Custom Stainless Workbench : How do I go about having one made?

[PreferredMotorsLLC]

I currently use a 10' formica counter top for my work bench. It has served me well for 5 years, but I really would prefer a deeper stainless counter.

How would one go about having a stainless top made? I'm not sure what type of business I would call to have that done without them looking at me strange. Would I need to build a base, then bring it to have somebody bend the stainless over it?

Lastly, What should a 10' X 3' stainless counter with a back splash run?

Thanks guys!

 

[hetkind]

Yellow Pages, "Welding and Steel Fabrication"...stop on down, tell them what you want and they will be GLAD to work you out a quote.

Howard

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Scoring old restaurant counters would be the cheapest though. i am guessing that there are used restaurant equipment vendors all over the US.

 

[timewarp]

If you like the bench you have and just want a stainless top the easiset way would be to have a stainless top bent up by a sheetmetal shop that would just fit over your existing bench. Look up sheetmetal fabricators in the yellow pages.

Here's a link to get you started
http://www.bing.com/local/default.a...eet+metal+fabricators&go=&form=LLSV&cobrand=1

 

[ed_v]

PML, I sent you a pm.

Ed

 

[mark8040]

Interesting timing. I just went through this exercise....

Finishing up repainting my garage and wanted to replace my formica counter with a stainless steel top. I called 6 sheetmetal fabrication companies here in Fort Worth. 2 flat out told me they didn't have time for anything like that. I left voice mail messages at two companies that were never returned. At the other two companies, the people I spoke to took my dimensions and told me they would get back to me. Never heard back from them. I guess the sheetmetal fabrication business is good here!!!

All I wanted was a finished size of 96 1/2" x 21" with a 1 1/4" fold on the front and one side and a 4" fold for the backsplash. 3 folds, that's it.

I ended up buying a sheet of 16 ga. 304 #4 brushed from www.discountsteel.com. They sheared it to the correct size and I hauled it over to a hot rod shop I've done business with that had an 8 foot brake. Took 10 minutes to notch two corners and fold it up and we were done. I laminated it to 3/4" MDF and dropped it in place. Turned out nice...

I hope you can find someone to help you out but if you get the cold shoulder don't be suprised!

--Mark

 

[BoostAddiction]

Another alternative is Lista. I had them fab up a set of custom stainless tops that were made to size, were made relatively quickly, and still look great after 5 years.

They were competitive with anyone else, and much cheaper than the local experts who seems to specialize in expensive commercial work.

You can see them in my garage thread below.

 

[halfxspaid]

Turned out nice...--Mark

Any pics...?

 

[mark8040]

Here is the top I was referring to.

2 notches, 3 folds. Stuck it to 3/4" MDF with contact cement and screwed it in place. Solid enough for everything I'll ever need it to do.

 

[csp]

I need to get a picture of mine. It's the interior portion of an elevator door. It's 27" deep and a bit over 8' long and 1.5" thick. It's beefy as hell.

 

[nosetackle]

Take a look here :http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5873

This guy really had a great and inexpensive way to build stainless bench tops .

 

[kywildcatphan]

Here is the top I was referring to.

2 notches, 3 folds. Stuck it to 3/4" MDF with contact cement and screwed it in place. Solid enough for everything I'll ever need it to do.

Damn, is that your kitchen or your garage? Nice setup

 

[PreferredMotorsLLC]

Okay guys, I got a quote and it is good! I need some help on my specs to make sure I do it right.

10' X 25" deep, 6" Backsplash. Boxed backsplash and front/sides, welded.

14 gs. 304 Stainless with brushed finish

Now, I need to decide what the best way to fill the top is:
MDF or ????
How thick?

I was going to go 1.5" on the turn downs, but do I need to have 1.5" thick MDF in there then?

I hope my questions make sense.

 

[frankkl]

I just had a quote for one this size for about 1000$ I think its a little to much.

 

[stafford]

I called a sheet metal shop yesterday on this and i was sorta shocked that the guy that answered the phone told me it was too expensive and wasn't worth the money, to just use the wood top. But he did price the metal for me, 4 x 10 16 guage was 319.00 a sheet , 4 x 8 was 467.00 for two sheets. then another 50 or so for shearing and breaking.

 

[mad57]

OP what state do you live in? if close to nj i could help.

 

[mark8040]

Preferred,
I laminated mine to 3/4" MDF and my turned-down edge is 1 1/4". Screwed to the cabinet bases it is certainly strong enough for anything I'll be doing. I wouldn't worry about having the base material the same thickness as the edge unless the edge is going to interfere with drawers or doors on whatever the top is going on.

 

[PreferredMotorsLLC]

OP what state do you live in? if close to nj i could help.

I appreciate it, but I'm in FL.

Preferred,
I laminated mine to 3/4" MDF and my turned-down edge is 1 1/4". Screwed to the cabinet bases it is certainly strong enough for anything I'll be doing. I wouldn't worry about having the base material the same thickness as the edge unless the edge is going to interfere with drawers or doors on whatever the top is going on.

I'll initially be mounting it to a set of cabinets from Lowes. Might put some Lista or some sort of tool boxes under it eventually...

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

auctionzip.com to find restraunt auctions

 

[RoarkIndustrialSolutions]

If your other quote doesn't pan out, let me know. I can use Lista or a host of other stainless manufacturers.