Work bench Surfaces

barefooter

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Since the work bench height thread deteriorated pretty quickly, I will post my question in a separate topic. I have a new work bench built at the new house - right now it is out of bare plywood and I am going to stain it. It needs a top. I've heard steel, puckboard, etc. What is everyone using, and most of all where can I pick some up around Edmonton? There are 2 10' x 30" sections that I need to cover

Thanks gents


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zeebs

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STEEL! Bent on the back to keep parts from falling behind bench bent on the front to give it a nice look and smooth front edge. Its tough, easy to clean, parts slide easily across, and last forever.
 

Cyle

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Steel. Had wood on the old one, 1 1/2" thick, vise had massive washers and tore the vise through the wood. And after pounding out to many u-joints left the wood in rough shape.......Wood is way to soft for a bench for most uses.

Plus steel cleans so easily.
 

Snohog

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Russel metals Edmonton. We have delt with them and they are awesome, they will cut, form, bend and anything you need for a reasonable price
 

Snohog

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I would go stainless, it's good quality, the hotter it gets the harder it gets,,, till you cut through. But it's not cheap either. And as long as your not welding stainless on your stainless bench you should be fine.
Who ever welds on stainless anyways is just crazy....
 

CUSO

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Heavy gauge galvanized sheet metal is nice. It is a good hard surface, and will not rust as long as you don't grind the coating.... and a fraction of the cost.

Melamine, well if you don't work on your bench and want to replace it a lot.. ok sure.. LOL
 

barefooter

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Ok guys. Have the metal. 1/4" soft. However not stainless or galvanized. just bare sheet metal. Best - buddy got it for me so didn't spend any $

I am hesitant to galvanize it because it is going to chip hammering on it, etc. I like the look. Is there any good way to seal it so it doesn't oxidize all the time. Guess I could powder coat it but I would woory the same as galvanizing.

Thanks
 

~Rowdy~

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I'm doing galvanized (i think 18 guage i cant remember what i ordered) over 1 inch plywood. Using PL400 to glue it down. Bench is 13 feet do its two pieces together welded in the middle. If you have an ECCO there they can cut, bend and weld it for you.
 
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