Replies

1. 
   renosteinke | Nov 04, 2007 09:39pm | #1

   Wood? Outside? Keep dreaming.

   I don't know what you use this table for, or what your exact needs are, so I'll have to give a pretty general answer.

   Answer #1 is .... you need a roof. Or a cover. Or, at least, a way to tilt the top up on edge. Sunlight is as damaging as water.

   Were I making such a table, I'd give a lot of thought to using open steel grating, rather than any sort of wood. If I still wanted wood, I'd at least cover it with tile .... or Formica .... or even vinyl flooring (the rolled up sort.) And, even then, I'd install it somewhat less than flat, so the water has a chance to drain.

   I've seen unprotected (but well supported) OSB flooring survive several years in the weather - but that's all it did: survive. It was no longer flat, or even, or true.

   I can't help but hear a little voice saying 'cheap ... cheap ... cheap' as I read your thread. That being the case, get a couple tarps, and a bunch of those table cloth clips they sell for picnic tables.

2. 
   Danno | Nov 04, 2007 10:59pm | #2

   Does the top of the table have to be wood? I was wondering about something like cement board or tile backer board. I suppose you could even pour a top out of concrete the same way they make kitchen countertops out of concrete.

   Perhaps signboard with good paint? Or epoxy?

   I suppose that plastic laminate wouldn't fare well outside--was thinking of stressed skin panel as the top with plastic laminate on both sides.

   As the other reply said, if you could put a roof over it, or fold it down to keep in shade and keep water from standing, that would be good--or how about a cover--just a tarp may do wonders, but a nice fitted thing like you cover patio tables with may work.

1. 
   jvl | Nov 05, 2007 02:04am | #3

   i as wondering about cement board,even marine plywood,or treated ply maybe

1. 
   Danno | Nov 05, 2007 02:27am | #4

   Any of those would be okay, the key with the wood being a coating that will protect it and fend off UV and water. Just don't use polyurethane--not good in weather. Marine plywood with epoxy coating should be very good, but also very expensive. Maybe just fasten on an easily replacable sacraficial final layer of OSB or hardboard.

   Well, that's it from me for about a week--leaving at 3 a.m. to visit Brownbagg's neck of the woods to mud drywall in a house our church is helping rebuild near Mobile. (Damaged by Katrina.)

3. 
   IdahoDon | Nov 05, 2007 03:01am | #5

   I don't like Medex for the most part, but you might have one of the few applications I can honestly say the stuff would be good for. 

   Medex is pretty flat exterior mdf for building signs and whatnot, although not exterior trim since it does expand with moisture.

   I'd coat it with spar varnish every once in a while and be done with it.  Medex is cheap so even if you had to replace it every year it wouldn't matter.  It seems like there is a 5/4" thickness that would be ideal for a work top.

   Good building

    

   Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

4. 
   GregGibson | Nov 05, 2007 05:52am | #6

   I've helped two Boy Scouts from two different Troops build outdoor benches as their Eagle Scout Service Projects.  4 benches each, and for two different church playgrounds.

   We used synthetic deck material as the seat surface, three boards wide, spaced about 1/4 inch.  It made for a perfect bench surface - no splinters, no water saturation, no need for water treatment or finish of any kind.  I can't remember the brand, but H.D. sells a product that is dimensionally "solid" not extruded into a shape, like Trex.  It's a little pricey, but I'll bet you'd love it for your application.  Pretty sure it's available in 16' lengths, too.

   Greg

5. 
   RedfordHenry | Nov 05, 2007 05:54am | #7

   I think MDO plywood with decent exterior paint is about the best you'll do.

6. 
   brownbagg | Nov 05, 2007 06:05am | #8

   I just use treated 2x6. we get 70 inches of rain a year, my outside table is 19 years old and still good. its a work bench doesnt have to be pretty

1. 
   rez | Nov 05, 2007 06:27am | #9

   Or some PT 2x4s on edge glued screwed and tatooed. 

7. 
   jvl | Nov 05, 2007 04:32pm | #10

   i was watching this old house one time and tom silva was building a planter box for a lady,he used some type of plywood that he said would last for a long time.cant remember the name?

1. 
   JasonQ | Nov 05, 2007 07:38pm | #11

   Almost certainly MDO, mentioned earlier in the thread.   MDO=medium density overlay, basically a plywood made w/ waterproof glue and a resin-impregnated outer skin.  Pretty damned durable, especially w/ a coat of paint or varnish. 

   You'll likely have to go to an actual lumberyard to get it, or if you have a Menards in your area they carry it as well.  Lowe's and HD don't generally carry it.

   Jason

8. 
   JDRHI | Nov 05, 2007 08:15pm | #12

   Work bench for outdoors? No problem.

   The most basic of benches can be as simple as some saw horses with a bench top sitting on top.

   I've got one that I've had for a very long time. It aint pretty, but it's sturdy as hell and stands up to the elements just fine. Everything is made from PT lumber....horses, benchtop, PT ply surface....and fastened with galvy screws. I don't think its ever been protected from the elements.

   MDO should work great as well, and may actually look a little nicer. I've had a folding table I slapped together for a family BBQ a few years back sitting in the backyard for going on 4 years. 4 x 8 sheet of MDO, unpainted attached to a cheap pair of folding legs. Top is discolored, but that's about all.

   J. D. Reynolds
   Home Improvements