Benchtop/Router Table Top advice needed, please

Take a look at my workbench in my projects. It is made of 3/4” plywood. It is stout enough for sure. Weighs a ton also. It’s not a laminate hardwood top but then again I needed something now and at a reasonable cost. Materials were under 180.00 and would be 150 if I didn’t use cabinet grade plywood. I can’t imagine another layer of plywood anywhere on it. That would be a waste of money. As far as flatness of the bench, like one member said, ‘When I want something I know is flat, I go back to my table saw as the reference.’ Can’t help on the router table as I use a shaper. If you want the plans to the bench, PM me with your e-mail address

-- My greatest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell all my stuff for what I told her I bought it for.

Hey Dave
This is what setting up shop is about ,you did your home work now pick one you think is best, If not upgrade to one of the other plans after giving your first plan a try for some time.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

I used some Laminated Particle board for a top and the same material for the sides. I biscuit-ed the sides to the underside of the top for strength and sealed any exposed board with poly. This is bolted to the right side of my Rigid table saw and it works great. I have had no sag as it is secured on 3 sides. The sides support the strength similarly to a torsion box.

-- Keith, Bolingbrook, Illinois. The way I figure it I only have the rest of my life to get good at this...

Someone recently asked a similar question in this thread and there’s a link showing the process of how I made mine. I used 3/4” particle board and laminated pieces onto it as ribbing for added stiffness. Then laminated Formica to the top sides and bottom around the edges. I chose particle board over MDF mostly because I felt it will hold up better in the long run and not sag. It’s straight and flat, had no problem there. The original table that this one replaced, 3/4” single layer MDF sagged and was why I replaced it. I also sealed the exposed areas with 3 coats of poly to keep the humidity out since it is in my basement.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

Thanks!! I’m going to use the plans for the “Plywood Bench” from FWW. Its certainly not my dream bench, but it will give me something that I can use for the short term and then I can build a better one and give this one to my son. I guess my question had more to do with the top for the router table. Then again, I could always replace the top fairly inexpensively if the first attempt doesn’t work out.

-- Dave, Colonie, NY