Steel over wood workbench

[OctaneMotorsports]

Hey Everyone,

I'm asking this question for a friend on another forum. He is looking to cover his wooden workbench with steel. His current bench top is 2'6"x13'8" in 1/2" wood. He is looking for an approximate price to do this, which kind of steel to use, which thickness of steel to use, and how he would go about attatching the steel to his work bench. Thank-you in advance.

 

[rickshank]

What's the purpose of the steel? General protection for the wood, or repeated hammering, or ??? What are the legs made of (thickness)?

I'd think that would steer the decision towards a type and thickness.

 

[bmwpower]

1/2"?? That's kind of thin for a wood top, no?

I would recommend stainless, but it's going to be more than regular steel. Shouldn't be more than a couple hundred $ I would think.

But still need more info as Rick said.

 

[thefairlaneman]

the only steel covered workbenchs Ive seen were in PROFESSIONAL shops, The steel COVERS the entire top and sides. Steel is good when you do alot of messy benchwork cause you can just wipe it off with a solvent, etc

 

[wythors]

I covered mine with 1/8" aluminum diamond plate that I got from this guy. He'll cut it and bend it to your spec and his prices are very reasonable. He has smooth stock as well.

 

[ron in sc]

Below is photo of workbench with 1/4" lexan top over 2" maple. For serious pounding I put a 16" x 20" plastic cutting board ontop.

The lexan does get scratched but is quite hard and resistant to lots of chemicals. I know it's ok with brake fluid, all kinds of greases and oil. I would use any MEK or Xylene since I think those might damage it.

 

[qurtrn10]

I really like the laxan idea - where do you get a piece that size? I might be looking for one soon to go over a counter top 11.5' long.

William

 

[ron in sc]

I bought it from a local shop that cuts mirrors and glass and the like. They charge by the square foot. My top is 25" x 72" and it cost $130.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

1/2"?? That's kind of thin for a wood top, no?

I would recommend stainless, but it's going to be more than regular steel. Shouldn't be more than a couple hundred $ I would think.

But still need more info as Rick said.

I was thinking the same thing.

I think the idea of adding the steel is to add strength and for ease of clean up. Personally I would start with at least 3/4" (my bench has 1" hardwood) and get stainless bonded to it.

 

[Ryan]

My bench is 3/4" plywood with 12 gauge galvanized steel sheet over that... VERY HEAVY and seems to be indestructable.... Best thing about it? Really easy to keep clean.

 

[sharpshooter]

My father in law was able to get me a steel table (3ft wide x 5ft long) picked it up for 30 bucks. This things massive. I put my vise on this rig and I can wale all day on this thing.

 

[URY914]

I'm using a steel hollow metal door. It's a exterior commerical door 3' x 7' x 1 3/8". Heavy as hell, but I can drop and engine on it. If you find a steel door supplier in your area they offen have doors that are returned or preped wrong and they sit in the warehouse. The warehouse manager will sell one out of the back door for pocket change.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Thanks a lot guys.

 

[89vert]

Here's mine .

It's 16 gauge stainless over two pieces of 3/4" plywood.The stainless is held down with a few beads of silicone .

I also used a piece of 2X2 aluminium angle for the edge.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Here's mine .

It's 16 gauge stainless over two pieces of 3/4" plywood.The stainless is held down with a few beads of silicone .

I also used a piece of 2X2 aluminium angle for the edge.

Very nice.

Is that one of those 5" Mastercraft vices from Canadian Tire? I have the same one, they were on sale for $19.99 a week or so ago

 

[bmwpower]

Here's mine .

It's 16 gauge stainless over two pieces of 3/4" plywood.The stainless is held down with a few beads of silicone .

I also used a piece of 2X2 aluminium angle for the edge.

And is that a bottle of wine I see?? Very classy looking (seriously) - good job.

 

[89vert]

And is that a bottle of wine I see?? Very classy looking (seriously) - good job.

Not a bottle of vino... lol...it's an old hand-pump style fire extinguisher.
The vise is a Record fron England .

 

[jarhead]

Not a bottle of vino... lol...it's an old hand-pump style fire extinguisher.
The vise is a Record fron England .

Not your average 20 dollar vise

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Ah, lol. Kicks my $20 chinese vice's ***. It looks like it, and since you're in Canada, I thought it might be the same one lol.

 

[ron in sc]

Lexan not good if you use chemicals.

Post #6 above shows when new. Photo below after about 2 months.

 

[DarrenD]

Here's mine .

It's 16 gauge stainless over two pieces of 3/4" plywood.The stainless is held down with a few beads of silicone .

I also used a piece of 2X2 aluminium angle for the edge.

wow, very impressive "workbench".
Looks very organized.
I hope mine turns out 1/4 as nice as that.

 

[brownbagg]

look it easy, cut you a piece of steel plate, about 1/4 thick, same size of table. lay on table, that it finish done, no need to fasten, its not going no where, about $50

 

[Will H]

I took the hillbilly approch and cut the outer skin off an old fridge. Bent it flat and hemmed it around a piece of 1/8" plywood. My arm was sore for a few days from all the hammering, but it turned out a bit better than I expected.

If the piece were wide enough I would have hemmed all 4 sides, but since it came up short I just screwed a 2x4 over the back. The metal & 1/8 ply assembly is then screwed to the 2x8 decking on my workbench.

The paint got torn up, but at my budget I can only afford to be concerned with function. If I ever care, I might coat it in POR-15, but its fine for now.

Cost: $10 (for plywood)

 

[67ElkyBryan]

A friend of mine got two 4x8 wood benches from his work they were going to throw out and gave me one. 4x4 legs with 3/4" particale board top. Brand new not a scratch on them. I split it down the middle to make two 2x8 benches. Put one in my garden shed, rested one edge on a 2x4 screwed to the wall. The other I found some scrap 4x4 to make a couple more legs. As you can imagine the top didn't hold up in the garage.
Since I work for a steel fabricator I asked one day if I could buy a 2x8 piece of sheet material. They shop foreman sheared me a piece and set it by our scrap pile and then said there as a piece the exact size I needed that they and just thrown out. It was 1/8" thick. I just set on top of the wood top. The only thing holding it down is the 4 bolts that bolt my vise to the bench. It's just plain black steel and can take a lot of abuse. Total cost was $0. I guess working for a structural steel shop has it advantages.
I also drug home a couple of 36" deep I beams about 16-18" long. At a 150 pounds a foot, they make great stands for a grinder or just to beat the hell out of other thing on. If they have any drop under 7-8' they will just pitch it rather than put it back in stock. Now if they would do that with the stainless material.