Table top for Bench top

[bigsteel15]

I picked up a solid Beech table top from IKEA.
I know I shouldn't be so lazy, but for $49 it was a steal.
I couldn't buy the wood for that price.

Anyways, my question is the suitablility for this as a router table top.
Should I attach the Beech to a piece of 1" MDF that I already have and just apply a finish to it, or should it be solid enough on it's own, maybe with a couple of stiffener underneath?
The Router table top will be fitting between my BT rails and about 30" long at most. My cut-out needs to be I think 11"x9-3/4" for Jessem Mast-R-Plate.

Should I still put a plastic laminate on the top regardless?

[JoeyGee]

I wouldn't use solid wood in a RT top...

I would worry about flex as it expands and contracts. I would stick with MDF and laminate it. If nothing else, you will probably end up with slop around your plate.

[bigsteel15]

Thought so, maybe I'll get a second one and make a new benchtop for my portable workbench. Then I can make it bigger and put a real tail vise and my 9" side vise.

[Tom Miller]

I think it could work just fine. Just allow for expansion/contraction like you would with any table top. In this case, if you're using Al angle, for instance, then enlarge the hole in the angle and use a panhead screw into the bottom of the tabletop. Maybe use a washer, too, so the screw head can move against the Al.

You can also attach some ribs underneath to keep it nice and flat, like you mentioned.

I personally wouldn't put plastic laminate on top, because I think the wood itself would look much nicer. If/when the original finish begins to wear, sand it down and slap some poly on it.

Good score!

Regards,
Tom