New steel workbench plans

[SSLance]

Progress has been made on the workbench. IMS sent me a 15% coupon for my first order of steel so I put it to good use.



I ended up with 2.5" 0.188 wall for the frame and 2" 0.120 wall for the slide ins. Hope to start sparking welds on Saturday.

[Goosesdad]

Stout!!

[79 Camaro]

Another thing to consider is on your top plate take it somewhere that has a sheet metal brake and have them bend a 1" 90 degree lip on all sides. It will make the top plate much stronger.

[SSLance]

I've seen and thought about welding a second layer of plate under the edge around the top to not only make it appear thicker but to add strength as well.

I figured you were going to say to bend the back edge up to make a backsplash edge and I've thought about that as well...to keep stuff from falling off the back of the top.

[79 Camaro]

On my welding/work table has a vertical piece full length back splash about 6" high that is square to the top plate so I can use it to clamp and weld 90 degree stuff.

[SSLance]

That is a great idea... Thanks...

[79 Camaro]

Not to rain on your project and already purchased top plate but did you consider stainless instead of hot rolled steel?

I used to work for a custom machine company and we used a ton of 11 gauge stainless for different applications. Some times 10 gauge.

It's not cheap but it never rusts. Very tough. Instead of welding it to your tube steel just drill and tap then flat head 10-24 bolts to hold it down.

It will look like new forever.

Man I like spending other peoples money

[SSLance]

I had to wait until I had a coupon to be able to afford the steel I did purchase!!

I've never had anything but wood benches so this is all new to me. I still haven't decided on what or how I'm going to do to finish this top but I know this...it won't catch on fire when I weld on it!!

[TheJDMan]

Lance,
Here's another source of metal for you. I buy a lot of metal from these guys in small lots from their Richmond location. They have a store in Phoenix if I remember right. As for the surface, my table is bare steel since it would be pointless to try and paint it. If it gets a little rusty I just run a sanding disk over it and that takes care of the rust. In Phoenix I can't imagine you will have much of a rust problem due to humidity.


https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/

[SSLance]

Thanks Steve... I had a quote from them as well that was within dollars of the other retail metal places around only it was a bit more convienant for me to get too. The coupon made it worth the trip to get to IMS though.

I'm considering putting g a clear coat on the top but like you, I'll probably just leave it raw.