What is the best workbench surface?

wd2crv · #1 2010-06-22, 6:55am

Hi everyone! I am setting up my studio and I have a lovely big workbench that is currently plywood. I want to cover it with something that will not burn and will be safe and will be cost effective. What do you use? I do have some 12 x 12 tiles left over but if I tile it, will I be able to secure the torch with screws? I have a creation station that I guess I would need to clamp to the table?

Are there better options than tile (sheet metal is too costly at the moment)? Thanks for your input!

glassactcc · #2 2010-06-22, 7:31am

I used 12x12 black tile. I love the black because I can really see the flame. I have worked on light surfaces before, and they really impair my ability to see the flame so I would suggest you use something dark. It was Home Depot cheep and holds up very well.

WorldGlass · #3 2010-06-22, 7:32am

Tile might work ok, I recommend sheet metal. It is expensive but you just need a litte bit. and it doesn't have to be really thick stuff either. Check your local hardware store for sales. good luck!

Copperrein · #4 2010-06-22, 7:52am

Sheet metal is good and it's not expensive...you gotta know what to call it. Look for 'flashing' I got a 20" x 15' roll for $10. They also sell copper sheet flashing which I think was about $30 for 20"x15'...that's 20 inches by 15 feet...

remember to wear gloves tho...it's springy and very sharp.

wd2crv · #5 2010-06-22, 8:18am

Thanks everyone - I'm going to look for that flashing!! The sheet metal guy wanted $200 to do a bench, then his price went down to $130 as I walked out

but that is still too expensive!

I like the idea of black tiles too - hmmm....off to the store!

GlassyEyedGirl · #6 2010-06-22, 8:52am

Sometimes you can ask HVAC people for scraps. I have gotten some free before.

echeveria · #7 2010-06-22, 8:52am

I have flashing nailed to one table, and a piece of durarock sitting on another. I like the durarock because it does not get hot.

Lorraine Chandler · #8 2010-06-22, 9:20am

You can use the metal to cover the whole bench and then put the black tiles in a 1.5 square foot area just around the torch so you can see everything really well and have the best of both.

Copperrein · #9 2010-06-22, 9:45am

What's duralock?

echeveria · #10 2010-06-22, 10:14am

Durarock, cement backer board, got it at Lowes.

wd2crv · #11 2010-06-24, 8:13am

Thanks for the ideas - I'm going to go with a combination of flashing and black tile!

GlassGalore · #12 2010-06-28, 10:14am

My bench is 12 x 12 ceramic tiled. I layed out the tiles along the front edge of the bench first (dry fit) and determined where the torch would be mounted. Then I marked the tile for the screw holes I'd need and had DH drill holes using a diamond-tipped drill bit (water cooled!). Once I had the tile pre-drilled without cracking, I was good to go with tiling the bench.

cheng076 · #13 2010-06-30, 10:50am

I use the 'Durarock' or Hardie Board here and paint it black with high heat BBQ paint. Easy to cut and fit. I then have a large shallow cake/cookie pan from Costco ($7 or $8, 20" x 30"plus x 3/4" deep) in front of the torch to catch flying bits/pieces and it usually becomes a catch all area but is easy to pick up and dump out. Never had any burning problems but I do get some slight smell when a red hot piece falls on the hardie board and cools.
PJH

Shrimp · #14 2010-06-30, 12:23pm

Stainless steel from an old pub kitchen.

Mr. Meker · #15 2010-06-30, 8:27pm

Dont use flashing. Chances are that its galvanized, which will make you sick if you drop hot glass on it. Go with hardie backer (best) or tiles. Hardie backer is around $12 for 6'x4'.

KEW · #16 2010-06-30, 9:30pm

My bench is stainless steel sheet (from McMaster-Carr) on plywood and I have one 4" black marble piece on the diagonal just under the torch tip.

one hot beader · #17 2010-07-01, 12:24am

I've got large tiles on mine.

I have the creation station clamped down with 3 G clamps.

Feels solid and sturdy.

Kevan · #18 2010-07-01, 12:34am

I covered mine (well my DH did it in reality) with tile backer board. It's really cheap and it's not flammable. It's not the cheaper kind that looks like cement with some kind of mesh, it's light colored completely flat and isn't dusty. It costs like $8 for a 3x5' sheet. He used it to cover the walls behind my torch area and built the hood enclosure.
It cost about $25 to do the whole thing and it was done in a couple of hours.

kbinkster · #19 2010-07-01, 12:47am

I use the Hardibacker board for my bench top and vent hood enclosure, too.

You can always throw a few black tiles or a big black marvering pad down in front of your torch if you have trouble seeing the flame.

Kevan · #20 2010-07-01, 2:46am

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbinkster

I use the Hardibacker board for my bench top and vent hood enclosure, too.

You can always throw a few black tiles or a big black marvering pad down in front of your torch if you have trouble seeing the flame.

Great minds...

cheng076 · #21 2010-07-01, 10:04am

There seems to be some disagreement about the cost of sheet metal. Consumer hardware stores, in this area, are usually 200% to 300% higher in price for sheet metal than a commercial supplier. I use Metal Supermarket for all my metal needs. They will cut and sell any size you need. If they are not available then almost all areas have a HVAC duct work mfg or sheet metal supplier. They are usually good about cutting smaller pieces and may even have a scrap piece very nominally priced. The comment about galvanized metal is correct.. you will want to use stainless steel or what us older guys call black iron... completely uncoated steel. Then just paint it with BBQ high heat paint.
HTH, PJH