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What is the best material for the top on an outfeed table

What is the best material for the top on an outfeed table (post #169267)

HSV_Ron on Wed, 10/26/2011 - 13:42

Woodworker's Cafe

I am in the process of building an outfeed table for my tablesaw similar to the one in FW Workshop Solutions issue. The one in the article has a phenolic plywood top which is basically impossible to find anywhere near me. Can anyone suggest a good material that will hold up and provide a slick surface for material to slide on? Thanks.

Tops (post #169267, reply #1 of 10)

by BruceS in reply to HSV_Ron [original] on Wed, 10/26/2011 - 15:47

Formica works great . It's what I used to surface my router table top.

Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

Bruce S.

Thanks Bruce. Formica is on (post #169267, reply #2 of 10)

by HSV_Ron in reply to HSV_Ron [original] on Thu, 10/27/2011 - 07:52

Thanks Bruce. Formica is on my short list for sure. Also, it's nice to see you concerned about shop safety. I've been woodworking over 50 years and can still count to 10. A great safety record is not an accident.

I found mine at a kitchen (post #169267, reply #3 of 10)

by Mcfarmer in reply to HSV_Ron [original] on Tue, 11/08/2011 - 06:59

I found mine at a kitchen cabinet place, a drop or mistake or whatever. The drip edge goes to the back and doesn't bother.

Formica over either MDF or (post #169267, reply #4 of 10)

by lwj2 in reply to HSV_Ron [original] on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 11:59

Formica over either MDF or Masonite & plywood. All of them can be purchased at any of the borgs, or you can get countertop sections and rip the edges off, glue together.

Leon Jester, Roanoke VA

formica over mdf or ply (post #169267, reply #5 of 10)

by bones in reply to HSV_Ron [original] on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 21:39

You could either use mdf wrapped in solid wood topped with formica or build a simple ply box topped with formica to get what you want.

...For that old machine lovers: http://vintagemachinery.org/home.aspx

outfeed table (post #169267, reply #6 of 10)

by stgibson in reply to HSV_Ron [original] on Thu, 02/16/2012 - 12:07

Formica is the best. Then I keep mine waxed with Johnsons paste floor wax. It makes you material slide like it is on ball bearings. Cheap too.

out feed table (post #169267, reply #7 of 10)

by billbarrand in reply to HSV_Ron [original] on Sun, 02/19/2012 - 11:12

Save your self some time and use 2 sided thermofused Melemine it's as good as laminate. I have it on my tables and it works great.

top surface for outfeed table (post #169267, reply #8 of 10)

by pakman1 in reply to HSV_Ron [original] on Tue, 02/21/2012 - 08:36

I found this place on the internet that sells phenolic in sheets and will ship it. It's more expensive than formica, for sure, but it's available. The company is Professional Plastics and the phone # is 888-995-7767. You can buy a sheet of baltic birch plywood and make your own phenolic plywood.

Vince (post #169267, reply #10 of 10)

by vince8 in reply to pakman1 [original] on Thu, 03/15/2012 - 07:52

how do you make your own phenolic with baltic birch?

The phenolic plywood is form board (post #169267, reply #9 of 10)

by Jigs-n-fixtures in reply to HSV_Ron [original] on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 13:37

You can get it through most concrete tool suppliers.

Alternatives are:

MDO plywood, (with a good coating of paste wax it will last for years);

HDO, but agian it is made for concrete forms and may be hard to find;

formica over mdf, or even particle board is certainly an option. The high dollar premade beisemeyer side extension wings, and outfeed tables are particle board, and they last for years.