Tabletop: HDPE vs MDF vs ???

[Tazzer]

Been looking around for another material to you other than MDF and other than cost is there any advantages for using HDPE over MDF??? Any other material that would work better?

[Phife]

I use both, I have 2 layers of 1" MDF that i sandwiched together using my vacuum press that is larger than my cutting area, and then I routed out a 24x48" pocket (my cutting area is 24x48) and have a sheet of 1" HDPE bolted from underneath to the MDF. The HDPE has a grid and vacuum lines that i use as a vacuum table.

Works great, just make sure the HDPE is bolted down really well, use lots of bolts because the HDPE once routered tends to warp/cup.

I like the HDPE because its durable, easy to clean and maintain and can be routered easily and works great as a vacuum table.

The MDF is sealed and painted.