finishing bench top

[William R. Monroe]

Hey Joel,

Good advice from Terry F.  I would probably use a Danish oil or similar, but 
I think it is important to consider the tasks being done.  When it comes to 
durability, not much will stand up to a stray screwdriver, but for sliding 
the action on and off, any standard finishes would be fine - Danish oil, 
varnish, polyurethane.  As was mentioned, it is very easy to renew an oil 
finish, without extensive preparation.

If you really want protection, you might consider either:

A.  putting a layer of plastic laminate on top of the whole works, (contact 
cement, best to make it slightly large, then trim flush to the benchtop with 
a - surprise! flush-trim bit in the router).

B.  making a replaceable top.  i.e. keep your benches as they are, but make 
a top piece out of 1/4" masonite, with rails that go around the edge of the 
masonite and keep it fitted to the top of the original bench.

Best,
William R. Monroe



>I think the preferred finish depends largely on what tasks are done on the 
>bench. I tend to do a lot of gluing - wood glues, urea-formaldehyde 
>adhesives, epoxy, etc. I always have glue slop, drips, etc. on my bench. 
>What I have found to work very well is to sand the surface flat and spray 
>whatever finish I have handy - usually a water-based lacquer. I put several 
>quick coats on it.
>
> Then after I have done some gluing, I scrape off the glue - it usually 
> takes off a coat of finish - but that way the glue comes off cleanly and 
> very easily. I just keep doing that until the finish gets too rough - then 
> I sand it again and spray a few new coats on. I just keep repeating the 
> process every few months or so. That way I almost always have a smooth 
> finish on the bench, and one that glue is very easily removed.
>
> Terry Farrell
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>
>>I would use Watco danish oil, or another of their similar oils. The oil 
>>penetrates the wood, then hardens, providing a tough, non-skin surface 
>>that can be easily renewed at any time by a simple wipe-on application. I 
>>don't think you want anything that shines, because it won't for long, and 
>>a slick surface is not work-friendly.
>>
>> -Mark Schecter
>>
>> Joel A. Jones wrote:
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I am building several new work benches which
>>> need a tough finish.  What finish does anyone use
>>> for a good regulating bench?
>>>
>>> The recommendations for old finishes directed my
>>> thoughts toward my projects in a remodel of the
>>> shop.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
>>>
>>> Joel
>>> Joel Jones, RPT
>>> Madison, WI