest way to attach the top would be to use six lag bolts, probably 3/8" in diameter, one bolt at the end of each stretcher.  You might consider building up the thickness of the top a bit more, at least over the stretchers, to give the bolts a bit more material to thread into.  

   I'd suggest rethinking the idea of using high pressure laminate for the top surface, it is going to be slippery, rough on tools that accidentally strike it, and easily damaged and impossible to repair.  I've never seen a woodworking bench top finished in laminate and I suspect that it is for the reasons I've mentioned.

   John White

   Edited 4/25/2006 12:25 pm ET by JohnWW

1. 
   Lou2u | Apr 26, 2006 02:23am | #4

   Thx John

   Any ideas on what to use for the Benchtop. I'm still considering which direction to go????? Agree with your comments in regards to high pressure laminate. ANy suggestions really appreciated.

   REgards Lou