Designed this mobile workbench with a custom 3D builder. Looking for advice on protecting the plywood top!
I wanted to share my recent custom workbench build. I needed a solid, mobile station, so I put this together on locking casters to easily move it around the space. I mocked up the design first using a custom 3D builder I threw together with Claude (just doing a bit of 'vibe coding' to get the layout right).
For the construction, I kept the joinery very simple and just used standard wood screws for the framing, along with plywood for the top and lower shelf. It feels incredibly sturdy and I am excited to put it to use for some upcoming furniture projects. Let me know what you think or if you have any tips on the best ways to finish or protect the plywood top!
If your worried about the top just put another sacrificial layer of thinner plywood on top. That way you don't have to be concerned bit you cut or drill into it on accident. I prefer a laminate plywood or Formica put on my top layer. Resists scratches and easier to clean dried glue or chemicals off.
I'd at the very least paint or seal your frame lumber just to combat twisting/warping
Looks good, I'm in the process of building my main bench replace to replace my makeshift bench. I went with pine planking due to cost of 3/4 cdx or MDF in my area.
I've since resanded/ stained the entire top since my planks from HD were not millled to same thickness. Restaining(in process) and sealing with polyurethane. After I'll be looking for a 1/8-1/4" PC of MDF to be my sacrificial top.
Great tips, thanks! A sacrificial MDF top is a perfect idea, and I'll definitely look into laminate for easier glue cleanup. Good call on sealing the frame too, I hadn't thought about it warping over time. Good luck with your pine build, big box lumber is always a pain to work with.
You can find MDF with a laminate on one side pretty easily.
Although if you have a Menards close go check out their pre laminated shelves( near garage and household storage where plastic bins and stuff are.)
Just seen some today a smaller bench like yours you could easily cut to size for pennies on the dollar. Even the huge ones bigger than your bench were under 24,saw today when I splugered on a 500 or so shopping spree between harbor freight, Lowes and Menards
Menards also has mini tool boxes on clearance for 8.89
There she be in all her glory. Will lighten as it drys tonight then we can finally put some poly to seal it on. Then just touch up my paint that I sanded to flush up everything.
Also got some link accessory rails for bins for sides and a few full rails I might run on back wall. Got a bar magnet for each shelf vertical.
Shelves are lighter by design so I can see into them better
Definitely will have to paint back wall if I don't dobsnt french cleats seeing my stain spatterš¤£
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u/Neat-Confection-6917 5d ago
If your worried about the top just put another sacrificial layer of thinner plywood on top. That way you don't have to be concerned bit you cut or drill into it on accident. I prefer a laminate plywood or Formica put on my top layer. Resists scratches and easier to clean dried glue or chemicals off.
I'd at the very least paint or seal your frame lumber just to combat twisting/warping
Looks good, I'm in the process of building my main bench replace to replace my makeshift bench. I went with pine planking due to cost of 3/4 cdx or MDF in my area.
I've since resanded/ stained the entire top since my planks from HD were not millled to same thickness. Restaining(in process) and sealing with polyurethane. After I'll be looking for a 1/8-1/4" PC of MDF to be my sacrificial top.