what does everyone use for a workshop table top?

[Russell Huffer]

I currently have a plasticy cutting mat however i have noticed when doing banners that need to be face down they are getting scratched, so i am in the process of costing up piece of glass. Downside i am told is that you get through blades quickly but no scratches on work means better satisfied customers.

regards

Russell.

[Peter Normington]

Toughened 6mm glass is my choice, with a printed grid underneath,
It is good for cutting/trimming on, and I use the edge as a guide for timming easy to clean.

this has been discussed quite a few times before, but always good to hear if anyone has found other solutions

Peter

[Ian Muir]

Cheap sheet of foam pvc, does not leave bits and lasts a good long time, glass goes through blades way too fast in my opinion.

Ian :lol1:

[Russell Huffer]

Ouch just got first price back for 3m x 1.2m piece of 6m/m tough glass £313.9 +VAT

Regards

Russell.

[Peter Normington]

quote Ian Muir:

Cheap sheet of foam pvc, does not leave bits and lasts a good long time, glass goes through blades way too fast in my opinion.

Ian :lol1:

Trust a Scot to penny pinch 😉

blades are as cheap as chips, and I would not consider the cost of a few extra blades a day, relevant in the overall scheme of things….

if using plastic, you can get into trouble with blades following old cuts, been there etc, but that is one problem that is eliminated with glass. it also outlasts plastics by far, just my opinion and I have tried all the other usual materials, but glass is my choice.
Peter

[David Rogers]

quote Ian Muir:

Cheap sheet of foam pvc, does not leave bits and lasts a good long time, glass goes through blades way too fast in my opinion.

Ian :lol1:

Nah! I got about a week out of an 8×4 sheet of foam before it was destroyed!

As said numerous threads about cutting mats etc.

I use 3mm polypropylene (2@8×4)…dirt cheap, doesn’t blunt blades, non-stick and I’m STILL using the same sheets I bought 4 years ago…keep promising myself replacements but no major need as yet.

[Will Plane]

Some ideas to think about, I did wonder about the cost of the glass, would be ideal I think but it would cost a pretty penny for the size I’d require, might just invest in a big cutting mat, anything is better than what I have…

[Neil Kelly]

Hi David
who stocks the poly prop you use i might try this

thanks N..

[Ian Muir]

‘Trust a Scot to penny pinch ‘

You got me there Peter, have been known to sharpen old blades on the kitchen knife sharpener. :lol1: That’s the thing with glass, always seemed to run out of blades just when I needed to do some serious cuttin g……

I did think about polyprop in the past, good to hear it works well, I suppose using foam pvc depends how busy you are, as a one man band I could get around 6 months out of a sheet (using both sides) by non savage cutting techniques, before it got serious ‘railway tracks’ in it.

Ian :lol1:

[Tommy Olsson]

Been using linoleum floor covering on the benches for years and think it works very well.

[Ian Johnston]

quote Tommy Olsson:

Been using linoleum floor covering on the benches for years and think it works very well.

it’s the best 😀 tried them all, nothing compares. I think Harry took me up on using it on his new workbench , wonder how he has got on.

Ian

[Neil Churchman]

quote Russell-H:

Ouch just got first price back for 3m x 1.2m piece of 6m/m tough glass £313.9 +VAT

Regards

Russell.

That seems expensive – I’d shop around a bit more and see if you can find a glass wholesaler that has an in house toughening plant.

[Mike Grant]

You don’t need a big sheet in my mind.
I have an old dibond sign that sits on my workbench 10′ x 5′
I put my bits to cut on that and use an off cut of foam PVC about a foot wide and 8 foot long. Just shove it under the edge of what you are cutting and store it to one side when you don’t. lasts for ages. Easy to handle and when it gets to many cuts on it you can guarantee along will come another off cut to carry on with. I have a shorter piece for smaller cuts.

[David Rogers]

The last thread about the same subject.

http://www.uksignboards.co.uk/viewtopic … ene#289560

Few suppliers and other suggestions listed.

Dave

[Chris Wool]

idea some widow firms have double glazed failed units when for a patio door they are toughened and next to useless to them, thats why they smash them.

i have a new 10 x4 last 2 ft a light box glass top you love or hate it.

6mm not toughened we will see.

i do like the idea of lino makes sense

chris

[John Singh]

If cost is a factor
Try using some old scrap vinyl over the ply
Dead easy to clean

Obviously you can’t ride in like Zoro but with a little care it can last quite a long time

[Fabrice Menard]

hi all, isn’t glass too slippy?

I mean, I always struggle with media not staying in place when weeding and always ask why god did’nt make us with a third hand 🙄

[Robert Walker]

i use gloss PVC foam board

i also managed to get a cheep thin piece of sheet steel and
placed it under the PVC, and with the use of some application magnets
you have as many extra hands as you want

[Fabrice Menard]

OK, how thick is your PVC board?

[Peter Normington]

Glass for us, with a nice printed grid under it, great for aligning things, and is very easy to keep clean.

Peter

[Robert Walker]

its 10mm, the whole thing is too thick if I’m honest, it sits higher than my Keen-cut, I’m going to replace it with Glass once the PVC has had it,

[Chris Wool]

quote Peter Normington:

Glass for us, with a nice printed grid under it, great for aligning things, and is very easy to keep clean.

Peter

yes it works well next time i will include some angles and a quick centre finder. or just keep folding it in half.

[David-Foster-]

quote Robert T Walker:

sheet steel placed under the PVC, and with the use of some application magnets you have as many extra hands as you want

Great tip 😎