I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

That's a pretty substantial plate. Obviously, it is also a substantial
bench but I would be wondering what you are working on that would need
that. Presumably you have an anvil for serious hammering? If you do a
lot of rivetting on awkward objects I can see there might be a case for
it. But on the assumption you are not handling anything weighing more
than a couple of hundredweight I would have thought that 3 mm or so
would be fine.

The price sounds about right to me, though.

On 24/11/2015 22:21, newshound wrote:
On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

That's a pretty substantial plate. Obviously, it is also a substantial
bench but I would be wondering what you are working on that would need
that. Presumably you have an anvil for serious hammering? If you do a
lot of rivetting on awkward objects I can see there might be a case for
it. But on the assumption you are not handling anything weighing more
than a couple of hundredweight I would have thought that 3 mm or so
would be fine.

The price sounds about right to me, though.

I've no idea what thickness would be appropriate. I picked 6mm because I
could just about get that on by myself, but I have been starting to
think that really it's not thick enough to be seriously solid yet is
also a bit OTT for what I'm (realistically) likely to be doing over the
next few years - engine work, bit of light MIG welding, bashing of
assorted things (the anvil gets used but it sits on the bench).

On 24/11/2015 23:01, wrote:

I've no idea what thickness would be appropriate. I picked 6mm because I
could just about get that on by myself, but I have been starting to
think that really it's not thick enough to be seriously solid yet is
also a bit OTT for what I'm (realistically) likely to be doing over the
next few years - engine work, bit of light MIG welding, bashing of
assorted things (the anvil gets used but it sits on the bench).

Isn't having a softer top, ie wood of some kind, a good idea because it
won't hurt things put on it? It'll get beaten up, yes, but not
terminally so.

Clive George wrote:
On 24/11/2015 23:01, wrote:

I've no idea what thickness would be appropriate. I picked 6mm because I
could just about get that on by myself, but I have been starting to
think that really it's not thick enough to be seriously solid yet is
also a bit OTT for what I'm (realistically) likely to be doing over the
next few years - engine work, bit of light MIG welding, bashing of
assorted things (the anvil gets used but it sits on the bench).

Isn't having a softer top, ie wood of some kind, a good idea because it
won't hurt things put on it? It'll get beaten up, yes, but not
terminally so.


He probably wants to weld on it sometimes.

On 25/11/2015 01:25, F Murtz wrote:
Clive George wrote:
On 24/11/2015 23:01, wrote:

I've no idea what thickness would be appropriate. I picked 6mm because I
could just about get that on by myself, but I have been starting to
think that really it's not thick enough to be seriously solid yet is
also a bit OTT for what I'm (realistically) likely to be doing over the
next few years - engine work, bit of light MIG welding, bashing of
assorted things (the anvil gets used but it sits on the bench).

Isn't having a softer top, ie wood of some kind, a good idea because it
won't hurt things put on it? It'll get beaten up, yes, but not
terminally so.


He probably wants to weld on it sometimes.

and there will sometimes be liquids running around

On 24/11/2015 22:21, newshound wrote:
On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

That's a pretty substantial plate. Obviously, it is also a substantial
bench but I would be wondering what you are working on that would need
that. Presumably you have an anvil for serious hammering? If you do a
lot of rivetting on awkward objects I can see there might be a case for
it. But on the assumption you are not handling anything weighing more
than a couple of hundredweight I would have thought that 3 mm or so
would be fine.

The price sounds about right to me, though.


Yes I'd go for 3mm plate. 6mm is a bit on the heavy side for the size given.

In message , BobH
writes
On 24/11/2015 22:21, newshound wrote:
On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

That's a pretty substantial plate. Obviously, it is also a substantial
bench but I would be wondering what you are working on that would need
that. Presumably you have an anvil for serious hammering? If you do a
lot of rivetting on awkward objects I can see there might be a case for
it. But on the assumption you are not handling anything weighing more
than a couple of hundredweight I would have thought that 3 mm or so
would be fine.

The price sounds about right to me, though.


