Can I use Oak flooring for the top of my workbench?

I used Bamboo flooring for my kitchen counter tops and I’m pleased as punch! I can’t imagine using oak would be any different for your own workbench. A few lessons: you’ll need to trim the edgers to rejoin them as planks otherwise, you’ll have ruts in the top. You can leave to finish on them. However, I sanded the bamboo down to parade rest! The finish on the flooring boards is very hard! It will take some time with a 30grit belt sander to get to bare wood. As for ruggedness and weight, I used 3/4 ply underlay and my tops are solid! You can bang away at them and they don’t budge! My wife pounds the meat on them and there is no vibration or movement.

-- Max the "night janitor" at www.hardwoodclocks.com

The Oak is unfinished is I think 3/4” X 3” wide asst. lengths – tongue and groove

Yeah, but does it have a chamfer on the top edge? Most flooring is sold with a chamfer. You end up with a v groove between planks. On a floor, that is nice touch. On a bench top, not so much.

Nope.. Just flat strips.

Might even want to double the 3/4” ply for added rigidity.
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

No. It simply will not work as a bench top surface.
This because you will be unable to resist the temptation to hop up on it and tap dance for hours at a time.

But other than that, there’s no reason not to.

-- When the moderator chooses sides, his site sucks.

Should I use 2 layers of MDF instead of Ply? does anyone have plans for a 30×60 bench. nothing fancy just 4 legs with a bottom shelf 1 or 2 vices.
thanks again.

cr1 – you got me!

I was half expecting someone to come up with a scientific explanation of why not, and thought you had it!

Very funny!

-- Don, Somerset UK, http://www.donjohnson24.co.uk

Well why?
I mean are you planning on using Bench dogs in holes?
If so then MDF is the worst choice. If all you want is a surface then use anything you want.

If on the other hand you want a dead flat super stable surface then build a torsion box and put legs on it. Be sure to add extra internal material for the vices and legs so you have something to bolt to.

If you want one of those sexy benches that look like some galoot wood working version of Wayland Smith might have made for himself, then you might want to spend some time researching the options. There are plenty.

-- When the moderator chooses sides, his site sucks.

If you have a lot of the oak flooring, I would cut out the tongue and groves, then glue the pieces along their faces so that you have have a 2 1/2 thick oak bench top with no need for a substrate.

-- "hold fast to that which is good"

Hey, Thanks for all the suggestions… I’m still deciding on the table I need.

Brandon, that was the answer I thougth of right away, it would make an awesome top.

-- Randy "You are judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give..."

I am with Brandon and Randy on this as well. Doing it that way will make a very sturdy bench top, that will last a few lifetimes.

-- Mike ---- Visit my woodworking blog: http://sawdustnewbie.com

I will try it that way… I will take pics along the way and post the when I’m done..

Looking forward to the photos!

-- "hold fast to that which is good"