WORKBENCH SURFACE - TIMBER OR METAL?

[bluchili]

A quick survey:  [eek]

What is your preferred workbench surface?  Timber or metal?

If you prefer a timber workbench surface, what is your preferred timber?

 

[kevinculle]

When I redid our kitchen about 8 years ago (27 cabinet build) we replaced the Corian countertops with quartz.  I repurposed the Corian top off the peninsula, which was a bit over 6' (1.83m) long and 30" (0.76m) wide, into a top for my primary workbench.  I keep it waxed which allows easy cleanup of dried glue and give it a sanding about annually.  It has worked out nicely.

 

[Peter Kelly]

High pressure laminate. Makes cleaning up glue, finishes and any other schmoo a lot easier. I may laminate my MFT top with vertical grade HPL as well.

 

[derekcohen]

A quick survey:  [eek]

What is your preferred workbench surface?  Timber or metal?

If you prefer a timber workbench surface, what is your preferred timber?

As this is your first post, I assume that you are starting out.

What tools will you use, for metal or wood?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[nclemmons]

For woodworking hand tools like hand planes and chisels - I like 3-4" hard maple for a cabinetmakers bench.  The bench has two vises and dog holes for clamping.

For track saws - I also have MDF tables with 20mm grid holes for use with the Festool clamps and tools. 

For metal working - I have steel benches for welding, grinding, and other metalwork.  My bench is 1/2" steel top that has a water jet grid of 5/8" holes for clamps and material clamping fixtures for right angles when welding.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Work bench surface depends on the type of work being done on it.
For general cabinet making tasks, I use MDF as an assembly table. I also use another with HPL and my cross cutting table is melamine coated particle board.
Welding and automotive work, metal surface.