Plywood would be fine. Many here will advise against canvas, as it can create quite a bit of dust. I'm on the fence with canvas myself. The main re...

I am definitely going to use canvas. I am not very concerned about dust since I will be working in the garage. I do mostly slab building, and need...

3/8" Azek. 4x 8 sheet. Pricey, but clay does not stick, does not stain, and can be sanded to remove scraps. etc. My tables have had it for years: s...

I work in my garage as well and I have canvas on my wedging tables. I don't particularly like it and I plan on replacing it with another surface ev...

Great tip. Thanks.

For wedging I like plaster -for work surface I like formica as it cleans up easy with water. You can paint plywood as well with good paint. A smoth...

I like formica or painted wood surfaces for the table as they are easy to clean. Then I use ware boards, newspapers, or sheets of canvas laid on to...

Important piece of studio advice: If you can put it on wheels, do it. It will save your back.

+1 on NOT having canvas. It really is about breathing in the dust (though also produces far more than you'd imagine which settles on all your flat...

I am like Mark. I wedge on a small plaster topped table 2' x 3' next to my wheel can recycle most thrown scraps immediately as I work. My work tabl...

1. A base is likely the last thing that will come up and it often pops up unexpectedly. It’s tempting to sketch something on the back of an e...

2. A full sheet of plywood is difficult (unsafe) to manage on a table saw. I start by rough cutting full 4X8 sheets into something more manageable...

3. Now I run everything through the table saw to establish the overall dimensions of each piece. I’m making six bases in this build so that&r...

4. The rabbets only get cut on the front/back panels. Put the side panels waaay off to the side somewhere so that when you take that inevitable pho...

5. This is where the dados pay off; they help keep everything in position when you’re gluing everything together. I like to keep a bowl of ho...

6. Clamps bring the freshly glued surfaces together and create a strong joint. Clamp everything together on one side and run down both edges with a...

7. Building isn't perfect; there are always slight imperfections working their way into your final product. It's MUCH easier to trim the edges flus...

8. You’ve already got the router out and there’s a mess of sawdust everywhere, so why not add a little finishing touch to the base? A q...

9. Spackle all those little brad holes. I prefer this Dap Dry Dex because it's purple when it's wet but drys white. Putty the holes and when everyt...

10. Roll some primer on the base. Once that's dry, roll on a topcoat of flat white.and your done. Oh, keep some extra paint around so you can touch...