New Workshop MDF Work Surfaces with T-Track // Sealing MDF with Shellac

I hope you know the thing you flashed up there said, "were your safety glasses" instead of "wear". LOL!!!!

The OCDness bravo

The slate on my pool table is 1" fully backed by 1" MDF. Each of the three pieces weighes just over 250 lbs. I've moved that fucker three times by myself now, so I truly relate to the weight of those tops! You have the advantage though, I only weigh 135. lol

Just one coat on the workbench?

Why is everyone so in love with MDF? It's nowhere as good as tempered Masonite. Unfortunately Masonite has max 1/4 inch thickness.

After a thousand videos of work benches, I am finally going to say something. Now that looks like a damn nice table!!!🎉

Very nice work bench ! 👍👍

I would think it would be better to use a 3/4 ply then a 1/4 MDF to keep weight down...or am I wrong

The fact you have your dust collector inside your work bench,. is absolutely brilliant.

It's just my opinion, but I would have used the microjig match fit system instead of t track. Very nice though. Once again, just my opinion.

Hey Travis, I like all your builds, I slowly going through all your work. My question to you is this, my miter station is built into my workbench, and it's recessed like yours. Where it sits do you have any problem setting your miter for 45's or more before it touches? Thanks John

single componenet polyaspartic

Workbench tops are a consumable.

If I do this I'm going to use epoxy resin as first coat on MDF. Do you thimk MDF is better than
plywood for this workbench top?

I bought a 4x8, 3/4” piece of MDF, it was so stupidly heavy.

I dont buy anything from Rockler they are way over priced

Really nice job. Currently looking for ideas - looking to build a workbench to incorporate router, mitre saw, table saw, sanding disk (300mm dia)all with T-track & slides for 19mm sleds all with an adjustable fence & copious underneath storage.

Looking at 7 ft 6 ins long by 650mm wide, on locking castors, with a folding leaf of approx another 500 mm wide (also with tracks in it) so when folded up will fully support a 4 ft wide sheet

Was really interested in your views about using & sealing MDF - thanks for posting

What does shellac smell like?

Any chance of this warping or sagging even though you put Shellac on it? Possible it may absorb moisture down the road?

I'm working on the ultimate no $$$ drill press table. It's a cheap x/y manual table with a drill press mdf table on top. Table has some t-track but spaced far apart, hoping to add some closer to the center and have a 4 bolt/slide mount on some cross rails with clamps. Using spray shellac 🙏

Nice job - 👍.Came out very well.

Just further inspiration for my own workbench great work Travis

Would have been more feasible to use Shellac as what it is - a sanding sealer. Then lacquer for the topcoat.

Just stumbled across this as I look to replace my table saw station with a new MDF topped island. Gave me some ideas for T-Track. But buddy, for the love of god, wear a mask when cutting/routing MDF. That stuff is made from all sorts held together by a formaldehyde based chemical resin soup, you definitely do not want to be breathing that stuff in. Same goes for drilling it, especially holesaws, that awful burning smell you get from it is that chemical soup burning and you are breathing that in.

For those MDF haters, I just have one thing to say, *dead flat*. Oh, and no swelling, so I guess that is two things.

Thanks! Smaller project but doing the same thing with a table saw extension wing/router lift insert. Went with birch plywood at first and decided to go with mdf. Going to use 3 coats of shellac with sanding in-between each. Awesome shop man!
Kevin

Nice blue cabinets by the door.

Hi awesome video! I have a Festool Mft3, is it ok to apply Shellac on it? Thanks so much

How many tins of shellac did you end up using for both tops?

I respect you and all the commenter’s here and your choices to use MDF. I personally use and have for over 40 plus years, cabinet grade plywood. I typically use 3/4” maple plywood. I use maple because it’s what I keep in my shop, it’s what I build cabinets and many things with. First of all it looks good, it has a hard wood veneer, typically a poplar core, and it’s stable. If I need to double up for strength or whatever reason, so be it. If I’m working on a project and need to fasten a stop or hold down or whatever I can screw into it and know it will hold. When I remove the screw, if need be I can epoxy or wood fill the hole. When it gets messed up with glue, epoxy, spilled finish or whatever, I can sand it. We are talking “work bench”. On all counts it’s far superior to MDF, although MDF is a little more stable but not by much. Let’s face it, once you get past the hard surface of MDF, its flakey underneath and at the edges. For those of you concerned with the cost difference or are strapped for cash, I can understand, but in the long run, plywood is only second to solid wood and much more stable.

All of my bench tops are MDF, So I am a fan. I protect the surface with paste wax, seals them fine, polishes out great and protects well from liquids, glue, caulk. Re-apply as needed. A little slippery to stand on though, so you have to be careful if your going to do some table dancing!

Love how you commentate your videos and I used MDF on my old garage shop for years. When my new house is done in a couple of months I was going to use something different for the top. But seeing you use MDF and Shellac with a good trim well that will be the way to go. Oh I had t-tracks in my bench and used it all the time. Even when I used the bench for reloading my shells.

Awesome vid, thanks for sharing! Quick question as I`m in the process of creating my MDF miter station. Do you Shellac the T-track cuts as well? The outer edges of the table before the trim? Thanks, and my very best to you and yours!

Amber shellac looks alittle more like wood

Don't discount plastic laminate for the top. Formica makes a great, slick, durable surface. It can be put on top of the MDF or plywood. I use it on all of my work surfaces and don't regret it at all.

My first view of a shop nation video. Excellent presentation by a clear-speaking, articulate, craftsman. Oh, and the content was spot on. I think I'll add an MDF top over my existing 3/4" plywood. I've been coveting some t-tracks, and this looks like the answer. Thank you.

Bench looks great, as does all the stuff you make. Just curious, it’s been 2 yrs since you made the new tops with MDF and shellac and I was wondering how it is holding up. Thanks

Don't drink the shellac!

Why don't people consider 80/20 extruded aluminum?

In process of resurfacing my work bench too. Very helpful 👌 thanks man. Should have a video up in the near future on that. Stay Blessed 🙌

Good stuff! But I would put a coat of spar finish or similar. Unless you never plan to use any alcohol around the bench. If you do a top coat be sure to use dewaxed shellac. They call it seal coat.

I am building a new assembly table. Topping with mdf. I have extra 3/16 ABS Sheet for final too. Very tough, protect the guitars I build during assembly. Would you shellac under the plastic, to avoid moisture getting to mdf? Maybe both sides?? Unheated shop, most of the time.
I am cutting t slots in the table, with ABS, very Strong. Used on my drill press table

Why didn’t you use melamine?

online woodworking project free .

Go vols

Excellent

I think I'd finish it with oil based poly for more durability, heat and water resistance. Looks great, though. 👍