Metal Workbench Top Over Particle Board

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I bought one of those workbenches that are made out of pallet racking last year. The bench will be used outside without an cover over it. I would like to put a metal covering over it so the particle board is protected from the weather. It would also be good to use the bench for welding to.

What type of metal sheet and thickness would you use?

Would your specifications include using a galvanised sheet?

The workbench has two layers of particle board. The first forms the top of the bench with some overhang past the pallet rails. The second layer of particle board is a shelf that is cut flush to the pallet rails.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Homestar]

If you’re going to be welding on it, then the timber top will need to go - getting a piece of sheet metal folded along 2 edges to fit over the frame would be the go then you’d be able to get away with something quite thin - maybe 3mm. If you wanted to do heavy stuff in it or want a plate that was self supporting over around 600mm, then at least 5mm thick, which will be expensive. Again, if you’re welding on it don’t go for anything galvanised.

[cjc_td5]

You'd very rarely need to weld over anything like the full bench top. I'd use a timber bench top and if needed have a small metal plate (either temporarily lifted in to place or permanently up one end) to weld or do heavy stuff on.

[Slunnie]

We have found that light metal benchtops used as welding benches end up warping from all of the weld contraction on them. We have pretty solid welding benches now (well, 12yo now), I'm not sure what the thickness is, maybe 6mm and they have been fantastic as 2400x1200 welding benches.

I would just buy plate to replace the timber if you're going to weld on it.

[Tombie]

A nice piece of 16mm will do the trick (jokes) [emoji41]

* I say 16mm because I have it sitting here at work [emoji106]

[Homestar]

A nice piece of 16mm will do the trick (jokes) [emoji41]

* I say 16mm because I have it sitting here at work [emoji106]

Was going to suggest that as a mates workshop has a 16mm steel welding bench and it's brilliant. Think he paid $200 for it from an auction lucky sod...

[gromit]

Probably better to have a separate welding bench, I inherited one of these (supplied by Hare & Forbes).

https://images.machineryhouse.com.au/products_originals/W07832B/700/Main.jpg


Previously the father-in-law had made his own from a couple of pieces of thick plate, some lawnmower wheels, a scissor jack (for raising & lowering the wheels) and whatever pipe/angle he had laying around. It used to have an antique stick welder mounted underneath.
This had been used for many years and I still have it because it's handy to move around to where I'm welding.
The handles for moving it swing down out of the way and there are lots of holders & brackets for goodness knows what, probably 'continuous development'.


https://live.staticflickr.com/4467/37448719531_70c71e7aa8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Z4dtC8)DSCN4533 (https://flic.kr/p/Z4dtC8) by Colin Radley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152321353@N07/), on Flickr


Colin

[Ancient Mariner]

Pic, Plasma,oxy and TIG welding table.The circle table is held on with one clamp and is only put on for cutting circles.The tile is a 2 feet X 1 inch thick zinc alume clad millboard that just sits on if needed.They are a throw way item as I have have several hundred if any body wants some[bighmmm]

AM

[Don 130]

Pic, Plasma,oxy and TIG welding table.The circle table is held on with one clamp and is only put on for cutting circles.The tile is a 2 feet X 1 inch thick zinc alume clad millboard that just sits on if needed.They are a throw way item as I have have several hundred if any body wants some[bighmmm]

AM

That's a very snazzy circle cutter AM
Don.

[Don 130]

Hello All,

I bought one of those workbenches that are made out of pallet racking last year. The bench will be used outside without an cover over it. I would like to put a metal covering over it so the particle board is protected from the weather. It would also be good to use the bench for welding to.

What type of metal sheet and thickness would you use?

Would your specifications include using a galvanised sheet?

The workbench has two layers of particle board. The first forms the top of the bench with some overhang past the pallet rails. The second layer of particle board is a shelf that is cut flush to the pallet rails.

Kind regards
Lionel

I wouldn't be relying on particle board outside. It will suck up the moisture like weetbix. Replace the chipboard with some decent thick planking.

Don.

[Gav 110]

Hello All,

I bought one of those workbenches that are made out of pallet racking last year. The bench will be used outside without an cover over it. I would like to put a metal covering over it so the particle board is protected from the weather. It would also be good to use the bench for welding to.

What type of metal sheet and thickness would you use?

Would your specifications include using a galvanised sheet?

The workbench has two layers of particle board. The first forms the top of the bench with some overhang past the pallet rails. The second layer of particle board is a shelf that is cut flush to the pallet rails.

Kind regards
Lionel

Hi Lionel
As people have said, the particle board will suck up moisture and fall apart in no time
If you don’t want to replace the top, paint it especially the edges. If you want to cover it with metal for a welding bench maybe seal it with pva glue and water 50/50 mix and put a sheet of fibre cement on top before the steel
[emoji481][emoji481]
Gav

[Lionelgee]

Hello Gav,

Thanks for the tip about painting the particle board. I think I will follow Don's suggestion of replacing the particle board with some thick planking. I reckon hardwood would be the go - with a significant overhang.

I will also heed caution from other posters and look at having a separate welding table.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

What size overhang - wider than 30 mm have you found to be user-friendly when clamping things to the front and back of your workbench?

After using my pallet racking based workbench for a while I found that the current particle board overhang of 30 mm is not wide enough when clamping.

I went one of the timber yards and had a browse of their stock. I found some 120 mm wide and 25 mm thick hardwood that I will replace the particle board with. After receiving some responses I will be able to work out the dimensions of the front and back overhang and know how much timber to buy. I appreciate your input.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Homestar]

I have 50mm overhang all around on welding bench, which works well, but mine also has holes throughout to use clamps through as well.