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I cant tell you what to use, but I can tell you that I put polyurethane on mine and wish I hadnt. It peels really easy and never does become hard. If it were me, I think I would like to try a piece of MDF with the malamine already on it. You can but this at the box stores and it is relatively inexpensive. You may even want to put it down without nailing it or gluing it so that it can be replaced as a work surface when needed without ruining your bench.

I'm pretty sure this is what I will go with next time. Did I mention that it is super easy to clean also?

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Reguards,

Ken H

From my successes with polyurethane finishes, I'd have to say this is an isolated case, but I wouldn't recommend it for this application anyhow.

I use a big piece of pre-fab countertop for my workbench (it's built onto a wall), and I definitely recommend that sort of surface for a workbench whether it's to be beaten up like mine or not. So the melamine idea is good, as is laminating on some sort of plastic surface. If you're going for that old school workbench look then I'd throw on a coat or two of tung oil and finish the rest with blood and sweat over the next 40 years or so.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I use Rustins Danish oil on my wooden bench top. It is a drying oil, containing tung oil among other things, so there is no chipping or crazing no matter how you abuse the bench. If you wipe on several coats it leaves a thin film, and it seems to protect the wood reasonably. It is of course very easy to apply and maintain if you want to keep the surfaces pretty.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

If you're looking for a real hard finish, then you might look into "Helmsman Spar Urethane”
by “Minwax” it's a very good product.

Here’s an address to check it out; http://www.minwax.com/products/protective/helmsman.cfm

Robert

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

I used Watco danish oil on my solid maple bench ...

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Filippo,
I also used danish oil on my bench. My bench is mostly birch with the edges wrapped in maple.
chris

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Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Filippo,
Be careful with the wax. Just remember that anything you put on your bench will eventually end up on your projects. The danish oil will dry and harden (become non-oily). Depending on the wax, you may be picking it up on your planes, projects and elbows.
chris

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Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...