Hi I am new to woodworking and I am putting my shop together in part of a three car garage. My question today is I obtained 3″ thick laminated maple, I think, table top which came out of a school. I plan on turning it into a workbench the issue is that due to it being stored for a while several of the planks near the ends have opened up partially none all the way thru and I would guess about 1/32 to 1/64 wide. The sides have wooden plugs were I guess threaded rods were used to keep the table together.
Would you suggest that I bore out the plugs and attempt to glue and tighten the rods or should I just use clamps and glue or epoxy and close up the several larger cracks or should I just build the workbench and make sure its flat on top and not worry about the cracks sorry for the lengthy question
Thanks Rudy
Replies
Hi Rudy,
My guess is that the tabletop is extremely sturdy and well assembled given that most everything I've seen come out of a school--furniture or shop equipment--is bomb-proof.
The plugs definitely indicate threaded rods. But I'm not sure you will have any luck tightening them if you can even get to them. I think your best bet is to close the gaps with clamps and epoxy, and then use epoxy to fill any remaining stubborn gaps.
Depending on the condition of the top surface, I would put the majority of your effort into getting the top flat, either with hand planes or with a router as described in this shop tip. Similarly, square up all the sides and edges and this benchtopo should serve you well for years.
Matt Berger
Fine Woodworking
I have a solid door from around 1970. Oak.
Could I use this as a workbench top? It's obviously quite heavy and flat (no panels).
Thanks,
russ
For sure. That's a great reuse of materials. Just make sure you attach it to a sturdy base.
The coolest recycled workbench top I've seen was made out of an old bowling ally lane. The point is, anything that's solid and flat will do.
Post some pictures if you don't mind.
- Matt
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