emptystringer81 Posted February 28, 2016 Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 Was thinking yesterday about finding some sheetmetal to put on my shop table where I make soft plastics, seem like it would be cleaner and easier to peel off dropped hot plastic. Right now I have cardboard and a few old baking pans. I hear not to set hot Pyrex cup on cold metal tho but I've never had a problem. May be dangerous. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majic man Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Seen a guy use that laminate wood flooring. Said it was awesome to work on top off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Made a top for mine out of stainless. I really like it. Any sheet metal shop can bend it for you. Nominal cost. Bend a back splash plus a little at the front. Glue it down with hard as nails or any construction glue. Last your lifetime and another or two. If your bench is long, you might have to search for a shop with an 8 foot metal brake. Most have a 6 foot, if your bench is 6 foot or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emptystringer81 Posted February 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I found some aluminum flashing and put it on my table today, came out pretty good. I think stainless steel would be better but this will do for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I remember in the apprentice school, the benches were covered in steel sheet. Every Friday afternoon was devoted to scrubbing the tables with 80 grit and oil, for two hours. It was horrible. So make sure you use stainless steel. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I go the cheap/ez route... Big piece of cardboard wrapped in foil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FATFLATTIE Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Just a wooden desk and a small fold our plastic table. I wouldn't be too fond of hot glass and a cold metal table. I have no problem with the plastic sticking to either surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 You could just use Formica. Easy homeowner fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slammingjack Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 On my workbench which is carpeted, I have a 18" x 18" Glaze ceramic tile works very good and plastic don't stick to it. Not as cold steel and was only $2.50 at lowe's. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camrynekai Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 My bench tops are made with MDF sealed with cork sealer....made them back in 1996 and they are holding up great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowFISH Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 I buy the 3/4" 4x8 sheets of MDF with the very thin layer of melamine from Home Depot. It won't take direct heat very well - but it's nice and easy to clean - spilled/dripped plastic just wipes off it. It's cheap ($35) and double sided so you can flip it if it gets roughed up over time. Regarding the heat - I run my presto right on top - no issue - but I can't recall putting a heated pyrex on it directly on it as I usually use the silicone cups. No issue with hot plastic pouring/spilling on it - it takes that sort of heat with no issue - but I know from my glue gun / soldering iron - if you leave sustained direct contact heat on it - it will burn just like any other wood/MDF. J. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Melamine-White-Panel-Common-3-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-750-in-x-49-in-x-97-in-461877/100070209 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camrynekai Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Your link is showing Coated Particle board. Not sure how well that will hold up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowFISH Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Your link is showing Coated Particle board. Not sure how well that will hold up. Yep - it's the particle stuff.... I've had a few tables made with it for 7-8 years so holds up fine for me. If you leave the edges raw - they can get chipped a bit - but I haven't had any real issues unless I hammered a corner directly. I wouldn't leave it unsupported - meaning making a makeshift table with saw horses at each end will cause it to slowly bow - but if you support it reasonably well it lasts a pretty long time... I like that I can screw down into it, drill holes to clamp - even hot glue something in place in a jam and not care too much about it. It's not as tough over the long haul as plywood/steel/etc.... but for the price and to have something that wipes clean (I use WD-40 on tough stuff and then Windex) if stuff is "glued" to it - I run a razor or chisel over the top to scrape stuff off.... its hard to beat. J. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
