Help! Need ideas to build the "ultimate" workbench

[Dargo]

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

Okay, I started checking out the prices for a 1/2" thick piece of 4' X 8' steel for my table top. So far, the best price I've gotten is $350 for the piece. It weighs 684 pounds. On the 2" x 2" square tubing, I was quoted $74 per 20' stick at 1/4" thick wall. 2" x 3" angle at 1/4" thick (20' pieces) were $37. I think I'm having sticker shock. That puts the material price for my one welding table up over $500! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif How do these material prices sound to you guys??

 

[Mike_C]

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

Does the top need to be one continuous piece? How about making in out of 2 or more sections? For the tube stuff I would definitely be checking scrapyards, but as I found out on my last project, even the scrapyards tend to sell at current market value which was $2.00 per pound at the time. I go them down to $1.50 for buying quantity. I hear steel is coming down now but don't know the current value.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

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

I like the "energy absorbing qualities" of a woodedn top. I can beat on stuff without the banging and rattling of steel. Just as I started bulding my last workbench, 2 BIG ol' heavy solid core doors became available. They're particle core, but with a heavy (thick) oak veneer surface. I then cover that with 1/4" masonite that can be replaced if (more like WHEN) it becomes too rough for continued use. If you're like me, and the work bench becomes a part-time anvil, the heavier the better. That helps absorb impacts too. (As you might be able to tell, I beat on things with a BIG hammer quite frequently.... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif That's 'cause I'm married and my wife knows how to shoot a gun)

 

[EddieWalker]

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

I thing a half inch sheet of steel is WAY overkill for a workbench top. If you frame it up and have some cross members to suport it, quarter inch is still probably too much.

Have you looked at the material and felt how stiff it is? That's an aweful lot of steel!!!

I'm not sure why you need to build to such extreme conditions by using steel in the first place. I have a steel workbench that I traded some work for that is really heavy duty, but every one I've ever built myself is from 2X4's and plywood.

I just build a frame and cross brace it on 12 inch centers. It's strong enough to take a beating and will last a lifetime. If I somehow manage to damage it real bad, I can easily, and cheaply repair it.

You can also easily add to it, build shelves, brackets and mount things.

One really nice feature that I put in my last workbench was to lower a section for my chopsaw.

 

[RobertN]

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

On an old episode of New Yankee Workshop, Norm was going over how to set up a shop. He showed various benches and tools.

A very good point that he made, was to have all the benches and tools the same height. He made his benches so his table saw, planer, drill press, mobile bench ect were all the same height. It made transfer of stuff from one bench or tool to another very easy. It also allowed long material to rest across two benches or tools.

You are talking about metal working, but the concept would still work. Especially when you have to move a heavy piece of metal from one bench to another ect.

 

[Jagmandave]

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

I wouldn't worry about 1/4" thick walled tubing either, unless you're going to be welding 6 cylinder cast iron diesel engine blocks or something! You only need to build it strong enough to hold what you can pick up and put on it.
The one I built is fairly light, yet it will hold anything I can pick up, easily............as to beating on it, I can beat on the anvil part of the vise with no problem, and on the table part if I'm trying to center punch to drill a hole or something, but that's about all the real pounding I do on it. It's a welding table, see..............
And if you're builing a welding table too, why not get some scrap pieces and weld them up? It'd be good practice if you need it.......
The plastic tube for welding rods is a great idea, also as a place to rest the wand in between welds, esp with a MIG or ARC welder. I also stuck a bolt on mine to attach the ground clamp, as long as the metal thing I'm welding is in contact with the top, it's grounded, and I don't have to keep resetting the clamp if I need to turn the piece over or something........

Mine's only about 2 feet square on top, so it's easy to move around the shop............

 

[Dargo]

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

Allrighty. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I had to reluctantly agree that a 1/2" top was too much; too much money! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I just unloaded my materials I went ahead and bought last night. I went with a 4' X 8' top made of 3/8" thick steel plate. That was stinking expensive enough!! I'm framing it with 4" channel (1/4" wall) and I'm going to make a lower shelf with the 2"X3" angle (1/4" wall) I bought. I'm going to make the lower shelf out of 1" plywood with the angle supporting it every 12" or 16".

I have 2 new blades for my chop saw, a spare blade for my portable band saw, a full tank of 75/25 gas for my MIG, and 30 pounds of wire. Hopefully I can make some smoke this weekend and at least get started.

I need to frame a notch in the back side of the table (and the top) to fit around a post in my pole barn so I can put the table where I need it. Framing the notch won't be a problem, but I want to be careful in cutting the notch out of the top. I can't afford to make any mistakes there. I'm thinking of using my portable band saw to cut it in. I need to make a 6" square notch. I don't have a torch that is worth a hoot, and a plasma cutter won't be on the list of items I'll buy until next year. So, it's using a sawsall and portable band saw unless someone can point me a better direction?!

 

[Jagmandave]

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

I've had a lot of luck with a 4 1/2 " grinder with cutoff blades, just start on the edge and work inward. When you get to the crosscut, just do a slow plunge cut till you get as close to the edges of the other cuts, then use your saw to cut the last bits.
Seems to be quite a bit faster than a saw, and easier to control for a straight cut, especally in 3/8 " thick material. Should be a great bench when you're done, post some pics as it comes together!
You sure you can't just notch the post? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Dargo]

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

Okay, I got my welding table mostly done this weekend. I haven't made it all perty and painted it or anything yet, but it is in place and, surprisingly enough, all four legs sit firmly on the ground. Since the table weighs in at just under 750 pounds, you can imagine that it doesn't wobble much. Here is a pic I took with my phone. There is a level on the top of the table. You can't see it in this pic, but the bubble is dead center of the marks. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I was going to make a setup to level the legs, but it ended up sitting perfectly level without them. I won't complain!

 

[Mike_C]

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

Nice!