New service bench

[19&41]

I would start a new thread for the radio then post the link here.

[TC Chris]

I brought a chunk of cardboard home from the store that I'm going to use if and when I am putting a chassis on the bench that might dig into it. And I can always resand and add a couple coats of shellac and polyurethane if I do dig into it. I don't want it pristine, necessarily, just better than I have done in the past.

That's what I do when I work on my home bench, which is also my dining room table (really). There's a big chunk of cardboard with some penciled Ohm's law calculations, resistor color codes, etc. The table does double duty as a bench unless it's a big project, then I use the top of the table saw. Maybe you can see why I'm jealous....

But how about getting a rubber mat of some kind, or a piece of tightly-woven carpet of some kind? Both would be gentle on finished cabinets as well as protecting the bench surface.

Chris Campbell

[19&41]

The rubber fabric they use to line drawers or shelves would make a good protective cover that could be rolled up to store.

[Firedome]

I've used a piece of Olefin (no pile to speak of) old style indoor-outdoor carpet on my bench when working on stuff I don't want to scratch or damage, it won't slide because of rubber backing and makes a smooth soft surface to work on. My 3/4" one-good-side plywood bench top was never coated with anything and shows signs of just about every project since 1974: dents, grease, paint, scars, it wasn't babied that's for sure. so the carpet helps to keep projects clean and can be replaced easily if necessary.

[electra225]

That would work as well. The reason I chose cardboard is that I have an endless supply for the taking.

[William]

I use an old mattress pad when ai want to protect a project.

Bill