What thickness box section should you use for desks, workbenches etc

[neilm71]

I've got a Clarke 130en which seems to be good for welding box section upto 3mm ( I've not yet tried higher).

For future projects I'm thinking of a workbench for the garage to be used with a vice, grinder etc, an office desk and a lab bench with a shelf.

My question is, what thickness square tube is suitable?
I'm thinking long the lines of 25x25 2mm.

For the workbench I may use angle steel instead like 40x40 but I guess thicker material may be needed.

Also has anyone thought of using paving slabs for a work bench top. I'm think of a good heavy fireproof surface that could be used for welding and is easily replaceable.

 

[scotty-stoke]

id probably use 30x30x3 I wouldn't use slabs as the heat will make them explode

 

[3MPS]

Well the paving slabs aren't conductive so you would need to clamp to the work piece or use another sheet on top anyway.

I would say paving slabs would be as heavy or worse than 10mm steel plate so 25x25x2 box probably isn't strong enough

 

[neilm71]

I did think of plate but I can't find anyone who supplies.
5-6mm sheet seem hugely expensive from what I found with online suppliers

 

[Mr shiney]

My workbench is 25x25 box with 3mm plate. Reinforced under the vice with extra 5mm. Gets the crap beaten out of it all the time. Took my Landrover engine without a creak or groan.

The 3mm has a smooth surface so great for setting stuff up for welding and a nice surface to work on for other stuff.

 

[3MPS]

I've just paid £127 for a 10mm plate 2mx1m

 

[Spark plug]

Be careful concrete can explode if it gets too hot.

 

[Wallace]

Be careful concrete can explode if it gets too hot.

Great to watch from a distance!

For the office and lab bench 1.6mm (18SWG) ERW box would be fine, a welding bench dependant on needs.

 

[langy]

I have 50 x 50 x 3mm frame on mine, it don't move ever

 

[Spark plug]

Great to watch from a distance!

Frightens the s**t out of you when burning close to concrete and forget to put a bit of tin down.

 

[scotty-stoke]

Yes it does go with a loud bang ive even had it happen with some tin put down

 

[Wallace]

I have 50 x 50 x 3mm frame on mine, it don't move ever

I would suspect your bench lacks movement as you know how to use tools correctly, especially a file!

 

[steviec_lj]

With the right prep you can probably push it to 5mm thick.

I've just paid £127 for a 10mm plate 2mx1m

I'll be cheeky, and ask where you got this from? After a sheet for my own bench to be honest, had thought about using three sheets of 3mm, or a combination of offcuts I can source, but it'll be about the same price in the end.

 

[daleyd]

On a related but slightly different topic, what would be the best material for making a welding cart out of?

 

[Hitch]

If its properly dry it doesn't barely do it. Its the heated water
I wouldn't use paving slabs, doesn't take that much to crack them, and you probably chip them every time you hit something on them....

Workbench frame wise, for garage/home workshop use i'd be looking at 40x40x3 box with 6mm plate.

 

[Mr shiney]

On a related but slightly different topic, what would be the best material for making a welding cart out of?

Made mine from steel and aluminium.

 

[3MPS]

With the right prep you can probably push it to 5mm thick.



I'll be cheeky, and ask where you got this from? After a sheet for my own bench to be honest, had thought about using three sheets of 3mm, or a combination of offcuts I can source, but it'll be about the same price in the end.

Doncaster Steel Supplies. +Vat of course.

I think when I looked, it was about 156 at Parker's if they deliver to you.

 

[daleyd]

It was your pics on your other thread that inspired me to think about making one!
What size box was the frame made from? I have 2 bottles the same size and I like the idea of having them on a trolley, at the moment I have to drag them out when I need to weld and my back is starting to complain!!

Also what size castors did you use? Sorry to be nosey!!

 

[Mr shiney]

The box section is 30x30 at the bottom, the uprights are the same. Top deck horizontal arms are 30mm angle bracket. Front and rear of the top deck has 25x25m box section and the handle is 10mm black rod.

Bottom deck supports are 25x25 angle iron and there is a bit of 25x25 box that goes across between the bottom of the uprights. This allowed me to use 2mm aluminium plate and still be very strong. The cable holders are bike brake disks that I polished clean with a poly disk in the grinder and then powder coated in a candy blue tint clear lacquer.

Wheels are 75mm heavy duty casters from ebay. Front set are locking castors.

Endless loop ratchet strap fastens the cylinders securely to the trolly.

End result is a lightweight but incredibly strong and easy to move around.

 

[Kent]

3mm min wall in RHS if on a welding bench 40mm or greater, personally I should use 4mm up and have on mine. RHS is stronger than RSA in respect of it being harder to twist but using angle I should up-step the size and thickness (provided you can still make a sound weld with your kit) using it.
At the end of the day its a lot to do with how you design it (were the loads are transferred) I am sure with the correct design and a few gussets etc you could possibly make a very sound bench out of some very thin wall stuff BUT I know its a lot easier to just use heavier stuff!

Paving slabs will break under stress and as others have said explode when heated as a slab will easy break both your knees broken at waist high I shouldn't go that route period! Better to speak to kitchen installers for some waste or second hand worktop and clad over it with steel or just use 3mm steel and a goodly amount of cross-members (stich weld to these from underside) and place one to take your vice mounting bolts