<HTML><HTML>Joel-- Since I do not do much regulating I have not built a bench but use the top of my 1920s vintage table saw, which is laminated maple. However, after 40 years of  foolling around with such things I would certainly consider these: Coatings:  Spar varnish (very tough). Laminates: Plexiglas (will scratch but looks sexy), Formica (I have used a matte finished version), Congoleum (?) (linoleum with little chips in it, used in supermarket checkout counters), or even galvanized iron or sheet copper (if you can find a big enough piece). Cheers, Dave Talcott</HTML>