Slotted angle for shelving/workbenches

[going88mph]

Hello,

Spent a few hours searching this forum, and found most DIY'ers here have built their workbenches/shelving from lumber. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course.

Has anyone tried to put together workbenches/shelving from galvanized slotted angle? You can get some fairly impressive strength numbers from a relatively small amount of material, and it can always be broken down or reconfigured since it uses nut-and-bolt assembly.

So why haven't I found any examples here?

 

[Kevin54]

I think there have been a couple members that made benches out of the perforated angle, but not too many. It just doesn't seem to be as substantial for a bench. Plus with a wood bench you can nail it or screw it. If you are looking for something like an erector set, have you ever looked at the 80/20 website? http://8020.net/ You can make quite a few configurations out of it. I think there are two rather large threads about workbenches. I'll see if I can find them and post them up. I have them bookmarked on my other computer but not this one.

 

[Falcon67]

Lot more expensive per linear foot of support. Harder to cut unless you have a metal band saw. I can bust out 96" x 16" of 2x4 shelf with supports and a OSB top before you could cut the steel with a hacksaw. And bald guy says that when he bumps his head on a wood shelf, he gets a bruise and a headache. Bang an angle iron shelf and he gets stitches.

 

[Kevin54]

Here is the big thread about workbenches http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464&highlight=workbenches+workbench Also if you do a search for "workbench + workbenches" it will bring up a few threads with different ones.

 

[hh76]

I'd look into strut if I were looking for a bolt together bench. It's a little heaftier, and you can get all kinds of attachments. Just look through the cooper b-line catalogue. Personally, I'd rather use lumber or welded steel.

 

[frankush]

I've got about 5 different shelving units that I made out of this stuff. Mine is green. Most all of them are in the basement. It was no where near as expensive as it is today. We had a cutter for it at work and it went together quick. I used 1/2" ply for the shelves. Solid as hell. If I ever move, I'll break it down and take it with.