Drawing Board

You can buy Dry Erase board.. usually about a 1/4" thick, gloss white surface and you can write on it with dry erase markers.

 

You can also apply dry erase laminate over top of whatever you decide to use to make it into a writable surface.

 

It's a clear vinyl laminate.

 

Probably not but I've never been to Lowe's. If you have any Sign shops in your area they should have it. To be clear this is a laminate you apply the same as a vinyl decal over top of what ever you decide to recover your table with.

 

Sure, if it's smooth you wouldn't have a problem. It's basically just a big clear sticker.

 

you should get a thin layer of steel or some kind of metal so you won't have to worry about gouges/slices in the future. you could also clean with different chemicals/scrape with a razor and not have to worry about damaging it.

 

just get a sheet of hardboard at your local building supply / home center store... that should hold up plenty good..

 

Get a piece of 3/4" cabinet grade plywood. Roundover the edges with a router or sander. Stain it if you'd like, Then apply some of that liquid glass epoxy resin they use on bar tops.

 

This is a good idea. If you want, put a dry erase section across the back or along one of the sides so you could jot notes while you work but not be working on the dry erase board.

If you like the wood look, get whatever wood you prefer and put a piece of plexiglass on the top. That works as a dry erase surface, will take a beating (might have to be replaced in a couple years) and allows you to replace the top piece of plexi and not have to refinish the wood below.

 

If you decide not to do the steel or the wood, I believe hobby lobby has the material to replace the surface. I believe it comes in a roll. I think it's called something like drafting board covering or something like that. I'll look for the link

Well I couldn't find it on the Hobby Lobby site but I did find this...
http://www.officesupersavers.com/vi...g&adtype=pla&gclid=CNbt5ICanq4CFQPe4Aodgnjqcw

 

Well when I said 3/4 ply I meant replacing the tabletop entirely with a new one. Sure, you could veneer a sheet of 1/4" ply to the existing top. Just use some contact cement on both surfaces and make sure the existing top is clean and free of debris and oils or residues to ensure the glue sticks.


...Still waiting on someone to make a "back to the drawing board" comment when the time is right.

 

Use Lexan sheeting.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-White-Board-(Dry-Erase-Board)

They have the sheets at Home Depot. I've made motorcycle shields out of it.

It cuts and drills nicely so there's no worry about cracking.

 

1/16" thick stainless sheet would be nice.

not cheap though Im guessing.