I just built a new workbench for my garage. It came out pretty decent so I decided to put a nice top on it. I bought a maple workbench top from Grainger. My question is....what should I coat the top with? Should I use a rub on polyurethane or something like a linseed oil? I supposed that there would be some info from the manufacturer on what to use but there was nothing in the packaging to suggest anything. So therefore I go to the BEST source on the internet, TC, to find out the best sealer for a maple top. What say ye? (p.s. I will try and post some pics of it this weekend)

I would try to find a clear 2-part epoxy finish to seal the wood and resist solvents.

I like to have it natural wood, kind of soft like but not really soft.

When your trying to hold something to keep it from slipping around, also things don't roll off from them to easy.

You see where I beat mine up bending this metal, got in hurry to get it done and take pictures at the same, so I wasn't paying attention.

This work bench top has been like this for a lot of years, kind of beat up.

I guess while I'm talking, a couple of other things, don't make your work bench to wide, long is okay, but make it super strong, like pre drill and put long lag screws through the sheeting right into the studs.

Make sure your vise is mounted really good.

The stronger the work bench the safer it is, you don't want something letting loose when you have a large pipewrench and a piece of pipe on the end of it.

Like I use an acetelene torch to bend some bigger pipe, so when it gets red hot and you get on it you want things to stay secure.

Rob


http://www.1969supersport.com/13sheet.jpg

Tung Oil. It will seal and protect the wood but leave it with the natural surface you want. Old saying is use Tung Oil once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year, and then once a year after that.

All of our workbenches are made from 100% metal...

Being in the flooring business I have always had sheet vinyl on my work bench, it cleans up nice and looks better then plywood.. But I'm really thinking about skinning it with some stainless steel soon.... Welding on it is really taking a toll on the vinyl :D