Plexiglass workbench top question

[mthatcher61]

Does anybody use plexiglass, or lexan or some polycarb as a top for a workbench? I made my top with pressboard and its a splintery PITA. Thinking of just putting plans down on it and throwing a sheet of plexiglass over it and using that as a workbench top. Has anybody else tried it? Is it a bad idea?
Thanks.

[Danl8]

Sounds like a good idea. Especially since you could put references drawings, etc., under it. Another option might be to cover the pressed wood board with a heavy epoxy like that used on bars/tables or to use that opaque white plastic that is used by quilters for cutting. I use one from time to time. It has grid-lines which make it useful for aligning parts and it seems to me to be slightly softer than polycarbonate resins (maybe acrylics, too?) but tough enough to withstand sharp blades.

[Kevin Waldron]

Negative will be that it will scratch fairly easily and in short time you want be able to see much. Why not go to Lowe's-Home Depot etc. and purchase some Formica and stick to your top with contact style glue........ we've used this for years and most glue's want adhere to the top and it doesn't tear up easily.... and all you have to do is take a chisel and scrape off.......( personally like white but other colors work )

Blessings,

Kevin

[leon2982]

sheet glass?

[hanksnowy]

+1 on the Formica type laminate for the top of your bench. Another choice would be a sheet of hardboard fastened to the bench top. Inexpensive and easily replaceable when the need arises. As far as the plans go, I'd consider an old window shade set up somewhere above the back of your bench. Some double face tape on the corners and affix your plans temporarily to the shade.

[MaineGeezer]

1/4" tempered Masonite works well and is fairly cheap.

[mthatcher61]

Hello everybody, thank you for your replies. I think I am going to go cheapest route. I'll prolly go with some hardboard and realize its sacrificial.
Puttin plans on an old window shade..tape them into the shade and then pull them down when I want to look at them and then roll it back up when not in use? Thats a neat idea. I have stewmac plans, they are huge. I'd need a big shade. Something to think about though.

[hanksnowy]

Big plans require big shades. Or two smaller shades side by side.
When you have the opportunity, could you post the measurements of those plans.
The workshop cheapskate says you could tack the plans to an old broomstick and roll 'em up or down as needed.
Inelegant but functional, nevertheless.