Anyone have/built them?

I have a bench about 2'x12' I want to put a steel top on. madeout of 2x6 and 2x4 so it's pretty strong.

With a 2x6 bench top.. how thick does the steel need to be to withstand dropping stuff, hammer blows etc. 1/8" thick enough or do I need to go to 3/16 or 1/4?

Then what did you guys coat it with to keep it looking new... was thinking maybe white POR-15 for the top.

Originally posted by twaldher
Anyone have/built them?

I have a bench about 2'x12' I want to put a steel top on. madeout of 2x6 and 2x4 so it's pretty strong.

With a 2x6 bench top.. how thick does the steel need to be to withstand dropping stuff, hammer blows etc. 1/8" thick enough or do I need to go to 3/16 or 1/4?

Then what did you guys coat it with to keep it looking new... was thinking maybe white POR-15 for the top.


If youre just topping the existing bench to 1/8 is fine.

Don't paint it, so you can use it as a common ground during welding, and just hit it with a soft wheel every now and then
ericfilar@fatcity

I had a metal toped bench at my last house. I totally dug it. Keep it unpainted. 1/8" should be fine unless you're looking to put serious weight on it.

Another nice thing is being able to tack stuff to the table to line everything up right when building stuff.

Pete

Originally posted by mike
I had a metal toped bench at my last house. I totally dug it. Keep it unpainted. 1/8" should be fine unless you're looking to put serious weight on it.

heaviest it would normally see is a transfer case, maybe a tranny... but doubt it. (2' deep isn't that much room, and is all the deeper I want to go.

how bad did it rust on you with no paint on it?

Mine never rusted. It was in my workshop. If it got wet, I just dried it off

I now have metal topped benches in the new shop at school.
I ordered non painted cuz paint will just scratch off and get in the parts you are working on.:D
If wipin' the top off after working isn't enough to keep a THIN film of oil on the top to prevent rust....
You are not working enough
:flipoff2:

Cory

Our tops are particle board with maybe 3/32nds metal top and sides. Wrapped around the bottom about 4 inches.

my brother just had his done in stainless

Thin is fine for light work - It you're really going to use it go with 1/4.

Mine's 1/2" - that waywhen you drop something on it there's no cheap tinny sound and it you dent it, your a better man than me.

Oh yea...
That particle board inner is stacked about 3 inches thick then clad in steel.

Cory