Question about surfaces

[wtnhighlander]

Thinking ahead about some shop improvements I'd like to make. Some  laminate counter top work surfaces are in tbe mix. I prefer to laminate over a good ply, rather than use pre-laminated particleboard. Any preferences between Formica, Wilsonart, or Feeny laminate sheets? Or others to suggest?

[Tom King]

It's been so long ago that I tried some brand other than the Formica brand that I don't remember which one it was.  I know it was back in the 1970's when we built kitchen countertops with laminate.  Anyway, I remember not liking it and deciding to only stick with Formica brand after that, so I've never used anything else since then.  I think it has something to do with finishing the edges and not laying nice and flat when rolled out, but am not clear on what the details were being at least 45 years ago.

Sorry, that's all I have.  When I find something I like, I stick with it.  That's why I got married.

[Coop]

Wish I could contribute but I have no experience with lamination but I sure agree that good ply instead of particleboard would be my choice. 

[gee-dub]

Plastic laminates are great.  I don't know where the cost trade off is today but back in 2002 I used tempered hardboard over a plywood for a work surface due to cost.  I made the surface replaceable assuming it would get beat up.

I used it for a decade, then my dad used it for another decade, and my son in law is still using it today; original surface.

My outfeed / assembly table has been in near constant use since 2015 and this is the third shop the original surface has served in.

At the time the service tempered hardboard was less expensive than a quality laminate.  It is easily repairable with a bit of epoxy should something really big happen .  I can say that I have not been gentle with it and it has stood the test of time so far.

Again, laminates are great and I don't know the price point today.  I do have HPL on my router table and it has done very well for many years.  If the cost is out of line you could look at tempered hardboard as an option.

P.s. Depending on your size requirements you can often purchase off cuts or corner-damaged pieces of laminate at a discount.

[Ronn W]

For a surface where you want so slide a work piece - chose smooth.  All other surfaces - pick something with a little texture.

[pkinneb]

I have used a fair amount for counters, outfeed tables and more recently new router table and drill press tops I used to get it at our hardwood dealer but they closed so the last couple of sheets came from the box store (Menards) with no issues at all. FWIW I couldn't tell the difference between them prior to install or in service. Not sure what brand any of them have been.

[wtnhighlander]

Thanks to all for the input!

@gee-dub, did you apply any finish to those tempered hardboard surfaces? If so, what did you use? This is a technique I had not considered, but it seems effective.

[gee-dub]

On 5/29/2024 at 5:00 PM, wtnhighlander said:

Thanks to all for the input!

@gee-dub, did you apply any finish to those tempered hardboard surfaces? If so, what did you use? This is a technique I had not considered, but it seems effective.

I went back to check the build thread but didn't find anything specific for the top's treatment.  Very likely I used some BLO thinned 50:50 with mineral spirits followed with some paste wax once cured as that would be my usual for these things.  Since then it has been re-waxed maybe a half a dozen times.  Usually I like my assembly surfaces to have a bit of grip but this also serves as an outfeed so a floor wax gave me a good balance.

Not trying to push this choice.  Just providing info to help people make decisions . . . Just for grins, here it is this morning. 

Stained, scratched, and abused but not bad for 9 years of service.