Medium BF/MFT Workbench Build

[MikeGE]

Thank you, Pierre!

I was buying my wood from three different places before the prices went up and availability went down.  I tried to buy some kiln-dried walnut and maple slabs from Beka. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let me select the slabs I wanted and insisted that I take what they bring out, so I left.  A friend recommended F.W. Becker in Pfungstadt, which is close to me, and they didn't have any issues with me sorting through the stacks of stickered slabs as long as I put them back in order after I made my selection.

Becker is also where I found the 19mm Valchromat in stock and is the only supplier I have found so far that stocks furniture grade plywood in birch, oak, maple, and beech.  However, 18mm birch A/B plywood is about €85 per square meter.  Before the pandemic, I paid less than that for full sheets of 19mm A/B birch plywood.

My wife and I can maneuver 250x125cm sheets of plywood or 3-meter slabs down the stairs to the basement.  If she's at work, I'll break the wood down in the garage and move the smaller pieces.

 

[John T.]

Hi Mike, did you put much testing into your decision to use hard wax oil? How has it lasted?

I was going to sand and finish my MFT/3 with shellac, based upon a youtube video, but I wonder if I'd be better off using some PolyxOil. My priorities are smooth finish with water/glue proofness. I guess either material could be spot treated, although it may not be too big of a deal for a MFT/3 which will get replaced after some time. At the same time I am hoping to see how I like it before attempting a workbench build such as your own which would have a permanent top.

 

[MikeGE]

Hi Mike, did you put much testing into your decision to use hard wax oil? How has it lasted?

I was going to sand and finish my MFT/3 with shellac, based upon a youtube video, but I wonder if I'd be better off using some PolyxOil. My priorities are smooth finish with water/glue proofness. I guess either material could be spot treated, although it may not be too big of a deal for a MFT/3 which will get replaced after some time. At the same time I am hoping to see how I like it before attempting a workbench build such as your own which would have a permanent top.

I intended to finish the top the same way Ryan did by using multiple coats of wipe-on poly and thinner. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any of the wipe-on poly in Germany, so used hard wax oil instead. 

After nearly three years of use, the top is still in great condition and on its original application of oil.  The occasional glue spill pops off with ease and I am happy with the durability.  If I was building a new workbench, I would not hesitate to use the same oil finish on it.

 

[John T.]

Good to know. I think I will give that a shot instead of shellac.