namluke Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 Hi, I finally made a flat worksurface to work from using 25 mm moisture resistant MDF. I was wondering if i could put anything on it that would make it easier to wipe off glue and help protect it a little more? I am planning to add some dog holes so im thinking that would be better to do after a finish. Any advice would be great Many Thanks Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 I use danish oil on some surfaces, and Johnsons wax on others, both make it easy to pop off glue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 @RichardA nailed it. Just beware that anything that makes glue pop off easier will make your workpiece slide around easier, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gee-dub Posted December 20, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 wtnhighlander has a point. Many folks want their benchtop to have some grip. I opt for smooth. My last couple of benches were multiple layers of laminated ply and MDF with two layers of 3/4" MDF on top. I use BLO on top, bottom, and sides, let it cure well and then paste wax. I refresh the wax every year or so and glue still pops right off. Finish spills are easily pared away with a bull nose plan or a card scraper. I beat the heck out of a top like this for . . . let me look . . . 13 years and it looked like this (new top being built on the old bench) when I gave it to a fellow woodworker. It held up so well I made the next bench in a similar fashion, just a smaller dimension. This was 5 years ago. More dog holes have been added and it has been re-waxed once. Still going . . . . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 I use hardboard as the top layer on my assembly table. I screw it down from the top so that it's easily replaceable when needed. Simply pull the old off and use it as a template for the new. About 15 minutes to replace every few years or so. I usually toss a coat of wipe on poly on it so that the glue pops off easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 Just go to the big box and get a roll of paper to protect it. MDF isn't a good work bench matrial so you'll need to protectt it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 I clean my brushes on bench tops and wooden fixtures. I use up the job bucket and clean the brush. Give the edge extra. Any sealer or varnish should work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 Plastic laminate would make a surface that would make popping dried glue off easy peasy. I've used it in a few places in my shop, when I buy it I go to shop that installs plastic laminate I buy their remnants they usually have some good sized pieces when they do a kitchen or bathroom counter top job they have to buy large sheets cut them down to fit the countertops then they store the remnants and the place I get mine from is a flooring company who also installs laminate. The table in your picture would probably be a three piece job, I find doing the laminate work pretty easy I use contact cement they make 2 kinds water based and the stinky bad assed stuff that's what I use because that's what I've always used I've never used the water based the pros use the stinky stuff. If I was building a table that would be used for glue ups this is what I would do. But there a number of options all the comments above are cheaper and easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 An inexpensive way out is a couple of coats of sanding sealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 2 hours ago, Dave H said: Plastic laminate would make a surface that would make popping dried glue off easy peasy. This is what I use in my shop on my outfeed/glue up table as well as DP and Router tables 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 I used boiled linseed oil on mine and am happy with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 Just wax it. It will be fine. That all I did on a PB top for 15 years till l got a hickory top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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