Concrete workbench top.....

[froglips]

Throwing this out to the collective brain that is North Carolina Woodworker (or, What could be construed as my latest hair brained scheme)......

What if you made a solid base and poured a concrete top on a workbench?

Then clad the top with wood for actual use.

It'd give one mass. Also, concrete can take some pretty decent pounding in cases like mortising.

I'd think following a plan for an in place poured top, like making them for counter tops. Use some re-mesh and fiber fillers for strength.

Could lay 2x across the top or ply or hardboard/Masonite.

One issue that came to mind is dog holes.

http://www.toasterwaffles.com/general/workbench-of-joy-part-1

While "thinking", I also thought, what about a few layers of drywall?

Jim

 

[Bas]

Re: Cement workbench top.....

Interesting idea. Concrete counter tops are all the rage now in the new houses, next to granite. It would be very durable. But, if you're going to cover the top with something like hardboard, plywood or 2x, why go through all the trouble of concrete? A few layers of MDF would give you same characteristics I think, without the work. Doesn't have the same cool factor though.

 

[Gotcha6]

Re: Cement workbench top.....

While drywall would be heavy it doesn't match the density of concrete and would fail with time. If you made a sub sub top from treated plywood and used treated blocks placed strategically in the form for dog holes, you could pour a reinforced top over that. Then you could put a wood top over the concrete. Just be sure to brace it well. Also, put some sort of vapor barrier over the concrete or seal it to help it cure and avert moisture transmission to the wood top.

 

[navy1990]

Re: Cement workbench top.....

I saw a DIY-type show where they made a concrete kitchen countertop. To make the holes for the faucet and water valves, they used PVC pipe cut to size. You could use those to make the dog holes. It might take alot of PVC, depending on how many holes you want, but it would be worth it in the end. Sounds like a great project and a workbench that would survive WW III.

Just thought I would add my 2 cents.

 

[Trent Mason]

Re: Cement workbench top.....

Sounds like a cool idea. However, if you need help moving, DO NOT call me. :gar-La;

 

[jerrye]

Re: Cement workbench top.....

While we're talking harebrained, one post I might actually qualify to comment on....

One issue that came to mind is dog holes. Jim

I wonder if you could use slightly tapered candles as cherries, pour around them, then melt them out once the concrete cured?? :eusa_thin

 

[junquecol]

Re: Cement workbench top.....

Learn the difference between cement and concrete. Cement is the "flour, and concrete is the "bread."

 

[shanekennedy]

Re: Cement workbench top.....

poured tinted concrete counter tops when i built my house 8 yrs ago

60+ sq ft for just over $100, can't beat the price



use wood wrapped in wax paper for the dog holes, then hammer them out once concrete is cured