[modeleng] Re: Work Benches

Why not just cover your existing benches with tempered harboard or even MDF 
Barrie! A sealer coat of either polythene or evenjust polyurathane 
underneath it would stop any oil wicking through to the top surface. A damn 
sight easy than replacing a whole bench!

In respect of your query, however, I have used kitchen worktop off cuts for 
bench tops for quite some time now, without any ill effects, even bolting a 
large vice through one. They also have the advantage of being quite flat, if 
new stock and not badly stored old stock. The current rend for rolled front 
edges is a bleesing and a curse though - they make sweeping up afterwards 
easier, but anything that has to be bolted through it has to be set well 
back, so as to have the full thickness abvailable.

Tony Wells.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barrie Purslow" <bpduo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Model Engineering List" <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2006 8:43 PM
Subject: [modeleng] Work Benches


> For many years I have used solid wood benches in my workshop but they are 
> showing signs of fairly serious wear and tear. i.e. splintering and 
> oiliness. This is not too much of a problem with steam locomotives but I 
> am rekindling my interest in model aircraft and they need a cleaner 
> environment.
> I am contemplating replacing the old benches with "Kitchen Worktops" as 
> supplied by the likes of B&Q. These appear to be plenty rigid enough (38mm 
> chipboard) and have a hard, plastic surface which is durable, non 
> absorbent, and easy to clean. Only one thing worries me slightly - I don't 
> know anybody who has tried it.


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