Bench question....

[Guest Lester Weevils]

If you find an old desk or whatever that looks solid but is made of pressed-board, you can put a piece of 3/4" plywood over the top. But if the press actions are vigorous then the entire structure will possibly loosen up over time. You will at least have to reinforce the top to keep it from powdering out under press operations.

I have a giant pressed board cabinet that still has fairly nice-looking plastic veneer after many years. It doesn't look bad and serves the purpose. Bought it back in the 1970's. I had originally assembled it fortified with carpenters glue as I always do with prefab pressed board stuff. Nowadays if I ever assemble any more prefab pressed board I think I'll use liquid nails rather than carpenters glue. Seems to fit the purpose better, though carpenters glue is excellent for many purposes.

The old cabinet had got real wobbly but was otherwise functional and looked OK. A few years ago I reinforced every shelf and corner juncture with 2X2 pine pieces, screws and liquid nails glue. That made the cabinet super tight and it will probably last longer than me unless the wife eventually decides it is too ugly and issues an ultimatum.

[Lumber_Jack]

I have seen others use this, as I eluded to in earlier post.

$34. It allows top movement to center between legs for maximum stability. Plywood could be cut and bolted to surface to ad strength.

There is a metal top one also for $64