Workbench question

[ABC3]

I have an older workbench that I will be using in my leather craft. The work area or surface is painted. Should I sand it down to the natural pine, leave it as is or does it matter.

I didn't know if the paint would affect the hides.

[rdb]

I don't think the paint will bother anything at all, technically. But my advice would be to cover the top with something renewable, such as masonite or plexiglass. If you are lucky enough to live near a counter top installer, you may find a piece in their junk pile of marble or some such, large enough to cover the whole top, or at least part of it.

Do a search on this site for workbench, or shop, and you'll find several threads discussing the work environment, and options for benches, etc.

Good luck, and keep us posted with what you do. I'm sure others will chime in here too....

[StolpSaddles]

I covered my 4 x 8 table with a sheet of 1/4" nylon material. now I have a large cutting table

[gtwister09]

What are you going to use the work surface for specifically? The specific use of the work surface will help dictate or narrow down your options. If you are using it for a cutting surface I would not use the masonite.....it dulls knives quickly.

Regards,

Ben

[Bree]

My bench is 30" x 96" with the surface made of two laminated pieces of 3/4" MDF and Formica laminated to that. I keep a 24" x 36" cutting surface on top of the table for cutting work. The long surface is very useful for laying out sides and full hides.

So I second the notion of having some laminate put on top of your pine table.