steel bench top

[goodboy]

hello everyone...

well here's my first post...let me say I wish I had found this site BEFORE I started my shop redesign...lol.

I did a search and didn't find any definitive answers to my question...

So my question is how do I fix\mount a 1\8'', 11 gauge steel top to a wood work bench?

liquid nails?
rubber cement?
construction adhesive?


any thoughts and experiences are appreciated

Thanx

and everyone likes pictures

 

[ZRX61]

1/8in thick? Countersunk screws.

 

[ADSR]

welcome from victoria! Shop looks good!

 

[rickyboy]

Welcome from Langley, BC Canada............the bench/shop looks good.

 

[NUTTSGT]

1/8in thick? Countersunk screws.

I would even think that a few round head screws strategically placed would work if it's thinner. It's weight alone should keep it basically in place, all you're going to do is keep it from starting to move.


Nice place you have and welcome to GJ.

 

[goodboy]

thank you for the responses and compliments!

We just bought the house 5 months ago... and the 24x26 detached shop was a disaster!!! a bench that was cobbled together with scraps almost falling over! walls covered in shelving of all different colors and woods, pegboard nailed right to the plywood walls!!! and lots of cobwebs! lol... so please forgive the mess... iys slowly coming together

Now that I have the steel back from the fabricators and laying on the bench I think you all are right... there are 3 pieces of 8'x2' covering the bench...and they each weigh almost 90lbs... screws will be more than enough...

I had great dreams and plans of welding the pieces together but now Im thinking counter sunk screws and maybe silicone or glue the joints will be enough.

Ill post some more pictures when I have the drywall and new pegboard up

thanxs

 

[Spareparts]

I have used liquid nail, small bead around the premiter and a squigally bead down the center. The weight will hold it down and the LN will keep it from moving. 11ga is about 5lbs a sq ft.

 

[4xdog]

I have used liquid nail, small bead around the premiter and a squigally bead down the center. The weight will hold it down and the LN will keep it from moving. 11ga is about 5lbs a sq ft.

+1 on an adhesive over screws.

Liquid nails, 3M VHB (Very High Bond) double-sided tape, or something similar should hold the top in place with good security, will allow sufficient support (probably) to prevent any oil-canning of the sheet metal, and will prevent any holes from being put in the surface.

Maybe consider putting a small lip around the edge to keep fluids on the metal surface or other things from rolling off?

 

[PCO6]

My main bench is 10' L x 30" D. The top is 1/8" steel over 2"x10" lumber. The only thing that affixes it to the bench structure is the vice at one end. The wieght of the metal top pretty much kept it in place before I bolted on the vice.

BTW - Welcome to GJ from Ontario. That is one BIG good looking bench!

 

[ed_v]

Easy to do.

Weld threaded studs to bottom of steel top.
Drill holes in wood top for studs to set thru.
Set metal top on wood top.
Attach washers and bolts to studs on underside.
Fasten tight.
Done

Ed

 

[Jack Olsen]

Adhesives are not a great idea if you're welding on it. But then, wood underneath is not great for welding, either.

That's a great-looking bench you built. If it's going to be a general use bench, then adhesives will dampen the sounds from the steel sheet.

Is that the steel in place in the last picture?

 

[goodboy]

Thanxs for all the ideas...

I'm going to think on this for a while... I still have to trim and fit all the sheets before I decide on how to fix it to the bench...

The last picture is with two of the three pieces on the bench.

And thanxs for all the compliments... it is a huge bench at 16'x10'. I do allot of stuff in my shop... rebuild motorcycle engines, I want to start to build a new engine for my boat, and I have an old truck that I'm restoring so there is always stuff going on ... I originally didn't intend to build it so big...but I have the room...so why not!

The bench is all 2x6 construction... the top is 2x6 frame with 2x6's every 16''... then a 3/4'' sanded one side plywood top... its screwed together and to the wall studs and the plywood walls... I love all the storage I now have... the double bypassing doors work perfect and look great...

After reading here and other places I guess I should have used a thicker top... but other than sitting a diesel engine on it I think it will be plenty sturdy for most stuff I will do..

 

[jonwally]

I like Ed's idea. If you ever have to remove it, that can be done. Plus not exposed screw to snag on or detract from the nice smooth surface.

 

[Falcon67]

I'd just use a little silicone in spots because the weight will do a lot to keep it in place. If you were going to do a lot of welding on it, I'd slide a piece of Hardi siding or concrete backer between the top and wood.

 

[trbomax]

If there is any possibility that you will want to weld on it,glue and nail some 5/8" fireboard down first.Then screw the steel to that.You would have to intentionaly heat the steel with a torch to burn the wood this way. If it makes you feel better put down 2 layers of fireboard,this would create a burn thru time of a couple hours at 1000 degrees or so. I had a welding bench in my old shop built this way but I only used 1/2" dw x 2.Its still there almost 40 yrs after I built it and never caught fire.I didnt screw it down,I made it with a lip around 3 sides and just set it there.The lip was to protect the exposed edges from any heat.

 

[goodboy]

well here's an updated picture...

I have the vice and grinder bolted down and tool box and misc other stuff on the bench and the top feels super solid. might just keep it that way and not glue\screw\bolt it down...for now

thanxs for all the ideas!

P.S. no excessive noise when I hammer on it...just a nice solid thunk noise

 

[1/2 Cup]

My (similar to your set up)14# steel bench tops are not fixed either, except for a vise, I do not have a problem at all.
Nice job by the way.

 

[Steevo]

That workbench is a thing of beauty!!

 

[tomd]

Goodboy: did you weld the joints or just but them together in place?

Is the steel top treated with anything to keep it from rusting?

 

[Glenn M.]

I think you've done an excellent job.
Somewhere around here, I've still got a steel grate lined with firebrick that I used long ago for welding, never burned my wood topped workbench...

 

[goodboy]

Thanks for the compliments! I'm not much of a carpenter so I'm really pleased how it turned out...

I was going to weld the pieces together... I'm looking for a mig right now... And I might just to that but right now they are just butted together and I think I might just leave it that way.

After I striped the mill scale the steel started to rust instantly! I tried wax... Oil... Wd40...nothing really worked. I'm now using stuff called fluid film... Seems to work ok. Kinda wish I would have left the mill scale on as it doesn't rust as easy and is hella tough... Just ugly lol

 

[48windsor]

I like ed v idea I myself . I have a quarter in. steel top also . You could also weld angle iron tabs and drill holes for lag bolts . Mine is bolted to wall that way . I love my streel top . I do welding so I can ground the bench and weld anywhere on it. and dont hasve to worry about it catching fire

 

[Moparmick]

I'm seriously liking the recliner nice touch!