Workbench/table

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Since this would be directly related to building a go-kart if I get around to it.. I figure it could go here..

Me and the folks are having a difference of oppinion: Should a workbench be made out of wood, or metal? They want me to do it out of wood, because its 'easier' but, I would like to do it out of something that will stand up to my abuses/messes...

Would it be better to do it out of perhaps some old bed frames(people are always throwing these away) or a bunch of 2x4s.. and maybe a 3/4 plywood top, as opposed to a sheetmetal top...

Thanks...

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

I made mine out of wood, and covered it with galvanized roofing. Wood holds the oil, grease, and dirt and its very hard to keep parts clean (when your rebuilding engines this especially sucks).

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

I made mine out of wood, and covered it with galvanized roofing. Wood holds the oil, grease, and dirt and its very hard to keep parts clean (when your rebuilding engines this especially sucks).

Thought so... considering when I tore appart the engine of a lawnmower that was busted... it was from the 70s or 80s(old toro) it stained the concrete from the oil that leaked out... I figure that it would be 10x as hard, considering that the agrigate is not nearly as porous as the wood...

 

[freakboy]

I got a wooden bench in my garage and its a dirty mess... also you cant weld on it as you would want to with a work bench.. while theres this home made work bench at my dads work that is the perfect height for welding and its big you could build a car ontop of it if you wanted to!.. and if you use wood covered in metal and your using a torch it will heat the metal and burn the wood on the inside...

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

And this is why I dont trust my parent/grandparents..... they gunna end up having me burn down the house....

 

[Doc Sprocket]

It's really a catch-22. Wood absorbs gunk. Sure. And you can't weld on it without damaging it. True. But-
Wood offers much better traction. Having a part skating around on a bench while you're trying to apply some force is bloody infuriating.
Best of both worlds short of two benches, a sturdy wood top, with a steel sheet you can attach to the top when needed. If you MIG or TIG, or even arc in bursts, this'll do fine. I used to mig on a wood tabletop. If you're gas welding, you'll probably have to go all steel.
As far as the structure, I'm a better steelworker than a woodworker. Wood is cheaper, easier, and faster. Built right, it'll be plenty strong. I still prefer the undeniable bombproofness of steel.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

mmm... I see your pt.....

I guess I would perfer the less flamibility, rather than the traction... but at the same time, you are right that no traction = a big

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

I got a wooden bench in my garage and its a dirty mess... also you cant weld on it as you would want to with a work bench.. while theres this home made work bench at my dads work that is the perfect height for welding and its big you could build a car ontop of it if you wanted to!.. and if you use wood covered in metal and your using a torch it will heat the metal and burn the wood on the inside...

I dont use the table for welding, the metal is basically so i can keep my parts clean when im rebuilding engines. As for heating stuff up, i stick it in the vice for that.

 

[JHen]

Metal is superior IMO. Easier to keep clean. I would have a wood frame and a 14 gauge sheet metal top. Drill some holes and counter sink them then get some wood screws to hold it on.

If you are going to be rebuilding engines, then yes, metal is best. If you get it dirty, you can spray all sorts of degreaser on it and basically hose it off.

Wood will warp, soak up flammable liquids for a VERY long time, which is a major fire hazard, and is a hell of a lot harder to clean. It will also be a lot heavier then a wood frame metal top bench.

As far as traction goes, this is why man invented vises and clamps. You could also have a wood block handy that can be bolted down or somehow secured when needed.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

All good points. I think we all forgot that wood can be sealed/painted/varnished to kill the absorption issue, tho'.
Traction can be had on steel with a small rubber mat when required.
I got lucky. A few years ago, I managed to lay hands on *FREEBIE!* an all-steel welding table. It's got a 4x8' top of 3/16 plate and requires superhuman effort to move. I mounted a swing-away vise to one end. It's just awesome. Lotta steel in it.

 

[JHen]

Sealer/paint/varnish usually comes off with engine oil, gas and cleaners though.

 

[KieranM]

we use a timber bench, constant use for about 20 years, there is plenty chunks missing and its has burn marks. The timber absorbs sound so its quite and and extensions can be put on and taken off, (two vices both records one is no4 can remember the other).

One key thing, have the bench shoulder height, one mistake we done its too low and filing on the vises can a pain in the a$$ (and back lol).

 

[devino246]

we use a timber bench, constant use for about 20 years, there is plenty chunks missing and its has burn marks. The timber absorbs sound so its quite and and extensions can be put on and taken off, (two vices both records one is no4 can remember the other).

One key thing, have the bench shoulder height, one mistake we done its too low and filing on the vises can a pain in the a$$ (and back lol).

Shoulder height? you mean elbow height

 

[KieranM]

yea haha wrong part of the body haha thanks.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

There is epoxy...

 

[modelengineer]

I have a sealed wooden bench which doesn't absorb oil or gunk, doesn't catch fire when welding on it (just smokes a bit lol), and has been like that for 5 years so far and shows no sign of deteriorating.

I'd probably go with a small metal welding table and a larger sealed wooden bench for everything else.