In this video, I build the top of my new workbench. The most prominent feature of this top is a gird of holes with T-Nuts inserts, allowing me to clamp down my workpieces in the middle of the table.

The table with the top boards on.

T-Nut positioning for holding the top.

We use two bolts per side to connect the table top to the base.

I’m thrilled how the grid came out - it was much work - but it is nice and even and it is a convenient feature. I still need to build the actual clamps I can use on it, but this is a project for a later time. Another important aspect of the top is that I have an even overhang on all sides. Wich is needed to clamp things to the table using the regular wood clamps.

Sideview of the layers.

The holes for the clamping grid.

Installing T-Nuts for the clamping grid.

I constructed the top as a layer of five boards. All layers, except for the top layer, are glued together, allowing me to remove the top layer when it is beaten up and replace it with a new one. The second layer from the bottom is made out of plywood to prevent the T-Nuts from being pulled through the MDF boards. I’m not sure if this is necessary but better safe than sorry.