Referring back to an earlier thread http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=194392

I'm planning a new work bench for general baking but also for welding. Frame will be 40*40*3 box section. I have a 2.5*1m sheet of 25mm MDF salvaged from work for the top. I've also salvaged a similar size sheet of 2mm mild steel sheet.

The MDF will certainly give the strength and flatness in after, but will the 2mm steel give enough thickness for welding? Slight concern is igniting the MDF underneath!

Looking at 6mm steel sheet but it's £££ compared to what I've salvaged for free.

2mm will be enough for general use.

The MDF will give it enough support and if it's 2mm, or 6mm, the grounding is the same.

well depends what you want to do on it

if you want to use it as a fixture face and don't want it to move when light tacked on the thicker the better

I made my bench from 2*2 box section and then covered it with 8 mm plate

heavy but never regretted it , quite often light tack bits to top to make a temporary fixture.
just grind off and flat after .

if your not going to weld to the bench then 2 mm will be fine c/s screw it down every 200 mm or so to keep it flat

best welders benches are made from 25mm + plate !!!! just for info ( have seen them out of 50 mm )



[Edited on 15/11/14 by bart]

Hadn't considered welding to the bench itself!

Mine is 20mm thick. We weld stuff to it all the time. Stops it moving around while you're heating/hitting and bending etc.

you don't need top go thick on whole bench
just say a 2>3 ft square , big enough to make most things

also consider how you mount the vice , you would be suppressed what you will end up doing in the vice
and if not very securely mounted it will move all over the place.

and not wishing to teach you to suck eggs , mount the jaw back over the front of the bench front so you can get stuff down to the floor. 6 or 5 " best , get one with a flat Annville on the back supper handy for flattening stuff or giving it a big wallop

hope I haven't offended you !

cheers Bart

If you don't want to weld to it, why not use ally plate?
won't get spatter stuck to it, will disperse heat best too
could even drill and tap it for fixturing if you got something like 10mm
Its what i've seen done on big money stuff like desert racers' chassis

quote:

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Originally posted by bart
you don't need top go thick on whole bench
just say a 2>3 ft square , big enough to make most things

also consider how you mount the vice , you would be suppressed what you will end up doing in the vice
and if not very securely mounted it will move all over the place.

and not wishing to teach you to suck eggs , mount the jaw back over the front of the bench front so you can get stuff down to the floor. 6 or 5 " best , get one with a flat Annville on the back supper handy for flattening stuff or giving it a big wallop

hope I haven't offended you !

cheers Bart

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