Help! Need ideas to build the "ultimate" workbench

[have_blue]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

If the oak is not properly cured, it will warp on you. If it's fairly well cured, you can alternate the grain, glue, and through-bolt and it will remain flat.

Hey, since it's custom cut, why not 2"x4"? Then you can bang heavy stuff on it with little or no bounce... even over a 6' span.

 

[Jagmandave]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

Here's a pic of my portable welding "bench". The wheels allow me to move it where I need it, the vise is small, but will hold pretty much anything I need long enough to tack it or weld it, the rubber feet on the front legs keep it from moving around much. It's fairly light duty, but then so are most of the things I need to weld on it. I've found it really handy tho.........

 

[Mike_C]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

That is exactly what I need! Thank you! I even have an extra
vise laying on the floor that I can attach to it. Now I just need to find some sheet steel for the top.

Mike

 

[Mike_C]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

Of course the interesting part of that picture is the background. lockers, a white outfit, very clean floor -- hmmm. a hospital?

 

[Jagmandave]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

No, it's a manufacturing facility - food plant, hence the cleanliness needed, I am the facilities manager. The top is 1/4" plate, not sheet metal. I made it out of leftover pieces I had lying around the shop, which is why the lower legs are made of two pieces butt welded, at first the legs were too short and it would tip over easily. (I guess that doesn't show up in the pic -darn sizre limits!) The little rubber feet really work well to keep it from scooting around when I'm working on it, and with the wheels, I just tip it up and roll it where ever I need to work.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

I use one all steel welding table on wheels, approx 42"x48", removeable vices which interchange. The table has expanded metal top.

If solid top needed (which is seldom for me), throw on a sheet of thin steel.

If wood table is needed, throw on a piece of plywood.

If a paint table is needed, throw on a piece of cardboard.

Works for me.

 

[Mike_C]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

sorry I didn't really mean "sheet metal" I knew it was at least 1/4".
I was thinking steel in sheets and it came out sheet metal. Thanks again for the pic. I'm very good at building things once I see something, but I'm not very good at coming up with the idea from scratch.

 

[Dargo]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

I picked up a piece of expanded metal to use for the "shelf" under the top. Now my problem is that I went and checked out a friend's welding table with a 1/4" top. He showed me why he would use a thicker top. With the constant need to hammer or pound on some thing, he showed me where he gets too much bounce with his top. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Now, where in the heck am I going to find a 4' X 8' sheet of 1/2" metal?! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I called the scrap metal places and they laughed. I'm afraid to check the price of new.

 

[Mike_C]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

I am planning to build one of these portable welding benches soon. A guy I work with had a wonderful suggestion that I also plan to implement: take some 3" pvc pipe, and mount several of them under the table with the holes in front and the pipes tilted back slightly (back ends capped) and use them to hold all the various sizes of welding rods that I currently have in boxes laying all over the garage. Another great idea!

 

[Mike_C]

Re: Help! Need ideas to build the \"ultimate\" workbench

I went to Lowe's home improvement at lunch today. All they have in 1/4" is a 12"x12" piece for $30 each! Ouch! I would need six of them. $180 for the top? I don't think so.