thesecondprize
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 02:20 PM |
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Ally OK for workbench surface?
Hi Guys,
I've been making a workbench for my garage which is nearly done, but I want to cover the main work surface with something metal - currently
it's just an old chipboard door.
Would 0.9mm Aluminium be OK for this, as it's quite a lot cheaper than buying stainless? E.g.
£45
versus
£87
What do you think?
[Edited on 30/1/12 by thesecondprize]
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jossey
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 02:30 PM |
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It would be easier to make it from steel as you could easily weld it to the frame.
Thanks
David Johnson
Building my tiger avon slowly but surely.
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loggyboy
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 02:33 PM |
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might be a bit soft, ul find it will deform, scratch and mark very easily, leaving sharp edges to cut yourself on.
Why not just get some 2nd hand kitchen worktop?
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sdh2903
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 02:58 PM |
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As above, I used a cheap worktop which I got from b and q, it was damaged at one end only paid 20 quid for it and its solid for a workbench.
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tilly819
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 03:16 PM |
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I have an ally top on my bench, carnt remember which grade it is as it was built about 15 years ago but its about 18 or 16SWG and made of a pritty
tough alloy, yes it does mark and scratch but iv naver had any trouble with it.
its backed up by some 3/4 ply and screwed down with countersunk screws. very easy to keep clean, easy to see things when you drop them (light
background), dosnt go rusty and nice an smooth too
tilly
F20C Haynes roadster 440 BHP/Tonne www.youtube.com/handmadeextreme
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T66
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 03:55 PM |
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I have kitchen worktop - works fine
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designer
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 04:00 PM |
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For dirty work and heavy objects a metal top is best as it will not damage and is easy to clean. For general work hardboard is good, as can lino.
For small dirty jobs a piece of cardboard will suffice.
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jossey
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 04:04 PM |
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METAL IS BETTER as you can just earth the table and your ready to weld.
Thanks
David Johnson
Building my tiger avon slowly but surely.
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fazerruss
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 05:55 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by jossey
METAL IS BETTER as you can just earth the table and your ready to weld.
And welding splatter will not stick to it either.(unless you are welding ally of course!)
"if assholes could fly this place would be an airport"
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thesecondprize
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 06:39 PM |
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Thanks everyone - choice is between ally (cheap) and stainless (expensive) really
I can't use a kitchen top because a.) I doubt I'll find one big enough (its 198x77 cm) and b.) the frame is built around a solid chipboard
door. Unless it matched the thickness perfectly, it won't be as good.
I tried power-planning the flaking white paint off the door, but it left quit deep ridges so I want to cover it with something ideally because it
looks unsightly!
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designer
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 07:04 PM |
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Why not just replace the 'solid chipboard door' (it's probably a fire door) with another, they are available for £25 in my old town
Leeds.
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jacko
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 07:53 PM |
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16g black iron [ steel ] is what you want get it bent like a tray and drop it over the frame
Jacko
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thesecondprize
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 08:30 PM |
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Will the black iron not corrode?
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gottabedone
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| posted on 30/1/12 at 08:58 PM |
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double thickness half inch exterior ply and add a couple of 4x2 legs in the middle to stop it bouncing too much.
Steve
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thesecondprize
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| posted on 31/1/12 at 08:34 PM |
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Sorted!
Ordered a sheet 2500x1250mm of 22g bright galvanised. £35 ex vat, inc delivery... That should do it! 
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