Work bench Surfaces

[woody_tobius_jr]

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

One of my benches has a melamine top on it, 8" vise on it, and I really don't baby it, I put 2 layers of 3/4" MDF and then 3/4" melamine on top. 10 years old and only has a couple of scuffs on it. I like it, because if I drop parts on it, they're easy to find. I would have liked a steel top, but at the time it wasn't in the budget.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

My old bench was a "what I had laying around". 1/4" sandwiched between 1-1/4 plywood left over from a house build...I think it was 1-1/4 anyway had the top bent up at the back and front bent down then PL preamium spead like a mofo between all 3 pieaces. Then set a couple thounsand # of flanges valves what ever else I had laying around. Left it for a week....went on vacation. It was awsome it took the rattel out of it, I hate benches when you set a hammer down it ripples the sound across the top. that bench was 10 feet long X 32 deep and I welded 34" legs on it hiltied to the floor. painted the bottom/legs left the top clear, every once and a while I brought out the buffing wheel and polished her up. It was nice to be able to tack weld a jig or braket to it if needed.

 

[Mike270412]

goodngrubby has the sexiest work bench I have seen.If he reads this maybe he will post some pics...

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Since I just finished this 20 mins ago I figured I'd resurrect this thread while I have a beer!!
Just have to lacquer the nose piece tomorrow ! Turned out good I think and cheap! All in I might be $145

 

[mb1]

Looks great!

I used 3 solid core wood doors. Paid $10ea at architectural clearinghouse.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Looks great!

I used 3 solid core wood doors. Paid $10ea at architectural clearinghouse.

Without pics!!!! It never happened!
Thx

 

[snochuk]

Old thread but do not use galvanized coating for a welding surface. The spawling will burn the coating a bit and you get a little galvicon poisoning each time unless you are wearing a NIOSH respirator.

Bare steel or stainless for metal surface.

 

[neilsleder]

Since I just finished this 20 mins ago I figured I'd resurrect this thread while I have a beer!!
Just have to lacquer the nose piece tomorrow ! Turned out good I think and cheap! All in I might be $145

That looks to good, you won't want to put anything dirty on there!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[neilsleder]

Old thread but do not use galvanized coating for a welding surface. The spawling will burn the coating a bit and you get a little galvicon poisoning each time unless you are wearing a NIOSH respirator.

Bare steel or stainless for metal surface.

It takes a lot more then a few sparks to get zinc chills. You got to weld lots before that happens. But bare or stainless would be better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Old thread but do not use galvanized coating for a welding surface. The spawling will burn the coating a bit and you get a little galvicon poisoning each time unless you are wearing a NIOSH respirator.

Bare steel or stainless for metal surface.

I had a metal top before. I liked it. But very hard on tools. Hence the wood top. I still might put a steel plate in middle to mount vise to, haven't decided. I'm also going to build a rolling weld table so best of both worlds I guess.

 

[pipes]

goodngrubby has the sexiest work bench I have seen.If he reads this maybe he will post some pics...

How's that for sexy. I went with a steel top. Instead of using lemon pledge to polish the counter top I use WD40.

 

[~Rowdy~]

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.

This is how my bench turned out.

 

[pipes]

This is how my bench turned out.

View attachment 190161

View attachment 190162

View attachment 190163

I've got to get me one of those Neon sighs.

 

[X-Treme]

I've got to get me one of those Neon sighs.

But your name isn't Rowdy, so that would be kinda silly.

 

[marbelizer]

If there is anything I have learned in this post is that you are all neat freaks with your garage. I cant keep mine organized for the life of me.

 

[tiger666]

I was thinking the same thing.I usually have the next two jobs spread out on bench before I'm don the first one lol.

If there is anything I have learned in this post is that you are all neat freaks with your garage. I cant keep mine organized for the life of me.

 

[101110101101]

This is how my bench turned out.

View attachment 190161

View attachment 190162

View attachment 190163

That is seriously one of the nicest work areas I've seen.....

 

[OVERKILL 19]

View attachment 190158View attachment 190159

How's that for sexy. I went with a steel top. Instead of using lemon pledge to polish the counter top I use WD40.

Very nice!
I just don't like scratches in my Snap on wrenches for no reason!

 

[250mark1]

Here's my benches with stainless steel tops

 

[pipes]

But your name isn't Rowdy, so that would be kinda silly.

ya I guess you're right.