Why Use an MDF Workbench Top?

Chris Marshall discusses his hybrid workbench and some of the features that he's included. He speaks in-depth about the MDF workbench top, why he included it and what benefits having an MDF worksurface could bring to your workshop.

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[TaylerMade]

retired furniture maker here. my bench top is a 1800mm x 1200mm x18mm mdf sheet, screwed down to a 25mm thick wooden base. its screwed down so it can be removed and replace easily if it gets to damaged. 20 years later i still haven't replaced it. its covered in stains now but still flat and i just scrape glue, finish off it to keep it flat. i pound on it to do chisel work and have never had a problem with bounce. though i usually keep the workpiece over a leg when doing that. as the top is so big its a work table, assembly table, finishing table etc. helps to keep things small with a limited space. benches like tools, can have a snob factor about them. when simply a bench is a tool. as long as it meets the needs of what you do who cares what it looks like or cost.

[largo]

It's sunday night. After a hard weekend labour, I've just finish to build my workbench, and I'm looking videos about top surfaces.
Yours was very helpful, and you convinced me with your experience. Tomorrow, I will buy MDF to make the top surface.
Thank you !!!
Greetings from Patagonia, Argentina ! 🇦🇷

[David-hmic]

Finishing MDF: When I built my router table the top was made from 2 layers of 3/4" MDF that sits on a cabinet of 1/2" Baltic birch, built in 2021 before BB became scarce. To finish the top I rounded over the outside corners with a 1/8" radius bit and brushed on oil based gloss Varathane polyurethane diluted 50/50 with mineral spirits and continued adding that mixture until no more would soak in on the flat surfaces or edges. At that point I cut the thinner to 25% and sanded with 220 grit between coats, brushing on and sanding until a gloss developed, reducing the amount of thinner with each additional coat. After I got an even gloss i sanded again and sprayed on two coats of spray can oil based gloss Varathane. The oil based poly created a very hard, durable and slick router table top.

[rodc]

My very first bench, when I was a broke college student used super cheap particle board and 2x4s (and had a homemade vice), and it survived a surprising number of years, though eventually got demoted to an assembly bench. MDF would be much better. While my current work bench has a solid wood top, I think I might go this route if I ever make another bench. Just the stability of the dead flat MDF would be great. But I think I would screw the top layer to the bottom glued up layers so I could just replace it when and if needed.

[Satsujiki]

Thank you so much. As a complete beginner, it is absolutely intimidating to build a first completely straight, flat and thick benchtop. So many videos are against MDF tops. They even show you how to build a proper workbench and they build it... with their own perfectly crafted, fully equipped and sturdy 800lbs+ workbench. For a beginner like me, I am wasting so much time out of fear of building such workbench. I will just put a MDF benchtop on my empty workbench frame that's been sitting in my shed for the past 8 months.

[onehandedmaker]

Hi from an Australian Woodworker - One Handed Maker.
I had a 32mm MDF benchtop back in the 1980s and it was great to use.
Every time I had excess Shellac I gave it a coat which sealed it up over time.
Dead flay and inexpensive to replace.
Good video and advice thanks.
James

[dusbus]

Its like you made this video specifically for me. I just finished building the frame and legs of my workbench and have been considering two layers of 3/4" MDF with a Formica laminate for the top. Plywood is so expensive right now especially BB so it seemed like the only real options but I was worried about the dog holes and water resistance. Will take a page out of your playbook and be sure to seal the bottom. Thanks for the content.

[G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Thanks for laying out the considerations for using MDF. You may get a few views from my clients who want to hear from someone other than me as to why they might want an MDF top for the workbench I build for them.

[thormusique]

This is really wonderful and so inspiring! I will take this on this spring, cheers!

[r.mercado]

Sir, much enjoyment hearing your presentation! You have my attention. Semper Fi

[michaelbradford]

My work table top leaves something to be desired after many years of use and I have enough mdf to put 2 pieces of 3/4 inch directly on top of the old one after I do some serious sanding and I think you helped me to make the decision to do so with this video.

[ronh]

Good video and a nice looking bench. I am fortunate enough to have two benches in my shop. The first one I built was based on the New Yankee Workshop torsion box design and it’s made of 3/4” plywood with an mdf top. I could park my truck on it with no problem. It’s 20+ years old and still works and looks great. I also have a traditional woodworkers bench made of ash and a maple top that is 18+ years old. I use them both depending on the project. The mdf topped bench has a 2” overhang on 2 sides for easy clamping with bar clamps. I think most people would be happy with either style, MDF or Solid wood. And given todays lumber prices I would probably make the same decision you did!
Ron

[Aaron-njou]

My first workbench and my outfeed table both use mdf layers as a top and it works great. It is a great option if you simply want build a bench so you can build furniture. For some the workbench is the furniture and the time and care it takes to build a traditional workbench is what makes it fun and it does look awesome after.

[bikerrick]

Built mine twenty years ago very much like yours, I used two layers of mdf and a top sheet of 1/4 hard board still like new 😊. I just put lifting casters on this year.

[glencrandall]

Solid wood tops were traditional because there wasn't anything else to use. Now there is. Nuff said.

[rammos]

Hello where can I get the plans and video for the MDF Workbench ?

[janetbayford]

Thanks for this. Really useful and very comprehensive.

[noilifcram]

Thanks for the video Chris, your advise convinced me to built my workbench top with MDF though I added a laminate on top for durability.

[marcellemay]

30 years ago I made a 20 ft long work bench using laid flat 2x6s with 2x6 flat cross pieces underneath every 2ft. after the 2x6 top was made, I belt sanded the 2x6 top with rough 60 or 80 grit just to get the ridges off and make it all flat, then I glued 1/4" MDF over the top. The bench legs were simple 2x4 construction with diagonal cross bracing set 4 ft apart. It had shelving underneath. It was set against the wall of my shop, no wheels. That bench was rigid and flat and easy to clean. I didn't even put a finish on it. My ex wife inherited that one in the divorce. But, I never forgot it. It was strong cheap and easy to make and I could bolt down a vice and a grinder or whatever to it and not worry about it breaking. It was great for glue ups and making assembly jigs on. My shop floor wasn't exactly flat and level but I just simply shimmed the bottom of the bench legs to get it all on one level plain. It might be time to make another one.

[jonathanpederson]

Similar story - 3 sheet MDF torsion box assembly table framed in maple, going on 25 years of heavy use. Zero regrets. If ever necessary, I will repeat. Be advised, at 4x6 it is one heavy beast, but exceedingly stable.