Yes I'd go for 3mm plate. 6mm is a bit on the heavy side for the size given.

My carpenter tenant was also insisting on 6mm for a metal working bench
top. He sourced some suitable offcuts from a ship repair business at
Southampton. Paid £30/sheet but I don't have the dimensions.

He says E-Bay offered choices including some in Wales.

--
Tim Lamb

On 25/11/15 09:07, BobH wrote:
On 24/11/2015 22:21, newshound wrote:
On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

That's a pretty substantial plate. Obviously, it is also a substantial
bench but I would be wondering what you are working on that would need
that. Presumably you have an anvil for serious hammering? If you do a
lot of rivetting on awkward objects I can see there might be a case for
it. But on the assumption you are not handling anything weighing more
than a couple of hundredweight I would have thought that 3 mm or so
would be fine.

The price sounds about right to me, though.


Yes I'd go for 3mm plate. 6mm is a bit on the heavy side for the size
given.

I have 3mm plate on my benches, no need for any thicker than that.

On 24/11/2015 22:21, newshound wrote:
On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

That's a pretty substantial plate. Obviously, it is also a substantial
bench but I would be wondering what you are working on that would need
that. Presumably you have an anvil for serious hammering? If you do a
lot of rivetting on awkward objects I can see there might be a case for
it. But on the assumption you are not handling anything weighing more
than a couple of hundredweight I would have thought that 3 mm or so
would be fine.

The price sounds about right to me, though.


When I need any steel I just go down local fabricators ... you can get
pieces easy for cash.

6mm does seem a bit too heavy

On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

Thanks, folks, for making me rethink - I opted for 4mm at a cost of £48
for 1300x750.
One more question - about preventing rust. I don't want to paint it so
plan to give it a coat of hard wax polish every now and again - is there
a better approach?

On 01/12/2015 11:56, wrote:
On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

Thanks, folks, for making me rethink - I opted for 4mm at a cost of £48
for 1300x750.
One more question - about preventing rust. I don't want to paint it so
plan to give it a coat of hard wax polish every now and again - is there
a better approach?

That would probably work, but don't forget what mineral oil can achieve.
When I started metalwork lessons at school, everything we made was
finished by draw-filing and then going down through the emery papers
with liberal amounts of oil. Mild steel finished that way is actually
quite rust-resistant. My approach for a steel bench would be rub it down
with oil-soaked steel wool, repeating the treatment any time you notice
a rust patch developing. Indeed, that's what I still do for things like
lathe beds and chucks.

newshound wrote:

That would probably work, but don't forget what mineral oil can achieve.
When I started metalwork lessons at school, everything we made was
finished by draw-filing and then going down through the emery papers
with liberal amounts of oil. Mild steel finished that way is actually
quite rust-resistant.

That brings back memories. I still have a few such pieces in
reasonable condition after over 50 years.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Plant amazing Acers.

In article , wrote:
On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

Thanks, folks, for making me rethink - I opted for 4mm at a cost of £48
for 1300x750.

I got some 530x330x10mm steel plates a while back from the local steam
railway engineering shop - I think they just ordered them in from
somewhere in Plymouth who laser cut them out. Cost me £32+VAT each, so
given the size of yours vs. the size of mine, I suspect your deal is OK.


One more question - about preventing rust. I don't want to paint it so
plan to give it a coat of hard wax polish every now and again - is there
a better approach?

My plates go into a oven (of the cooking variety), so I just sanded them
down, covered in (vegetable) oil and "seasoned" them to 300C a few times.

Gordon

wrote in message
...
On 24/11/2015 21:31, wrote:
I'm "improving" my 1300x750 metalwork bench and want to put a steel
plate on the double layer (about 80mm) chipboard top. Metal Supermarkets
£85+VAT for a 6mm plate - is there anywhere to get steel plate at a
significantly better price?

Thanks, folks, for making me rethink - I opted for 4mm at a cost of £48
for 1300x750.
One more question - about preventing rust. I don't want to paint it so
plan to give it a coat of hard wax polish every now and again - is there a
better approach?

Get stainless instead.